When John and I got married, my dad grew all the flowers for the centerpieces at my wedding - they were so beautiful. We also shared a love of sun-flowers, everytime I see a sunflower I will think of him.
Posted by Nancy
Friday, August 21, 2009
In the garden
Here is a list of a few things I remember Dad growing in his garden (which measured about 1/2 of a soccer field):
* cotton
* tobacco
* corn
* tomatoes
* green and yellow beans
* sugar snaps
* lettuce
* broccoli
* Brussel sprouts
* zucchini
* squash
* blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries
* asparagus
* grapes
* paw paw tree
* giant hibiscus
* lupines and other wildflowers
* carrots
* beets
* and probably tons of other things I can't remember
/David
* cotton
* tobacco
* corn
* tomatoes
* green and yellow beans
* sugar snaps
* lettuce
* broccoli
* Brussel sprouts
* zucchini
* squash
* blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries
* asparagus
* grapes
* paw paw tree
* giant hibiscus
* lupines and other wildflowers
* carrots
* beets
* and probably tons of other things I can't remember
/David
Always remembered
To My Uncle Russell,
I don’t know where to began
He accepted me the day I was adopted
He's always been there for me and respected me
I started getting much closer to him
He let me live and work for Center tv as a tech
I joined the Scotch Plain Fire dept. He retired before I join
He help me get and would tell me fire stories , which we had in common
He taught me about life and so many more things, I’ll never forget that.
Uncle Russ and I did a lot traveling to wisconson, maine, and florida (naples) of course
I loved traveling with him. I will miss that.
He was great guy even when he took me for a hike that he said would take 20min and it turned into an 1hour hike
But its all good, I loved going place with him, and just sitting at the rv smoking cigars and on our laptops
He will always be remembered and never forgot
From Robert
I don’t know where to began
He accepted me the day I was adopted
He's always been there for me and respected me
I started getting much closer to him
He let me live and work for Center tv as a tech
I joined the Scotch Plain Fire dept. He retired before I join
He help me get and would tell me fire stories , which we had in common
He taught me about life and so many more things, I’ll never forget that.
Uncle Russ and I did a lot traveling to wisconson, maine, and florida (naples) of course
I loved traveling with him. I will miss that.
He was great guy even when he took me for a hike that he said would take 20min and it turned into an 1hour hike
But its all good, I loved going place with him, and just sitting at the rv smoking cigars and on our laptops
He will always be remembered and never forgot
From Robert
My friend
Dad was always my "friend at the ready" for any kind of adventure. In the years of our adult friendship we have enjoyed long bicycle rides, hikes, boat rides, countless trips to the shore, every type of festival imaginable, music, fireworks, trips to NYC, Philadelphia and Washington DC, not to mention camping and RVing. Of course their is the fall ritual to find the brightest leaf colors on the eastern seaboard. I can't imagine having spent life differently...and will miss these times dearly.
Posted by Mark
Posted by Mark
The turkey leg
In 1998ish, the Frans came over to our house (next door, the Lees) for Thanksgiving dinner. This was by no means Buckingham Palace, just to set the scene. It was a rather low-brow affair. Mr. Fran shrewdly notices the giant turkey leg that no one seems to care about, and after 10 minutes of staring at it politely, announces his intentions to claim the prize. For sheer entertainment value, he takes it like Fred Flintstone, and begins to dip it into the gravy bowl. He was in heaven. I can still remember the sky-high enjoyment plastered all over his face. And to make the whole scene everlastingly funny, I can still hear Mrs. Fran saying "Russell!" No lie, that turkey leg had to weigh 5 pounds.
From Kevin
From Kevin
Frenetic fun
"Unforgettable......that's what you are...." I don't even know where to start when talking about memories......so many.... All I can say now is that as soon as "going to Scotch Plains" was mentioned in this house, it was immediately always met with instant motion, people dashing to get out to the car and down to Chapel Road and into another Francisco adventure in frenetic fun!! From all the fun-filled birthday parties, Nancy is home parties, garden parties, impromptu dinners (usually not done til after 9)one could expect to be involved in garden tours, eating fresh produce off the plant, pick-up softball games in the field, sled rides down the back hill (weather permitting) chariot races in the garden wagon, splash fights and dunkings in the kiddie pool (that would be the adults....not the kids), someone falling in the fish pond, walks around the neighborhood, good food and great times with the best friends ever. We were made to feel part of the family and loved always....which we needed desperately as we lost our parents during the years that passed. We love him and all of you, that will never change. He will always be with us - he is truly unforgettable.
