Saturday, January 14, 2012
My earliest recollection of your father, my uncle, was in the very early 50's. I would ride a train from New Haven down to Darien in the summer to spend several weeks with Aunt Jewel, Uncle Mac, and Cousin Billy. I vividly recall Uncle Johnny saying "let's go visit Uncle Joe and his new bride . . . she's a blond from St Louis". My recollections are of a large man, bigger than life, with a booming voice, and a young, pretty wife who immediately made you at home with lemonade and cookies. In fact, I even recall making cookies with Aunt Catherine, her sister, and, of course, Ma Berger. Uncle Joe introduced me to photography . . he gave me a small box camera, for which I am eternally grateful. My unofficial hobby is now photography, and I spend a great deal of time photographing the grandchildren at their school events. Thanks you, Uncle Joe. I always became excited when we would visit Buena Visa Street because I knew I would get a photography or golfing lesson. Or perhaps we would go for a ride in his big car. When I was getting ready to return home, your dad would call me aside, lecture me on being a good boy, helping at home, and studying in school; then, he would reach into his pocket and take out a dollar bill. "You be a good boy Skipper", he would say. "This is for you". As the years drew on, we went different ways and began our own families. I was really proud on the 24th of June in 1991 when Uncle Joe and Aunt Catherine attended my daughter's wedding in Annapolis. It was wonderful to see them dancing and socializing, within 30 minutes they knew everyone! And you know what, as your dad was leaving, he called me aside, and said "looks like you have studied hard, so here is your reward", and gave me a dollar. We will all miss Uncle Joe . . . . but we know that God is holding him in his hands, and God is smiling.
