Loss......

	On August 6, 2015 my family lost our Patriarch. This was a huge loss to my family.  My Uncle was a very strong burly man. Throughout his life he survived a few heart attacks, prostrate cancer, bladder cancer and it was lung cancer that finally took him. Though to be fair, he beat the lung cancer, but just before he passed it was discovered that it had returned. He lived a very long full life. He was 87 years old. In his mid-teens he joined the Merchant Marines and when he became of age to do so, he joined the US Army where he proudly served his country during World War II.
In the early 70’s he served as Commander of the local VFW where he did many good deeds for the city. We grew up as a very close knit family. There were 7 houses on our street and my maternal side of the family all lived there at one point or another. In 1970 my Grandfather passed away and it was my uncle who became the one we all looked to when we needed him. He was always there. He was a hearty man as well. He enjoyed throwing parties and family gatherings. He would dress up as Santa Claus when we were kids every year.  You knew if he was there it was going to be a good time. He worked nearly his entire life to support his family and give them everything he could. I live 8 hours away from where he lived. I hadn’t seen him in 5 years. This year, I was able to pull enough money together with the help of friends to be able to drive down and visit him. I knew it would be the last time I would ever see him, as he was already ill at that time.  It wasn’t easy…. In fact it was harder than I expected it to be. I was just glad to see him smile and laugh. Shortly after I headed home he was getting sicker and sicker and faded away. It came on pretty fast. I kept in close contact with my cousins to see how he was doing. I was able to Facetime him 2 days before he passed and I was in shock at how much he withered away… it was heartbreaking. I wasn’t able to go to the wake or funeral. I stayed behind here at home to watch my Sisters dogs so that she could travel down and represent the family. He was buried with full Military Honors. I loved my Uncle very much. His loss hit me very hard. Losing him was the end of an era in my family and he will forever be missed. Rest in Peace Uncle Artie… Until we meet again! Love, Jaided
Me with my Uncle 5/2015