Love to you all, Marianne and the M gang
Love to you all, Marianne and the M gang
Convertable Jeep Wrangler
I have a great memory of picking Uncle Russ and Aunt Marge up for Craigs wedding.....they got a fancy ride in a jeep wrangler convertible they brought out a bottle of champagne and suggeted I take a sip (noon wedding) I was running late and had know idea where I was going. After the wedding we headed to the reception with the top down on beautiful ... Read MoreRiver roadon a sunny picture perfect April afternoon listening to Frank Sinatra. He was full of Adventure and you always wanted to be around him just a little bit longer.I am sad for his loss, he was a beautiful spirit.
From Tania
Labor pains and phone issues
My funniest memory was the day I went into labor with my son Jordan Russell in Russell's house. He and Mark were eating breakfast and I told Marge and my mom the baby was coming. Russell and Mark could not get out of the house fast enough!!! I also laughed every night at dinner time when Russell would take the phone off the hook and throw it on the floor so we would not get calls while eating. OH!!! What great memories!!!
from Dawn
from Dawn
A visit with the Pope
Russ took Mark to see the Pope in Oct 1979 and somehow I - the non-catholic - came along for the ride. We were talking the entire trip about everything from energy, small business & work - to family and religion. We drove to DC in Marge's Chevette exactly 55 miles per our the whole way which seemed forever. We stayed at someone's (?) house in the DC area, got up at 5AM and took the metro, stood around for hours to see John Paul II drive by in a modified golf cart. At that moment I realized that there might be more to organized religion than I learned from the Unitarians. Russ, you were like a second dad to me, I'll miss your hearty laugh. Keep an eye out for us!
From Rustin
From Rustin
Familytime
I think the biggest thing I loved about Russell is when you talked to him you had his undivided attention. Most of the time that is all a person needs and a quality I need to work on.
I loved Russell he was a boss to me for a few months and a friend for many years. He could make me so mad and make me laugh I think mostly he made me think about my life and where I was going with it. He never judged people. He just took you as you were and made you a better person. He could NOT “make” a pot of coffee but was always willing to make it.
I think the thing I’m going to miss the most are the good hugs and the “Hey babe, how is it going” (he wanted a real answer).
I remember way back – showing up to pick Nancy up to go and they were just starting to eat dinner. Keep in mind it was late. All Russell said was “Family time SIT”. We all started talking and hours later I was on my way home. Nancy and I never did get to go out that night but we had a great time. I think that was the beginning of me being a part of this family.
I am a better person because of Russell and the Francisco family. I hope he knows how much I loved him and how much he taught me. I will miss him big time.
From Joanie
I loved Russell he was a boss to me for a few months and a friend for many years. He could make me so mad and make me laugh I think mostly he made me think about my life and where I was going with it. He never judged people. He just took you as you were and made you a better person. He could NOT “make” a pot of coffee but was always willing to make it.
I think the thing I’m going to miss the most are the good hugs and the “Hey babe, how is it going” (he wanted a real answer).
I remember way back – showing up to pick Nancy up to go and they were just starting to eat dinner. Keep in mind it was late. All Russell said was “Family time SIT”. We all started talking and hours later I was on my way home. Nancy and I never did get to go out that night but we had a great time. I think that was the beginning of me being a part of this family.
I am a better person because of Russell and the Francisco family. I hope he knows how much I loved him and how much he taught me. I will miss him big time.
From Joanie
A big grin
I remember when my dad died...i was living in Montana...On the three day drive to Mississippi I wrote his eulogy...Then I thought, "I'll never make it through this." Well, when I arrived at the funeral home there were my two Uncles (Russ and Roger-Dad's brothers) I remember how heart broken we all were....
From Donna
Then I got up to speak...wow.. it was hard... Read More...BUT....as I looked into the eyes of the people sitting there listening, I searched for a face-someone who I could focus on and I saw Uncle Russel and Uncle Roger...grinning at me...smiling...eyes lit up and encouraging....
I made through the entire Eulogy only because of these two amazing men....
But this is how Uncle Russel was...he knew ...he always knew...just what someone needed....
I made through the entire Eulogy only because of these two amazing men....
