So, Grandpa's Gonna Die

Off Topic
1

Well, the decision was made to take my grandpa off life support tomorrow. He’s a crazy old bastard . . . married 50+ years, an electrician, WWII vet, productive alcoholic, Irish orphan raised in a Catholic school in the 1920’s, man who let me smoke a pipe at age 4, all around badass, horrible gambler, and magnificent storyteller. You get the idea.

Alzheimer’s got him though.

I mean, the guy built his own house in the 50’s and tried to convince my Grandma that closets were a waste of space. Almost succeeded too.

I know it’s the right choice (removing life support), but I’m going to miss him.

So, to one of the best “T-Men” I know, goodbye. I hope I can live a life to make you proud.

I raise a Manhattan in your honor.

2

Here’s to your Grandpa - sounds as if he had a good life. Keep his memory close, and tell your kids about him.

I’m raising my glass to him now.

3

Godspeed to the old man.

4

Sorry to hear about that. Its always tough to lose someone who’s close to you.

Just remember, like you’ve clearly pointed out, he’s had a fulfilling life and it sure as shit didnt go to waste. IMO, the best thing you can do to honor him is try to have a just as fulfilling life.

5

Here’s a shot of whiskey to a dying breed of men…

6

head up

7

[quote]Brant_Drake wrote:
I mean, the guy built his own house in the 50’s and tried to convince my Grandma that closets were a waste of space. Almost succeeded too.

…

I raise a Manhattan in your honor.[/quote]

In an emotional post you manage to capture an image of a great man in a few words.

Although a sad time, I’m happy for you that you knew such a man, never mind being related to him.

I’ll join you in that drink.

8

I’ll join you in that drink too. But really only because I like to drink.

All kidding aside, alzheimers sucks, my mother is diagnosed with both parkinsons and alzheimers…bit of a double whammy there. I think its just because the docs cant pull their heads out. But hey, at least she can’t regale me with the same stories over and over? No, thats just sad too. It’s all around sad innit. The best you can do is look at their lives collectively as you’ve done. Your grandpa sounds salt of the earth to me, I’m sure there is a place in heaven for him. God knows he earned it.

9

SOunds like the type of man the world doesn’t see anymore. No one wants to go out that way, we all hope that we meet our end doing something great, heroic, or just worthy of rememberance. I know you don’t want to picture your Grandfather the way he is now. I’m not comparing or anything, but sadly I can vividly recall my dog in his last few days, and it is indeed an image I wish I had never witnessed. Remember him for how he lived, not how he was towards the end.

S

10

Guys from that generation are a dying breed, and it’s a damn shame.

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men ever lived.” - Patton

11

[quote]Brant_Drake wrote:
Well, the decision was made to take my grandpa off life support tomorrow. He’s a crazy old bastard . . . married 50+ years, an electrician, WWII vet, productive alcoholic, Irish orphan raised in a Catholic school in the 1920’s, man who let me smoke a pipe at age 4, all around badass, horrible gambler, and magnificent storyteller. You get the idea.

Alzheimer’s got him though.

I mean, the guy built his own house in the 50’s and tried to convince my Grandma that closets were a waste of space. Almost succeeded too.

I know it’s the right choice (

   Well I'm really sorry to hear that Brant.

I know as most of us older folks do, too well the reality of the situation and how painful it is to say goodbye. He is indeed as Contrl said, a breed of man that we will never see again. The forces that shaped his life are so unique and important to our own lives, it’s an honor to have been able to enjoy him as you must have. I don’t drink anymore, but I will raise one up right now for someone of his stature. I hope you realize that if his wits were about him at this moment, he’d already be proud as peaches about the way you’ve turned out, and what kind of man you are Brant. Just know that and be happy he’s finally getting the rest he so well deserves now.

           A true American hero he was,

                   ToneBoneremoving life support), but I'm going to miss him.

So, to one of the best “T-Men” I know, goodbye. I hope I can live a life to make you proud.

I raise a Manhattan in your honor.[/quote]

12

[quote]Brant_Drake wrote:
Well, the decision was made to take my grandpa off life support tomorrow. He’s a crazy old bastard . . . married 50+ years, an electrician, WWII vet, productive alcoholic, Irish orphan raised in a Catholic school in the 1920’s, man who let me smoke a pipe at age 4, all around badass, horrible gambler, and magnificent storyteller. You get the idea.

Alzheimer’s got him though.

I mean, the guy built his own house in the 50’s and tried to convince my Grandma that closets were a waste of space. Almost succeeded too.

I know it’s the right choice (removing life support), but I’m going to miss him.

So, to one of the best “T-Men” I know, goodbye. I hope I can live a life to make you proud.

I raise a Manhattan in your honor.[/quote]

Well I'm really sorry to hear that Brant.

I know as most of us older folks do, too well the reality of the situation and how painful it is to say goodbye. He is indeed as Contrl said, a breed of man that we will never see again.

The forces that shaped his life are so unique and important to our own lives, it’s an honor to have been able to enjoy him as you must have. I don’t drink anymore, but I will raise one up right now for someone of his stature.

I hope you realize that if his wits were about him at this moment, he’d already be proud as peaches about the way you’ve turned out, and what kind of man you are Brant. Just know that and be happy he’s finally getting the rest he so well deserves now.

A true American hero he was,

ToneBone

13

Respect. Your grandpa sounded like a hell of a guy. I’ll be drinking with ya.

14

I can empathize with you.

My Grandfather fought in WWII, then returned home and served as a Judge and an attorney in my hometown. His honesty, fairness, discipline, and courage were so well known that almost half the city attended his funeral. Thousands of people filled a large church to celebrate his life.

Sadly, I was too young to ever get to know Granddaddy as a man, or understand at the time the significance of the citywide attendance of his funeral.

Be thankful for the time you got to spend with your Grandfather and for the opportunity to see him through the eyes of a grown man.

They don’t make men like our Grandfathers anymore, and our nation grows weaker with their every passing.

15

Maybe we’ll see him at Oden’s table in Valhalla. To his memories. \m/

16

Reminds me of my grandfather who passed away several years ago. A toast to them all, my friend.

17

Sounds like the rough old man many of us hope to become one day!

Sorry to hear of your loss.