This just in.

[farti1]

So sorry for your loss, Phil. My Dad passed 2 years ago at age 76.....thank God for all the good memories and that they are both in a better place now.
Take care, Gary

[Jason O'Lewa]

i see you all know that my grandpa passed away sunday
he went to the hospital tuesday but came home friday and took me to his place to put air in the tires of his cars and tractors or at least check the air
start them up to make sure they get run a bit
he does that every few weeks even in the winter but he didnt think he should neel down and check air pressure so I did it
he didnt want to open hoods and check the oil so he had me pull the sticks and show him and then start the cars
he definitly couldnt clime upon a tractor to start them so I did that then we went to pizza hut

saturday he came over to watch my brother and my sister so I could go to my roller hockey game my mom and dad and I got home about 2 and my granpa had made lunch for us all

everything was fine
then sunday morning at about 630 my dad probably figured I was asleep but I heard him run downstairs and drove away like a bat out of hell

then he came back about noon to tell us what happened

[Classicblast]

I know I posted once already but I'd like to reaffirm once more just how badly I feel for you, Phil and for Jason. And Jason at least is 13 years old, his brothers and sisters are considerably younger and I realize your family is close and I'm sure since you all live within a local region that it looks as if their grandfather saw them everyday or almost everyday.

Its going to be worse for them. It probably already is. My father isn't much behind yours and Farti1's my father turned 74 shortly before the year ended. So he's getting to be up in years too.

Obviously some people live into their 90s but once we get to the mid 70s we really have to be aware that at any time our name can be called by the Heavens.

And Jason there's memories with your grandfather you will never forget.

[thunderbird]

I don't like to look like Im double posting but I'd hate to neglect a discussion of this importance.
So I'll just mention again that I am very sad of the news. I know how much Classic and the rest of the participants of lewasite think highly of Phil and Jason.

[Kimm]

Im thinking about you Phil and Jason and Alan too.

[Beangirl]

Jason? You are a number one Grandson. Your Grandpa is smiling down at you right now and is so very proud of you. He will watch after you and your family forever. :)He loves you all.

[fartinggurl]

I posted this in the general discussion topic, but I'll post it again. So sorry for your loss. Your entire family is in my thoughts.

[Classicblast]

I know I've already commented but I have not stopped thinking about you and your family. After this many years I really feel as if I know you.

[Phil]

We placed dad in the ground Wednesday and I did not work Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night.

I hurried over and tried to pull him back Sunday morning when my mother called me but he had already died. I can't tell you what an empty feeling I have as we were very close. That's not to say that I don't have other priorities such as work, a wife, children and numerous other things to occupy my time. But that void will never be filled.

But I still must thank the numerous people who have sent their support on this forum and on facebook and in person. Friends and neighbors have been remarkably supportive.

[Classicblast]

Well Phil that's a void that can never really be replaced. And I don't think anything will ease things. Time might draw acceptance but you will always miss your father.

[Phil]

[Phil]

I'm still feeling pretty empty. We're not sure what we're going to do with his old cars and tractors, and the building he keeps them in. Theres a few cars there that are storage that will continue to generate rent for my mother for now.

Its still going to be Jason's job to go over there and start the engines, check oil and make sure tires are inflated.

[Beangirl]

Give yourself some time Phil. The shock will wear of in a few weeks and you will be able to see a little clearer. Again, I am so sorry.

[Phil]

So far I've stopped by his grave everyday. Sometimes I stand over the grave and actually talk to him. That might seem morbid but that's what I've been doing. I started wearing his watch too. With cell phones I haven't bothered to wear a watch cause the phone tells the time but now I feel differently.

[Classicblast]

Jan 27, 2011 12:56:40 GMT -5 Beangirl said:

Give yourself some time Phil. The shock will wear of in a few weeks and you will be able to see a little clearer. Again, I am so sorry.

I don't know exactly what you're going through but its coming sooner or later it does for everybody. I imagine you're the main go to guy in your family at a time like this. The oldest usually is. No matter how grown you all are.

Obviously I'm 36 years old and have lived away from my family for the better part of 15 years. You could argue that I went home off seasons until I was 26 so my permanent address was my parents home. But still gives me 10 years of my permanent residence being a different state from my home. However I'm the youngest of the three of us and I'm 36 but we still look to Thunderbird as the spokesman in a dispute or in a time where a decision is made.

I would bet that falls to Phil in his family. Maybe more so because there's a larger age gap to him and his siblings.

Obviously that means that some of it not all of the arrangements fell to you and some decisions that need to be made your mother would seek your help a little more than the others. I know that would be the case in my family Thunderbird would be the one that falls upon.

[Jersey]

First I must apologize for being this late to the discussion. Graduate school really caught up with me in the last week and I've barely had time to be online.

Nevertheless, I am very sorry for your loss Phil.

[Jason O'Lewa]

thanks jersey its pretty hard for us

[Jason O'Lewa]

at the wake I rubbed my grandpas hair and somewhat toubhed his forhead and of course they put that powder stuff on flesh to give it some color and I kind of touched his shoulder a bit
i said to my dad that we need to brush the dust of my hand print off grandpas shoulder

my dad said leave it he wood love to take your hand print with him
its a interesting thought I think