But this is how Uncle Russel was...he knew ...he always knew...just what someone needed....
From Donna
Long Beach Island
There will never be another Russell. He was very special to me because he treated me like a little sis ter...he was my first big "crush"....at 6 years old I was so infatuated with him...he spent many vacations with my family on Long Beach Island and always brought his special smile with him...he made vacations more fun....it was just like having another older brother to protect me...he treasured his family and will be with them always...a piece of my heart has been torn out...
From Linda
From Sweden to NJ
Russell, My Dear Friend,
We met for the first time 35 years ago, but it was when Anita and David became a couple I really got to know you.
I found a very special person; a true and generous friend, always exploring the world small as big, very knowledgeable and full of wisdom, always eager to learn more, a good teacher having an answer to most everything when asked, you even taught me about things in Sweden.
We have had many great moments together; outdoor concerts in Westfield going early in the morning reserving the best spot, living together in your RV in Florida enjoying the fantastic sunsets, exploring part of Sweden in an RV, sitting on an island outside Äskestock watching the Moon partially cover the Sun, spent Christmas and celebrated New Years eve together in Stockholm, and many many more.
On behalf of the entire Brofors family I thank you for your friendship and all wonderful moments we have had together.
Tack och farväl.
From Sven-Åke
18 tons of rock
While I only had the pleasure of spending time with Russ on a handful of occasions, I felt like I grew up with him because of all the stories Nancy told about her father. He always seemed like a "guy" I would like to hang out with, be around. Many people in this world take energy from you, but Russ seemed to give energy to people. When he was in a room you wanted to be near him.
The most recent memory I have of Russ is from this past May. My wife was battling cancer, so a number of friends asked how they could help. We have a newer house and I wanted to finish the landscaping. We planned a "landscaping party" and around 20 people showed up at my house. Russ was in town visiting Nancy and her family over the weekend of the landscaping party. Instead of staying at Nancy's house Russ came over to help with our landscaping project. Here is a guy who is in town visiting, on vacation, 69 years old, and he is at my house helping shovel 18 tons of rock!
I know Russ will be missed by a lot of people, but I feel lucky that I still get to hear the stories from Nancy.
From Russ
The most recent memory I have of Russ is from this past May. My wife was battling cancer, so a number of friends asked how they could help. We have a newer house and I wanted to finish the landscaping. We planned a "landscaping party" and around 20 people showed up at my house. Russ was in town visiting Nancy and her family over the weekend of the landscaping party. Instead of staying at Nancy's house Russ came over to help with our landscaping project. Here is a guy who is in town visiting, on vacation, 69 years old, and he is at my house helping shovel 18 tons of rock!
I know Russ will be missed by a lot of people, but I feel lucky that I still get to hear the stories from Nancy.
From Russ
The wanderer
Your dad was so very special to me. I can't believe he's no longer with us, but I do have some memories to share. First, in general, we all knew that if Russ was attending something there was going to be a lot of fun. When we were going to get together with family, the first thing my kids would ask was if Russell was going to be there.
Last month, your mom, dad and I went to the Jewish Museum in Manhattan. Only problem was, the museum was closed that day except for the gift shop. So we browsed in the gift shop for a while, except I noticed Russell wasn't with us. I asked Margie where he was. She wasn't sure, but she thought he was probably in Central Park. She called him up and told him we were going to Guggenheim Art Museum. He met us there and we all went in. Then he wandered off and Magie and I went through the museum together. The point is, I couldn't get over how patient he was. He never complained about what Margie and I were doing. If it didn't suit him, he would just quietly wander off and do his own thing. He was quite mellow. Everybody had a good time.
I also remember a barbeque at your house many years ago. One of the highlights was a pie eating contest for the kids. The kids were psyched and the adults watched. However, on the count of go, Russell pushed all the kids' faces into the whipped cream. The adults had a good laugh. I think the kids did too. He was a lot of fun.
We'll keep Russell in our heart and minds with our memories. You are all a wonderful family and I am so happy to be part of the extended family.
From Marsha
Last month, your mom, dad and I went to the Jewish Museum in Manhattan. Only problem was, the museum was closed that day except for the gift shop. So we browsed in the gift shop for a while, except I noticed Russell wasn't with us. I asked Margie where he was. She wasn't sure, but she thought he was probably in Central Park. She called him up and told him we were going to Guggenheim Art Museum. He met us there and we all went in. Then he wandered off and Magie and I went through the museum together. The point is, I couldn't get over how patient he was. He never complained about what Margie and I were doing. If it didn't suit him, he would just quietly wander off and do his own thing. He was quite mellow. Everybody had a good time.
