Good to Great! The world lost a good man this week on 9/21/16. A child of the depression, he had witnessed an incredible litany of changes in the world during his 90 plus years. Much that formed him came from life experienced in his early years. His family lived outside of town; and he helped his father with chores and raising crops for food. While helping his father do those chores, he started to acquire many of his handy-man capabilities—he could do it all—carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting—there was nothing he couldn’t do or wouldn’t tackle. He learned hard work, integrity, honesty and loyalty. He learned the lesson of “waste not, want not”—he always cleaned his plate at dinner and we were taught the same. So, he was a good boy, doing as he was supposed to do. Two of Dad’s Aunts were elementary school as teachers—besides having both of them in different years, he had their friends in other years—so, needless to say, he was a fair-haired student and had little choice but to be a good boy--again, doing as he was supposed to do. As he moved into his teen years the world was working its way toward WW II. Indeed, as soon as the boys could graduate they were off to do battle with the Germans and the Japanese—again, a good young man, doing what he was supposed to do. And, Mom, along with so many women, went to work in the factories, to do their part to fuel the war machine. Dad was in the Merchant Marine—he was a part of D-Day that launched the Invasion of Europe. His ship was among those run-aground north of the beaches, to provide a breakfront, and smoother waters for the landing vehicles. A scary and great day in world history—Dad was there—again, a good man, doing his duty. As Tom Brokaw has called them, the Greatest Generation—they were on a mission to save the world from tyranny. As the war ended, he was fortunate to be among the men and women who returned home, to got on with life and be part of building a new America. He went to work in the factory where Mom had worked during the war—they met there, and before long, they were headed to the altar. Soon after, Dad got a chance to work in the steel mill, as did many of his predecessors and contemporaries. He’d come home from his shift covered in soot—it wasn’t glamorous work, but, it was a good, honest living and gave him the best opportunity to support his growing family. Again, a good man, doing what was right, and what came natural. Mom came from a large Italian, Catholic family (13 kids) whose parents had immigrated to America through Ellis Island—Dad was a Protestant, whose family was a “Heinz 57” (Dad’s words) of Western European countries—his family settled in Western Pennsylvania and then moved to the Ohio Valley to work in the steel mills. Again, Dad did the right thing—he converted to Catholicism for the sake of family unity—a good man, doing what needed to be done. Mom and Dad didn’t waste any time—their first 3 children were born within 4 years of their wedding. As was the case with many of their contemporaries—large family gatherings on Sundays at the homestead of Mom’s family became the norm--and, among the fondest memories for all of us. Dad and all the brothers played cards, horseshoes and did men things. Mom and her sisters, along with their Mother, cooked, sewed and did the women things. The kids just had a fantastic time playing and observing our parents and enjoying family life—those were wonderful times in a much simpler and more innocent world. Dad’s brother, sister and Mother had moved to Indianapolis for better business opportunities. A friend of the family became the Personnel Manager at Allison Division of General Motors. Needing a man of Dad’s skills, he reached out to Dad and offered him a job. So, Dad and oldest son headed to Indianapolis to begin the next chapter in their life, in 1955. Dad would work at Allison for the next 30 years before retiring. The family, after spending one year living in Franklin, moved to the Meadowood subdivision in Speedway in the fall of 1956. Dad never moved from that home, and has been a member of this parish since that time, always active and doing what was needed to help the church grow and prosper. Yes, he was a good man. A dashing, strapping young man, became a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He worked hard and never sought any glory for himself. He was the strong, silent type—like a rock—much like one of his movie favorites, John Wayne. He ascended to General Foreman at Allison, as high as he could advance with only a HS education. He was never very social—we realized that it was Mom who kept all the social activities happening. In his last year, with failing health, he became relatively reclusive. Mom pulled a fast one on him and exited 3.5 years ahead of him—not how he had it planned! He was more than a good father, he was great. (He was strict, and cracked our behinds; he hardly ever missed an activity of any of us and our kids.). He was also a great husband—just to survive 66 years with one partner is a testament to that. He did a great job at his work, and at anything he attempted to do. He was a great teacher and always set a proper example—loyal to his family, relatives and friends. He was a great provider—which was his role back in that era. So, when you add up a lifetime of “good”, in the final analysis, you get “great”! Not famous, not rich—just salt of the earth who lived life the right way—and paved the way for three generations to follow his lead. Hopefully, his 4 children, his 8 grand kids and his 7 great-grand kids will do enough “good” in the world to properly honor his memory! Yep, Dad’s an example of doing enough “Good” in the world to become a “Great” asset to the world! That was our Dad! In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Paul’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675 or online at www.support.woundedwarriorproject.com