Brother in law “Uncle Ted” When someone passes, we try to remember the best of their lives as we knew it and share the “good memories” of that person with family and friends, so that goodness and happy memories will shine in all our hearts forever. No one can ever say Ted wasn’t a funny guy sharing jokes and kidding with everyone all the time. Some of his kidding got to the point, that you wanted to hit him in the head with his bronze spittoone! (A gift to him from the bank I was working at the time, which I think he still had for 30 years!) Ozzie he was not, but he was “One of a kind!” You just got used to his humor, and had to know him for who he was, or you had to beat him to it with a better “come back”, which wasn’t easy. He usually got the last crack in! I remember him taking us water skiing at the lake house and all the fun we had with the family. Those were fun days for all of us. And when the family visited in Connecticut , we all had great times together we will all remember, like at Jude’s cottage. Rich remembers when he was little, that Ted made all of the kids eat their “turnip greens” which, of course, they all hated and tried to hide them or stick them under their plates. He still hates them to this day. He also had lots of fun with Ted (Long overdue apology now to Pam) when he and Ted went out “Partying” when he was in the Navy. Each of them a “Bad influence” on each other. No excuses. We were always welcome at their home with open arms. I will always remember the wedding gift they gave us (a beautiful comforter) when I first met the family on our way to Florida in 73, and Susan was a baby in her high chair. You treated us so well. I remember choking on his cigarette smoke for years when we visited-for which I am glad to forget. I remember he got “Stuck” in our water bed at our house in Florida while us girls (Jude, Pam & I ) went out on the town. My neighbors probably still do too, after all these years. Too funny! I am glad he was somewhat of a “Hoarder” and Garge Sale King-worse than me, if that is possible-I was happy to see. Every time you visited, he was collecting something else and fun to revel in his treasures, although a little hard to get around and find a chair. I remember the “Hot Sauce” he used to pour on all his food wondering how he could eat it. (Until his stomach couldn’t take it anymore as he got older) Quitting the hot sauce probably gave him a lot more years! I used to think he would burn to death from the inside out. He was amazing. Most of all, we all remember the “Canning Jar Joke” and hoping all forget that as time goes by. Our hearts and prayers now to Pam and family for their endless love, understanding, scrafices and the good care for Ted as he fought long and hard to his last breath to be with his family. He really loved you all in his own way. I closed my eyes tonight, maybe a dream. I’m not sure. I saw a single white dove fly off into the sun and rainbow, and even more sure that I “softly” heard in a whisper, “Pam! Leaving you lots of love and many thanks for our life together and our family. I wish I said it more. You know that you were my rock. You were always there for me through it all. (Till death do us part) I knew that in my heart. Peace to you now and enjoy your time before you are called. I will save you a golden pedestal that you truly deserve and all will be good again in time. I’ll be waiting for you. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to appreciate what you always had. You will never walk alone. Peacefully I passed with joy in my heart, thanks to you and our family. Quietly I walk the path through the woods I loved, to brightness.