I also remember a barbeque at your house many years ago. One of the highlights was a pie eating contest for the kids. The kids were psyched and the adults watched. However, on the count of go, Russell pushed all the kids' faces into the whipped cream. The adults had a good laugh. I think the kids did too. He was a lot of fun.
We'll keep Russell in our heart and minds with our memories. You are all a wonderful family and I am so happy to be part of the extended family.
From Marsha
The teacher
How do you distill the experiences of more than 50 years of knowing someone into few enough words to fit into a blog entry? A daunting idea, at best. I’ll choose only a little of what I know about Russ.
Russell was always willing to live life at its fullest, always striving to learn something new, to explore new things and ideas, and at his happiest when he was able to teach those to others. His patience as a teacher was an interesting counterpoint to the impatience he showed in other areas of life. Sometimes it seemed as if Russ couldn’t catch up with himself!
But it was teaching that brought out the very best in Russell. Whether he was at his shop showing young workers how to do something, or at the vocational school teaching young people the skills needed in radio and TV repair, the firehouse as a training officer, teaching the important thing to his children and grandchildren, or at the Hall showing students and teachers how to use their computers more effectively, he loved teaching. And was very good at it.
His passion for teaching and life in general was a wonder to watch. Not that Russ was perfect. No, at times he was the most exasperating person I knew. But it was impossible to remain exasperated at Russ. His heart shone through even his nuttiness.
I will miss everything about Russ, the good and the less than stellar. But most of all, I think, I’ll miss those philosophical discussions we would have at holidays and get togethers. Like the last time we were together, at Scott’s graduation party this past June, when he wanted to know if I ever thought about what our lives would have been like if we had made other choices. We talked for a little while and he said, “But then I wouldn’t have Margie and my family, and I would hate that.”
And that sums up Russell.
From Evelyn
Russell was always willing to live life at its fullest, always striving to learn something new, to explore new things and ideas, and at his happiest when he was able to teach those to others. His patience as a teacher was an interesting counterpoint to the impatience he showed in other areas of life. Sometimes it seemed as if Russ couldn’t catch up with himself!
But it was teaching that brought out the very best in Russell. Whether he was at his shop showing young workers how to do something, or at the vocational school teaching young people the skills needed in radio and TV repair, the firehouse as a training officer, teaching the important thing to his children and grandchildren, or at the Hall showing students and teachers how to use their computers more effectively, he loved teaching. And was very good at it.
His passion for teaching and life in general was a wonder to watch. Not that Russ was perfect. No, at times he was the most exasperating person I knew. But it was impossible to remain exasperated at Russ. His heart shone through even his nuttiness.
I will miss everything about Russ, the good and the less than stellar. But most of all, I think, I’ll miss those philosophical discussions we would have at holidays and get togethers. Like the last time we were together, at Scott’s graduation party this past June, when he wanted to know if I ever thought about what our lives would have been like if we had made other choices. We talked for a little while and he said, “But then I wouldn’t have Margie and my family, and I would hate that.”
And that sums up Russell.
From Evelyn
The entertainer
He was a wonderful character. I remember thinking he was the ultimate grandfather, dandling children from his knee, keeping everyone entertained. Everyone who knew him was richer for it. He leaves a wonderful legacy and a beautiful family.
From John
From John
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Oh, the places You'll Go!
I bought this Dr. Seuss book for my son a few days after my father died. For me, the message of not waiting around for life to happen summarizes my father perfectly. Forgive me for any copyright infringements but below is the complete poem. Consequentially, It was the last book Dr. Seuss published before his own death:
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.
It's opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
You'll be on y our way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.
I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don't
Because, sometimes they won't.
I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.
And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike,
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never foget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.
It's opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
You'll be on y our way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.
I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don't
Because, sometimes they won't.
I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.
And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike,
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never foget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
/Poem by Dr. Seuss
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Eulogy delivered by Mark
This past week has allowed so much reflection, and incredible input from family, friends, colleagues world-wide. It is clear to me that my father’s life has touched countless many, from his foster family in the Philippines, to friends from Florida to New York, family in Sweden, Mississippi, Missouri, Wisconsin and this Garden State. I must say, it feels strange but wholly justified to share our grief with others over the most modern methods including Facebook, Skype, SMS, Cellphones, Websites, Blogs in addition to higher touch methods including the nearly fifty people that visited us in the ICU this week.
