Tribute to Dad by Michael V. Kazickas

Good morning everyone and thank you all for coming.
 
First I want to thank all those who called, sent texts, emails, flowers, and comfort food and the dozens upon dozens of posting commiserating my dad. Foremost thank you Jim Rydell for the beautiful Facebook tribute to my father with the great photos.I was moved by the heartfelt email from Sandy Laughlin, the emotionally expressive phone call from the always gracious Carol Conklin, and to Jimmy Mak who stopped by my house the day after my Dad's passing to check up on me (and Beverly, Kiki, and Jack) and to just sit and talk.
 
 
When my Mom died 3 years ago the family was really concerned about Dad; would he be able to, would he want to soldier on without her. "I'm not old" he insisted. He had more to do, more to give. He wanted to live. I admired that spirit. He was always funny, but especially so near the end of his time when he told Beverly he was 106 years old. "Wow, he said, that's a long life!"
 
 
Thank you to my brothers and my sister Jurate. My sister is the glue that kept it all together.  I'm so glad we were all together with Dad in his final moments Wednesday night.
 
 
"Lithuanians are made of steel." Joe said that at my Mom's 90th birthday. And it's so appropriate for my father. I just love that line...."Lithuanians are made of steel."
 
 
Thank you to all eleven grandchildren. Each one of you was so important to Dad. 
 
 
When my Dad was in NY Hospital this past spring Nick was always there keeping him company. Nick would give the latest updates on his current condition even before the doctors would arrive that morning.
 
 
Thank you Augie who would make the trek from The U in Miami up to Broward General in Fort Lauderdale to visit my Dad when he was a patient there in April.
 
 
Thank you to Peter who last October on fall break from college came home with his basketball teammates and stopped by Dad's house to invite him for dinner and to hang out with his friends. I was so impressed by that. The first thing my Dad asked Peter was "would any ladies be joining us for dinner?" "No" Peter said. "Sorry I can't make it." Just an example of one of Dad's bits of advice - you have to have a sense of humor in life.
 
And to my son Jack who would call my dad from college in Dallas. it meant so much to him to hear from you; as it did from all his grandchildren.
 
 
Dad led a long full life. 96 fantastic years. Do I have any regrets? Very few. I wish I hadn't battled with him back in my early 20's. But I was in college and back than and I knew it all...or so I thought!
 
 
Aside from him living longer I wish I could have had one more round of golf with him, win one more club championship before his passing, have him play one more round of golf with Jack. And now with Sophie playing I know he would have loved to play golf with her.
 
 
I came across this quote from Elizabeth Kubler Ross.
I think it sums up my Dad nicely.
"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."
 
 
You all know who and what my Dad was. I will tell you what my dad wasn't.
My dad wasn't a disappointment. As a son looking to a father, and as a young man looking to a wise man, everything that my Dad was supposed to be he was, everything that he was supposed to do he did.
He always did the right thing and he never let me down.
 
 
Dad - In my lifetime I've had many dreams and hopes come true. And among them was that I was blessed to be loved by a father as wonderful as you.
I will always cherish the memories and until we meet again I will really really miss you.
 
 
God Bless.
 
 In memory of Joseph P. Kazickas (April 16, 1918 - July 9, 2014)
July 14, 2014, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Hampton, NY