My Dear friends and family,
I thank you all for attending today.
I am not going to ruin your day with sadness, but rather celebrate the life of a man who was the heart and soul of the G**** family.
My father lived for ninety good years, enduring good times and hardship, rewards and disappointments, trials and tribulations, much as we all have in our lives.
But through all of those times, both the good and the bad, he faced life with courage and strength, dignity and compassion for all, infecting everyone he met with his good nature and down to earth sense of humor.
He was a dedicated husband and father, working tirelessly to provide for his family and employees, always a stickler for duty and honor and honesty.
He spoke the truth, even when it was not the easiest option, but would not beat you over the head with it. Rather he'd tell you with sympathy and kindness, knowing that it was the right thing to do.
He inspired everyone around him to do the same, knowing that karma pays back what you give. “As ye sow so shall ye reap,” the bible tells us.
In return, he received unconditional love from almost everyone who knew him.
His final year was the hardest, as we all now know, but through it all we endured as a family and never forsook him and did whatever we could to ease his burden.
Now his pain has ended, and he has rejoined our mother in whatever peace there is to be found in the afterlife, and yes, we do mourn his passing.
But the life lessons he taught all of us shall remain in our hearts for the remainder of our days, and hopefully infect others with our own loving and generous spirits.
We love you papa, and you shall never be forgotten as long as our own hearts beat on.
