[rodnok01]

My sister stopped by and told me our dad had a massive heart attack last night while in the hospital and passed away at 69 yrs. He has been hospitalized for a while and learned last week he had masses on liver and kidneys. He had a lot of heart and breathing problems over the years(stints, pacemakers to name a couple) and smoking 2-3 packs a days for his whole life didn't help I'm sure.
I haven't had contact with my parents for 10 yrs+ due to some issues with my mother and her attitude towards everyone and her destructive behavior. When things are good she isn't happy and when my son was born I decided I wouldn't subject him to her rants. Unfortunately that has meant no contact with his grandfather either, not an easy decision as he was a hard working father that provided for the family the best he knew how and we never went without.
He was a better father by far than his ever was and I try very hard to be a better father than that. He worked 2nd shift for most of my life and I never really got to spend much time with him or get to know him and that is my biggest regret. Vacations in Northern Michigan and changing the oil in the car are my most vivid memories. Never heard him swear even when it took 2 hrs to get an oil filter off that stupid Vega with a hammer and screwdriver laying on a gravel driveway.
My sister said he gave up and was ready to go....
Not a good day here at all and I'll miss him.
Goodnight.

 

[Ranger]

Sorry to hear that Rodnok. I held my fathers hand and watch him take his last breath. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. You have my deepest sympathies. R.I.P.

 

[Cadillac Kid03]

I'm sorry to hear that man my prayers go out to you and your family tonight. Did he have COPD?

 

[ben.gators]

I am really sorry to hear about this! My condolences to you and your family!

 

[orconn]

My sympathy is with you as you deal with the passing of father. You have been wise to keep your mother's temperament and condition from your son as he grows up. The unkind and irrational hurt handed out by a sick grandparent can do far more harm than the absence of that person from his or her life. I am sure that your dad was well aware of your predicament and was willing to forego seeing his grandson to keep the child from this abuse.

It sounds as though your father's efforts to provide for his family and to help each child on their way to adulthood will be remembered as his fine legacy..... may he rest in peace!

 

[MrHolland]

Condolences sir....

 

[LS1Mike]

Sorry to hear it.

 

[dkozloski]

I lost my dad nearly fifty years ago and I still miss him every day. You have my sympathy.

 

[77CDV]

My sincere condolences.

 

[talismandave]

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. I haven't had to deal with that yet.

It is always hard to lose a close family member, even more so when complicated by family strife. I can only imagine all the conflicting emotions this has brought up for you about both mom and dad. I admire your stance and strength to protect your son, and I am sure your dad did too.

Your dad was from an era when being a good provider was the definition of being a good father. I am glad to hear you appreciated him for what he was raised to be, instead of judging him based on today's more enlightened parenting.

May you find peace through faith and family and God rest you dad's soul.

 

[CadillacLuke24]

I am deeply sorry to hear of the passing of your father Rodnok. The older I get the more I appreciate my parents, so I cannot even begin to imagine the hurt you feel. He sounds like he was a truly great man. May he rest in peace.

 

[CADDCT]

sounds like your Dad raised you to be an independent thinker and to strive to be your best. I'm sure he was proud of the difficult decisions you made. Glad you have some good memories at least.

 

[donwon]

Sorry about your Dad, and I know the greif you are going through with your Mom.

 

[Cadillac_Fan]

Prayers up.

 

[RetiredSFC 97]

I'm sorry for your loss. They say time heals all wounds, it doesn't, the pain just becomes less for awhile and then it returns in the most unusual circumstances. Been struggling with this myself the past year or so.

God Bless

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[02603sec]

Sorry for your loss. Lost mine about 1 yr ago. He was a lifelong caddy guy!

 

[rodnok01]

Well, been a long week, relatives visiting late dinners and long days. Obit in paper was difficult, guess it didn't seem real.
My dad was a 32 yr GM employee, worked at a Hydra-Matic plant(still hate that name) so we were always a GM family. People talk about smells from where their dad's work(or mom) and I can tell you I can smell trans fluid at 20 yards... I can remember when it was my job to pull the metal shavings out of the bottom of his works shoes(ok I prob wanted to do it) and would stink of trans fluid from holding the shoes.
The no services or viewings is bothering me I can admit, no way to say goodbye in person.

 

[BlazerZR5]

My condolences.... Remember that your father lives on in you,and any children you may have.as well as your siblings,and in their children. I myself have watched my family pass as the years have gone by,including the loss of my only brother. Sometimes when the light hits my youngest sons face just right I can see my brother standing there in front of me,the way he did so many years ago. Honor,and remember the man,and share his legacy with the next generation and he'll never truely be gone.