I would be remiss if I did not share the incredible compassion shown by Bradley Beach’s residents, lifeguards, first responders and police in addition to the more amazing ability to share the end of my father’s life while at Jersey Shore Medical Center. My father’s more than 20 years of volunteer fire department service seemed to have garnered an incredible repayment this week.
My father has been so many things to me…and I have so much because of him. This apple definitely didn’t fall far from the tree. My love for the outdoors has definitely been learned from Dad through lifetime experiences shared along the Jersey Shore, in campgrounds across the USA, on bike trails and hiking trails. I call myself a gardener because of Dad, and have shared in the incredible bounty of his mastery of the art. Gardening is soil and humus, seed and flower, vegetables, fruits and berries and crops to learn from including cotton, tobacco, Jerusalem Artichokes and the obscure Paw Paw tree.
While my degrees came from Universities, all of my applied knowledge came from working for more than a decade for my dad, from age 12. Starting from testing tubes, and building maintenance and moving on to service calls and finally to diagnostics and repair, these skills live on in my career. My father taught me the value of process, the importance of customer service and the art of diagnostic method. I have resolved issues in TV’s, Satellite Payloads and Advanced Fiber Optic Communications systems using divide and conquer methods. I also have a skilled hand with soldering irons and attribute my skilled application of the dual-iron microchip removal technique to my days at Center Television.
My father taught me to appreciate classical music, a love I retain to this day. He also exposed us to classics from the 40’s, OK not everything stuck with me.
Finally, my father has given me a strong sense of spiritual centering. Raised Catholic while honoring and respecting Jewish traditions, and then allowed to explore my spiritual path, my parents have supported their children each step of the way. In retrospect, this may have been the chief source of comfort during this very difficult week.
One can not die unless you have lived…or as my father would frequently remind me “many come to the feast, but few partake of the bounty.” My father’s wanderlust was just a symptom of his desire to live life to the fullest.
His travels brought him several times to walk in the footsteps of ancient Judaism and Christianity. In as much it is fitting to journey there as a place to reflect upon his life. I conclude as one does during the Passover Seder by saying:
L'Shana HaBa'ah Ba'Y'israel
Next Year in Israel!
I would be remiss if I did not share the incredible compassion shown by Bradley Beach’s residents, lifeguards, first responders and police in addition to the more amazing ability to share the end of my father’s life while at Jersey Shore Medical Center. My father’s more than 20 years of volunteer fire department service seemed to have garnered an incredible repayment this week.
My father has been so many things to me…and I have so much because of him. This apple definitely didn’t fall far from the tree. My love for the outdoors has definitely been learned from Dad through lifetime experiences shared along the Jersey Shore, in campgrounds across the USA, on bike trails and hiking trails. I call myself a gardener because of Dad, and have shared in the incredible bounty of his mastery of the art. Gardening is soil and humus, seed and flower, vegetables, fruits and berries and crops to learn from including cotton, tobacco, Jerusalem Artichokes and the obscure Paw Paw tree.
While my degrees came from Universities, all of my applied knowledge came from working for more than a decade for my dad, from age 12. Starting from testing tubes, and building maintenance and moving on to service calls and finally to diagnostics and repair, these skills live on in my career. My father taught me the value of process, the importance of customer service and the art of diagnostic method. I have resolved issues in TV’s, Satellite Payloads and Advanced Fiber Optic Communications systems using divide and conquer methods. I also have a skilled hand with soldering irons and attribute my skilled application of the dual-iron microchip removal technique to my days at Center Television.
My father taught me to appreciate classical music, a love I retain to this day. He also exposed us to classics from the 40’s, OK not everything stuck with me.
Finally, my father has given me a strong sense of spiritual centering. Raised Catholic while honoring and respecting Jewish traditions, and then allowed to explore my spiritual path, my parents have supported their children each step of the way. In retrospect, this may have been the chief source of comfort during this very difficult week.
One can not die unless you have lived…or as my father would frequently remind me “many come to the feast, but few partake of the bounty.” My father’s wanderlust was just a symptom of his desire to live life to the fullest.
