Home » The PARIS Forums » PARIS: Main » RIP - My Dad
| RIP - My Dad [message #69069] |
Wed, 07 June 2006 17:54  |
Don Nafe
Messages: 1206
Registered: July 2005
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Senior Member |
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Hey All
I thought you should know that my Dad finally passed away from complications
due to ALS. He put up one helluva fight
My Dad was a tough but fair military man from the old school yet he mellowed
with the times and was a complete push over when he was around his
Grandchildren. He never fully agreed with many of the choices I made in life
but respected me for pursing them and was always there when I needed him,
which was more than once.
I can proudly say he was a pretty good musician in his day. Tenor sax was
his axe of choice but he could wail on piano and during the late 40's and
early 50's had at least three bands going, from little combo's to huge big
band jazz bands. As he used to say "it kept roast beef on our table when
others were eating hamburger"
I had the privilege of playing with him in the eighties when the big band he
was in needed a fill in drummer while their drummer recovered from major
heart surgery...very cool time indeed and I do believe I earned his respect
as a musician, I know my respect for him increased immeasurably.
Another amazing music moment happened when our family went out west to
attend my cousin's wedding...Dad's two brothers and their families were all
there, as well as my grandmother...anyway the day after the wedding the
whole crew went down to my Uncle's basement, hauled out every musical
instrument we could get our hands on and started to jam...Dad on sax, my two
uncles were on piano and trumpet, my cousins were on organ, guitar and bass
and I was on the drums....and there sitting in the corner of the room was my
grandmother...with tears of joy running down her cheeks...to say it was
magical would be an understatement.
Shortly after Dad was admitted into the hospital I got a chance to sit with
him and do that Father and son thing...I had to tell him how I truly felt
about him no matter how hard it was...you see Dad was never big on showing
emotion or saying I love you but we sure let it all out that day. Tears of
sadness, love and joy were shed by the bucketful and I am truly grateful for
that day.
In the end he refused the IV that was his life support and after 12 days his
body finally gave out.
I will miss the old fart.
Peace
Don
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