Mike Gallo
07-11-2005, 12:55 PM
Yesterday we had a memorial service for my father in law. He passed on 6-1-05. He missed living to see his 61st birthday by 17 days.
My father in law worked for the NJ state police as a state trooper. He started as motorcycle patrolman,and eventually transferred to the gaming division and worked out of Atlantic City.
His death came as a shock to many people. Although my father in law knew he was dying, he did not share it with anyone.
Before my father in law died, he asked for Deacon "Greg" to say a few words at the memorial service.
Deacon Greg served as a state trooper and my father in law and Deacon Greg worked together. Greg moved on to narcotics and my father in law went into gaming. Although they did not work in the same unit, they spoke from time to time.
Deacon Greg showed his emotion when we explained that my father in law asked for his specifically. Deacon Greg considered it a great honor and did a great job. He left me looking at life in a new perspective. During his eulogy Deacon Greg stated.." When we all die and we have a headstone it will read born-died. In between is just a dash....just a dash." Deep for me.
All of this got me to wondering...what would people say about me at my funeral/memorial service.
I knew my father in law for five years. I considered him one of the finest men I have had the pleasure of knowing. If you asked his opinion, like it or not, you would get it.
Thanks to those who made it this far, I needed to vent.
My father in law worked for the NJ state police as a state trooper. He started as motorcycle patrolman,and eventually transferred to the gaming division and worked out of Atlantic City.
His death came as a shock to many people. Although my father in law knew he was dying, he did not share it with anyone.
Before my father in law died, he asked for Deacon "Greg" to say a few words at the memorial service.
Deacon Greg served as a state trooper and my father in law and Deacon Greg worked together. Greg moved on to narcotics and my father in law went into gaming. Although they did not work in the same unit, they spoke from time to time.
Deacon Greg showed his emotion when we explained that my father in law asked for his specifically. Deacon Greg considered it a great honor and did a great job. He left me looking at life in a new perspective. During his eulogy Deacon Greg stated.." When we all die and we have a headstone it will read born-died. In between is just a dash....just a dash." Deep for me.
All of this got me to wondering...what would people say about me at my funeral/memorial service.
I knew my father in law for five years. I considered him one of the finest men I have had the pleasure of knowing. If you asked his opinion, like it or not, you would get it.
Thanks to those who made it this far, I needed to vent.