Dad passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2008. Billy and I were both very lucky that we got to spend time with him on Wednesday. He slept most of the day but opened his eyes when I talked to him, making direct eye contact. That was probably the most special 5 minutes I've ever spent with him. Although I'm very sad to see him gone, I know that he is no longer in pain.
To make a long story short, he died of lung cancer that had mestastisized to his brain. The actual cause of death is most likely respiratory failure, caused by the size of the lung tumor. He struggled the last few weeks, spending almost 3 weeks in ICU with pneumonia, a collapsed lung and on a respirator. We are so fortunate that he was able to come off the respirator and talk to us for a few days. He was himself up to the end...demanding to be fed ice chips and telling jokes to the nurses.
It's amazing to look back at Dad's life and realize all that he accomplished, all the lives that he touched. He immigrated from Scotland with his mom and 4 sisters in 1959, and after graduating from high school, joined the US Air Force and fought in the Vietnam War. He married my mom in 1971 and built Britton Construction Co. from the ground up. He coached soccer teams and Little League, led Boy Scout troops and went on Girl Scout campouts. Dad was quite a go-getter...there was never a dull moment when he was around, he was always getting into something.
Since he was in construction, he got up everyday at 4am...even on the weekends. So as kids, Billy and I would get up at 6am and race downstairs to see that Dad had either already beaten the Zelda game on Nintendo, or read half of a 500page novel.
Although calling friends and family and telling them of Dad's passing has been hard, it's also given me a strangely good feeling. Everyone has had a kind word for the person my dad was. Everyone has had a funny story to tell about playing racquetball with him, or "one time at Boy Scout camp".
It's never easy to say goodbye to someone you love. I feel fortunate to have loved someone who touched so many lives. Dad's final resting place will be at the Riverside National Cemetary. We are having a Memorial for him at the Long Beach Masonic Lodge on Friday, Nov 7th at 11am. Following the memorial, we are having a "Celebration of Life" party at Dad's favorite Long Beach bar, Joe Jost's. If anyone would like to join us in remembering my dad - all are welcome.
2 comments:
Danielle, we are so so sorry for the loss of your Dad. We didn't know until I saw your myspace post. You all will be in our constant prayers. May God wrap His arms around you and Billy as you go through this valley. We love you, Robbie & Annie.
Danielle, this is a beautiful tribute to your dad. He would be very proud to see it and to read the memories that you shared!
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