Monday, January 14, 2019
Dear Dana ,Denise , Richie and Auntie Marce I am so sorry for your loss . I know how frail your dad had become as a result of his failing health and the end was inevitable , but we are never truely prepaired to say goodby to one so dear to our heart . I was so sad to hear that Uncle Thom had passed away but it didn't realy sink in untill I seen his picture in the paper and then the tears came pouring out . Along with a flood of wonderful memories of a dear Uncle whom I always held in very high esteem . One of my earliest memories was when I was about four years old . I was playing croquet in your back yard and I went to hit the wooden ball with the mallet , the head was loose on the mallet and when I followed through with my swing it flew off the handle and sailed some thirty feet through the glass payne of your back door . It was one of those moments you never forget . Time stood still as I watched it sail through the air and I knew it was going through that window even before it got there . Followed by a spectacular crash , then all eyes were on me . I remember feeling an instant sense of dread as Aunt Marce came out of the house with the end of the mallet in her hand wondering what the hell just happened . Then Uncle Thom came walking over as Richie was laughing and pointing at me . I'm sure he knew I must have been terrified . He just gave me a rub on the top of the head and said " don't worry about it kid , those things come off all the time " . My mom and dad offered to pay for the window but he wouldn't hear of it . When it came to life Thom was always a good sport , and I am truely blessed to have had his influence in my life . He liked his booze , he liked his cigarettes , the comaraderie of friends , but most of all he loved his family . For me one of the things that defined him the most was his sense of loyalty to those he loved . You always knew Thommy was on your side " no matter what " . Now that Thommys' life has come to pass I will celebrate a life well lived by a truely good man , and his spirit will walk with me for the rest of my days . Lots of love always , Cousin Scott and family .
