My condolences to the entire Flood family for the loss of your father and mother. I only knew your dad and mom for a single afternoon in the Summer of 2001 but it was a meeting that will last in my memory for a lifetime, in more ways than simply a shared name. Based on your dad's obituary, my wife Susan and I can certainly be considered a part of his history of connecting and collecting people.
Susan and I were considering a move from Houston, TX to the Freehold area (a work relocation opportunity). We flew up one weekend to look at homes. While sipping coffee and getting organized for our home search that Saturday morning at the Freehold Mall, your dad and mom were sitting nearby. I'm sure it would not surprise you to know he leaned over to let us know he overheard us talking about moving to Freehold and that he was interested in offering us some advise. A 20 minute conversation ensued with your dad doing most of the talking; again, no surprise, and I mean that in a very endearing way. He explained that he was born in Brooklyn but he and his wife Joyce lived in Freehold for a long time and raised a large, beautiful family there. It was a terrific place to live and raise our young family (at that time). He also pointed out the sections of town we should focus on. When our conversation was coming to a close, I reached out, shook your dad's hand and said, "Ray Flood", letting him know my name. While still shaking hands he said, "yeah, yeah, Ray Flood" with an odd, confused inflection in his voice. I thought he was somehow acknowledging my name, but, in hindsight, he was actually confused that I seemed to know his name. Your mom then asked me, "what did you say your name was?". I repeated my name and she said, "That's his name!" It took me a second to realize we shared the same exact name. What are the odds??? We quickly shared our ID's to be sure there was not some sort of hoax being played out. Well, once we realized it was a legitimate coincidence, forget it... the rest of the day your dad insisted on providing Susan and me with a personal tour of Freehold neighborhoods we should consider for our move. He also had us follow him to his firehouse so he could introduce me to his fellow firefighters. He brought them over to me and with a huge smile and chuckle he said, "Meet Ray Flood". He was so excited and busting with laughter. I could tell they all loved him, their Captain. It was then I realized how special a man he was around town. Reading his obituary, I am not at all surprised to see how involved and loved he was to so many people and organizations in the Freehold area.
We ended the afternoon with some coffee and pastries at your parents home. My wife and I could not get over how much the décor was similar to the décor at my mother's home in Farmingdale, on Long Island, my hometown. The phone booth was the best.... my mom would have absolutely loved to have one in our home as well. We exchanged phone numbers and I befriended your dad on Facebook. We kept in touch every now and then but Susan and I never moved to Freehold or anywhere in the NY Metro area due to 911 that year. I will never forget your parents and the kindness they shared with us that day.
God Bless you all!
