Hello, thank you for sharing this part of your journey with your father. It was touching and beautiful, and it made me truly appreciate what I have now and the people in my life. May your parents rest in peace, and I hope you and your brother are doing well.
Stumbled onto this today, March 14, 2025 - I couldn't stop till I read all four parts! I'm one of those religious nuts, so you may be sad to know you inspired me to stop for a minute to say a little prayer for all those children who weren't (or aren't) lucky enough to have dads like ours. This is a beautiful piece of writing, thank you for sharing.
Steve, I didn’t have the social skills to truly appreciate your dad when we first met at Yale, but did grasp how much you loved and respected him! What I remember about his effect on teenagers was him filling up our soph-year room with his physical presence, and that his wisecracks were reliably acerbic. Until seeing the photo you chose, I didn’t realize how much you resembled each other. And, because of your lovely essay, I now see why it’s fitting that you began your dream jobs at about the same time, Greg
I couldn’t wait for tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow – I listened to all four parts of your story today
I remember your father being big and tall, and had the deep voice of authority. Although I didn’t know Uncle Clare all that much, but the times we did gather at family events I got to know a little of the gentle man inside. He had a way of making me feel comfortable around him.
Although bittersweet, thanks for sharing your story. It took me on a trip down memory lane of many years ago living in Franklin.
God bless you and your family Steve.
I look forward to listening to more of your Bits and Pieces.
Nice! I am sorry for your loss. You captured their lives so magically it was a gift from the both of them to you and John. I will cherish all the memories I had of them and add yours to mine.
Steve, incredibly moving and beautifully written. My Dad went bankrupt also, but when I was 7 or 8. I remember his crying, literally crying, when buddy Hackett was on the Tonight Show. Dad was a GREAT story teller, Irish salesman. Passed at 84, from lung cancer. During the last few days of hospice, I looked up Jewish jokes on google and read them for him. He was raised Catholic, but grew up in The Bronx. He sounded like your Dad until I went to college, and then he became super liberal. Part of this was a result of my rooming with Kevin Gardner, and my parents getting to know Kevin, who is an amazing man, and his parents. We were blessed. Best, Bill
Oh man Steve, well done my friend. I really enjoyed every part, but especially Part 4. In some ways, Dads are universal, as much of your story was similar to my Dad’s story. But fortunately, each is wonderfully unique. Touching. Well done my friend.
Steve: I very much enjoyed this tribute to your Dad. Spending the time at the end together is a special thing. My father was 86 when he passed on Halloween a few years ago. Thanks for your stories. Musky
Like you and your brother, I saw it coming, and wanted to hold on to this good person, if only in the written word, for much longer. You and John did the right thing, and I'm sure your dad was grateful. Powerful work. Beautifully written. Thank you for writing this.
Really enjoyed learning more about your Dad, Steve. It made me think about, and appreciate in another way, my Dad and our experiences with him, as well.
Hello, thank you for sharing this part of your journey with your father. It was touching and beautiful, and it made me truly appreciate what I have now and the people in my life. May your parents rest in peace, and I hope you and your brother are doing well.
Stumbled onto this today, March 14, 2025 - I couldn't stop till I read all four parts! I'm one of those religious nuts, so you may be sad to know you inspired me to stop for a minute to say a little prayer for all those children who weren't (or aren't) lucky enough to have dads like ours. This is a beautiful piece of writing, thank you for sharing.
Steve, I didn’t have the social skills to truly appreciate your dad when we first met at Yale, but did grasp how much you loved and respected him! What I remember about his effect on teenagers was him filling up our soph-year room with his physical presence, and that his wisecracks were reliably acerbic. Until seeing the photo you chose, I didn’t realize how much you resembled each other. And, because of your lovely essay, I now see why it’s fitting that you began your dream jobs at about the same time, Greg
Yep… the pic you posted, that’s the Uncle Clare I remember.
I couldn’t wait for tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow – I listened to all four parts of your story today
I remember your father being big and tall, and had the deep voice of authority. Although I didn’t know Uncle Clare all that much, but the times we did gather at family events I got to know a little of the gentle man inside. He had a way of making me feel comfortable around him.
Although bittersweet, thanks for sharing your story. It took me on a trip down memory lane of many years ago living in Franklin.
God bless you and your family Steve.
I look forward to listening to more of your Bits and Pieces.
Thank you, Barbie. That means a lot.
Nice! I am sorry for your loss. You captured their lives so magically it was a gift from the both of them to you and John. I will cherish all the memories I had of them and add yours to mine.
Mary! Thank you! Hope you are well.
Beautifully told. Your father's memory is a blessing.
Steve, incredibly moving and beautifully written. My Dad went bankrupt also, but when I was 7 or 8. I remember his crying, literally crying, when buddy Hackett was on the Tonight Show. Dad was a GREAT story teller, Irish salesman. Passed at 84, from lung cancer. During the last few days of hospice, I looked up Jewish jokes on google and read them for him. He was raised Catholic, but grew up in The Bronx. He sounded like your Dad until I went to college, and then he became super liberal. Part of this was a result of my rooming with Kevin Gardner, and my parents getting to know Kevin, who is an amazing man, and his parents. We were blessed. Best, Bill
Thanks for sharing that, Bill. We were blessed.
Oh man Steve, well done my friend. I really enjoyed every part, but especially Part 4. In some ways, Dads are universal, as much of your story was similar to my Dad’s story. But fortunately, each is wonderfully unique. Touching. Well done my friend.
"All this time....I'd been doing my Dad." I love this whole piece, but especially that last line.
Steve: I very much enjoyed this tribute to your Dad. Spending the time at the end together is a special thing. My father was 86 when he passed on Halloween a few years ago. Thanks for your stories. Musky
Like you and your brother, I saw it coming, and wanted to hold on to this good person, if only in the written word, for much longer. You and John did the right thing, and I'm sure your dad was grateful. Powerful work. Beautifully written. Thank you for writing this.
Really enjoyed learning more about your Dad, Steve. It made me think about, and appreciate in another way, my Dad and our experiences with him, as well.
Beautifully-written. I was checking my in box to see if the new installment was available. I really enjoyed getting to know your father.
Beautiful tribute
A profound pleasure. Thank you for writing and sharing it.