I knew Steve (Dad) and Kay (Mom) 51 years, when I started dating their youngest daughter JoAnne in the senior year in high school.
A fond memory of Dad is when in my sophomore year in collage I needed to do “the Italian tradition thing” of asking him if I can marry his daughter. He was in the basement working with his tools ( I think to intimidate me). Slowly I went downstairs and worked up the courage to ask him the question. He laughingly said “sure but one thing, take care of her, which I know you will”.
Of course I did take care of JoAnne. We married in August 1975, almost 47 years ago. during these 47 years both Dad and Mom treated me like their son, rather than their son in law.
I know Dad loved me like a son, and I loved him like a Dad. This fact was recently reinforced by Mom. Last week she handed me a scrap of paper. On that paper were my work titles ending in Sr. VP and Chief Operating Officer highlighting the 30 years I worked for the NYC Health and Hospitals Corp. I asked what is this. Mom said he carried this scrap of paper so he can be sure he could brag what a “ big shot his Son is” when talking to friends, colleagues and acquaintances. I was floored.
Rest In Peace Dad
Your Son,
Frank
