This is the collage I made for that day.
http://home.comcast.net/~ruggirello/collage.jpg

I'm taking it pretty good considering.

I was at one of our new school projects yesterday afternoon. It was the first day of school and I was making sure there were no computer issues when my cell phone rang showing my dad's home number.

When the voice on the other end was a strange ladies I knew something was wrong. Plus she wanted to know if I was sitting down. I knew he was dead before she said the words.

One of my sisters is in Mexico on vacation which sucks but is probably in route back to Michigan. I heard she will be back tomorrow.

Anyway we are planning a viewing Thursday and Friday with the funeral on Saturday. We will have a party afterwards to honor him which is something he would have wanted plus it's an Sicilian tradtion.

I thought about not posting something this personal here but hell you guys/girls are like family.

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“I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.”

“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”

Hang in there Cac,

I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts.

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I am working again today. It seems keeping busy is my way of dealing with it. Everyone does it their own way.

My younger brother and one sister are taking it real bad. At least they are showing it more.

I am glad he lived a long and healthy life and was self sufficient right to the end.

In fact he and his girlfriend went dancing once or twice a week, etc. He went to more social events on a regular basis than Steph and I.

Steph is taking it pretty hard too. She had gotten quite close to him this last year when he moved to a senior-ish condo only a half-mile from our home. She would walk over (sometimes with me) to visit him or drop off some food.

My father really liked Steph and would tell me almost every time I saw him how lucky I am to have such a great wife.

When all three of us were together those two would whisper things back and forth then laugh out loud, no doubt at my expense.

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He was born 12-13-1913
He was released from WW2 on the 13th
His mom died on the 13th

A bunch of other things happened to him on the 13th so he would play the lottery centered on the number 13.

He would play the 4 digit lotto numbers like 1313, 1213, 1913, etc.

Well sure enough he died on the 13th.

That day while driving home I thought that he would want me to play the date he died 0913 or 1213, etc. I felt to crappy that day and decided not to play any numbers even though he would have wanted me to.

Sure enough that day 09-13 came in boxed 3019, which would have paid $1,250.00 per every dollar bet. If it came in the exact order it would have paid $5,000.00 per dollar.

I played a few variations of last night 1313, 1213 & 1913 and the number that came in was close at 1383 but since one digit was off it pays zip.

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quote:

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Originally posted by AcidWarp:
My condolences Cac.

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Double that.

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quote:

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Originally posted by FS:
Wow, I can't believe I'm agreeing with FS on this one

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I know it's sad to think about, but be thankful you have such fond memories and got to spend so much time with him..

Your positive thoughts/suggestions/condolences are helpful.

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Thanks guys!

Max – Sounds good, thanks.

40 – Sorry to hear about your mom and thanks for the kind words.

We wrapped up the 3 day ordeal today with everyone (immediate family) coming to our house after the funeral and lunch.

Amazingly we had almost 20 people with Steph and I and had enough chairs, etc.

We had so many gift food type baskets to split up. Plus I had bought a bunch of food to allow people to come to our house during the visitation days and get a break and to eat. I had to give a bunch of that away too.

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I am very sorry about the passing of your father. Others have echoed the very things in this thread that are going through my heart currently, so let me just say this:

My thoughts are with you and Steph. I wish you both all the best.

O

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He beat the average life expectancy age for men by a significant number.

Death is a difficult thing to handle. I had a young relative die in an auto accident (hit and run) 4 months ago and I still break into tears almost every day thinking about what a waste it was. At least your father lived a long life. My relative never even had the chance to see her fourth birthday. Good thing the guy was never caught because I honestly believe I would hunt him down and kill him and spend the next 20 years in prison.