Patterico's Pontifications

3/17/2008

Happy Birthday to My Dad

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 12:01 am



As I have done every March 17 since I started this blog, I am wishing my Dad a Happy Birthday.

He would have been 83. Ever since we lost him on December 6, 2005, it has been a tradition for me to wear his shamrock bow tie on his birthday, and today is no exception.

We’ll raise a glass to your memory tonight, Dad.

17 Responses to “Happy Birthday to My Dad”

  1. Pat,
    We lost my dad this year too. Same day our boy came home from Iraq. For us it was “A long goodbye” if you understand that.
    My dad didn’t wear Bow ties (Thank God!…LOL) But we smoke a cigar and “play the ponies” for him.
    Dad owned and ran Luncheonettes his enitre life. I hope he runs into yours and makes him a nice breakfast.
    I hope that’s what Heaven is. Getting to do what you love, forever.
    Happy Birthday Mr. Frey and stop in Irv’s place and have a good breakfast.

    paul from fl (47918a)

  2. Thank you for sharing your Dad with us.

    I’m lucky enough to be seeing my Dad later in the week, but you’ve reminded me just how special he is, and how little time to share with him I have remaining.

    Thanks again.

    EW1(SG) (84e813)

  3. May his memory be eternal, Patterico.

    nk (8a8387)

  4. And Happy Name Day to you.

    nk (8a8387)

  5. You are most fortunate, Patterico, to have been blessed by such a father, just as your own children are by you. Tis the most important and easiest of all family traditions to teach our children and pass down.

    I, too, miss my own dear father more than words could ever relate.

    Lang may your lum reek, Patterico.

    EHeavenlyGads (f29174)

  6. “Raise a glass to his memory” — and sing an especially appropriate song, The Parting Glass, one that twangs my heartstrings.

    dchamil (793092)

  7. Lost my Dad last March…so, one year has been an eternity….

    Never know what you really miss till….

    Much love to you and yours on your Father’s B-day….green beer for all in his memory, and the memory of all Father’s today….and every day…

    reff (bff229)

  8. P,

    Last week was my retirement ceremony from the Navy (I served for 26 years). During my speech, I gave thanks for my success to my Dad, who retired in the 70’s from the Navy. He taught me a few things on how to treat people, some of which seem to be missing in today’s society:

    1. Treat everyone fairly.
    2. Some of your best ideas come from your most junior people.
    3. Praise in public, criticize in private.
    4. Give credit where credit is due.
    and last but not least
    5. It takes a College Degree to break it, and a high school diploma to fix it!

    My Dad passed away on February 17, 1999 – and I still miss him to this day…

    fmfnavydoc (affdec)

  9. Happy Birthday, sir.

    Leviticus (43c5d0)

  10. if you were an authentic irishman, you wouldn’t wait until tonight to raise a glass in his memory. a drink doesn’t know what time it is.

    assistant devil's advocate (b6d44f)

  11. A morning toast, (of course with a latte, no added irish), to your father, and to you as well for honoring him in this public manner.

    TC (1cf350)

  12. To you and yours, Patterico.

    htom (412a17)

  13. I’d give anything to have a talk with my dad.

    A toast to both.

    steve (78bde2)

  14. I lost my father suddenly in April of 2000, and think of him virtually every day to this day. We all lament not having had a chance to say “I Love You” to our parents, but the truth is, you had that chance almost every day they were alive — you just didn’t realize that it would be such a gift at the time.

    On my father’s birthday, the entire family (youngsters, too) raise a glass of my Dad’s famous Pa-Tini (the grandkids called him ‘Pa’, and he was known to have an adult beverage every once in a while, like every day at precisely 12:00noon). It’s rather tough to choke one of those down, particularly when you’re a wine drinker instead, but it’s the least I can do to honor his memory. I know that he’s having a “snort” somewhere, so I just pretend that I’m having one with him.

    I hadn’t realized until my own kids grew up how much he had shaped my life, and theirs, and how thankful I am for that now. I pray that he hears me say that to anyone who will listen, and that he’s in heaven saying “You see — the old man isn’t so dumb after all, huh?”

    Patterico, may your grief be lessened somehow by the good wishes of your closest (and your furthest) friends, and your knowledge that you are still a part of your “old man”.

    Drewski (89009c)

  15. What a lovely tribute to your father, Patterico. That our own children will remember us with such fondness, too…

    paul from fl #1, you brought a tear to my eye. A heavenly luncheonette where joy and kindness are served!

    Dana (0a0cf2)

  16. Thanks for that. I visited my 83 year old father on Thursday. He lives with my sister, son-in-law and two of his grandchildren, but he has never, ever said, “I am tired of talking to you today.” so I will make the time to see him again this week, and the week after that, and the week after that.

    tyree (62d882)

  17. Best wishes to you and your family.

    DRJ (a431ca)


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