A lot of words about my father

[C YENSEN]

Originally Posted by Monkey Butler

Didn't know of his Dad's passing. My sympathies to you and your family and a heartfelt thanks to your Dad for his service.

couldn't have said it better myself....

[Franco]

Thanks to all my brothers. I didn't mean to leave you all hanging, but I have been fighting a bad case of bronchitis. But I'll tell you all the rest of the story:

After the war my father was again stationed in Philadelphia, assigned to the USS Toledo as it was be built. (My father would become a plankowner of that ship also. All in all, he was plankowner of 4 ships, USS Cowpens, USS Toledo, USS Independence and the USS Kityhawk. He also served on another 8 ships in his 30 year Navy carreer.) While he was in Philly, he was asked to be the best man for one of his shipmates. At the wedding he met one of the bridesmaids, Josephine. She was a very attractive brown eyed brunett, kinda like a Lennon Sister look alike. He was a lanky sailor on tailored dress blues with brilliant blue eyes. Everyone said he looked like Bing Crosby. Well they dated a few months, my grandfather took to my dad right away, as he had 4 daughters and no sons. My dad was welcomed into the DiGuiseppe family with open arms. About 4 months later he and my mom were married. That was April 10th, 1947. The following year my oldest brother was born in Philly. They moved around as your typical navy family does, my older brother was born in Atlanta while my dad was an ROTC Instructor at U. of Georgia. We finally settled down in Virginian right after I was born. My dad spent 30 years in the navy, and then worked civil service till he cpmpletely retired. My mom and pop were married for almost 50 years, mom passed away just a few months shy of their anniversary. A few months after my mom passed Robin and I sold our house and moved back in to my childhood home to be with pop. He was well into his seventies and being he was away from home so much (21 years sea duty) he pretty much relied on my mom to do so much for him.
About 2 years later my father was diagnosed with Alzheimers and Robin and I became his primary caretakers. In 2004 we moved to Florida to be closer to my brother and his family, plus the climate was better for him and we built a house that was designed to be compatible with his needs. Pop slowly progressed with Alzheimers until last September. Pop ended up in the hospital 5 times since then. His health declined rapidly, and finally in April he was brought back home under hospice care. On may 7th, my mothers birthday, pop was surronded by family, all watching the Yankees play. Pop passed away that evening, peacefully, during the 7th inning stretch. I miss him a lot, he was with us 12 years and 7 months. But I know he is in a better place.

I love ya pop

[randlemanboater]

You can tell a good man by the quality of his son.

My condolenses Franco, Pop was a good man.

[reelapeelin]

Quite a story...he was as good as they come...my honor to have met him. Thanks for sharing his story with us.

[Blue_Runner]

Franco my sympathies go out to your and your family over the loss of your dad. I can see that he lived an amazing life and did one hell of a job raising a family and fighting for every American's freedom. My hat's off to him for his service to our country.

[tsubaki]

Originally Posted by Blue_Runner

Franco my sympathies go out to your and your family over the loss of your dad. I can see that he lived an amazing life and did one hell of a job raising a family and fighting for every American's freedom. My hat's off to him for his service to our country.

Ditto what Blue said.
Thanks for sharing a real American life!!