His travels brought him several times to walk in the footsteps of ancient Judaism and Christianity. In as much it is fitting to journey there as a place to reflect upon his life. I conclude as one does during the Passover Seder by saying:
L'Shana HaBa'ah Ba'Y'israel
Next Year in Israel!
Eulogy delivered by David
I leant upon a coppice gate
When Frost was spectre-gray,
And Winter's dregs made desolate
The weakening eye of day.
The tangled bine-stems scored the sky
Like strings of broken lyres,
And all mankind that haunted nigh
Had sought their household fires.
The land's sharp features seemed to be
The Century's corpse outleant,
His crypt the cloudy canopy,
The wind his death-lament.
The ancient pulse of germ and birth
Was shrunken hard and dry,
And every spirit upon earth
Seemed fevourless as I.
At once a voice arose among
The bleak twigs overhead
In a full-hearted evensong
Of joy illimited;
An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small,
In blast-beruffled plume,
Had chosen thus to fling his soul
Upon the growing gloom.
So little cause for carolings
Of such ecstatic sound
Was written on terrestrial things
Afar or nigh around,
That I could think there trembled through
His happy good-night air
Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew
And I was unaware.
- Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy
- First of all I just want to thank everyone here for all your amazing love and support. It is been a real comfort for me and my family to know that my father touched the lives of so many people in so many places.
-To see all these people here is truely an honor to our family and to my Dad.
-It is impossible to summarize or capture the essence of my father in one speech, but one truth that stands out for me is that he was the single most meaningful person in all my life.
-He taught me everything I know about hard work, about spirituality, about how to think critically and how to be open and accepting to different people, ideas and perspectives.
- He taught me and still teaches me how to live life and more importantly how to give back to life.
-My father would often say, “Come on babe, let’s have an adventure”.
- It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that his life was a series of adventures, whether making pilgrimages through Europe and the Middle East, or reinventing himself from small business owner to technology educator and theology academic.
Sometimes his adventures could mean kayaking through the everglades or programming his GPS to take back roads on a trip from Florida to Wisconsin. But sometimes it might mean just going against the flow and challenging himself and even the rest of us.
-Right now, I believe my Dad is on a whole new adventure; maybe driving a giant gilded RV down a open country road, windows down and Sinatra blaring out over the speakers.
- My father is also my father is my spiritual mentor.
- He taught me that understanding and finding God’s voice is not like taking something pre-packaged off the shelf but a rather a life-long journey that requires, study, questioning and contemplation.
- He taught me that it is possible to create a personal relationship with God beyond the confines of formalized institutions. And while I still have many questions and uncertainties, I will always be able to look to him and get great inspiration. And I have promised him never to stop searching.
- So it seems that the older I get, the more I find myself becoming like my father – in the things I say, the anxieties I have or the way I am with my own son, Benjamin.
- And this gives me enormous comfort because if I can become half the man that my father is, it would that I would be making a great contribution to this world – and a great contribution to life.
- And that is what my father is all about – about vibrant life and about giving back to life. My father truly lived, he embraced life in every corner, with every person and in every way.
- So thank you Dad for teaching me about life and showing me how I ought to live it. Thank you so much.
- I love you.
When Frost was spectre-gray,
And Winter's dregs made desolate
The weakening eye of day.
The tangled bine-stems scored the sky
Like strings of broken lyres,
And all mankind that haunted nigh
Had sought their household fires.
The land's sharp features seemed to be
The Century's corpse outleant,
His crypt the cloudy canopy,
The wind his death-lament.
The ancient pulse of germ and birth
Was shrunken hard and dry,
And every spirit upon earth
Seemed fevourless as I.
At once a voice arose among
The bleak twigs overhead
In a full-hearted evensong
Of joy illimited;
An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small,
In blast-beruffled plume,
Had chosen thus to fling his soul
Upon the growing gloom.
So little cause for carolings
Of such ecstatic sound
Was written on terrestrial things
Afar or nigh around,
That I could think there trembled through
His happy good-night air
Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew
And I was unaware.
- Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy
- First of all I just want to thank everyone here for all your amazing love and support. It is been a real comfort for me and my family to know that my father touched the lives of so many people in so many places.
-To see all these people here is truely an honor to our family and to my Dad.
-It is impossible to summarize or capture the essence of my father in one speech, but one truth that stands out for me is that he was the single most meaningful person in all my life.
-He taught me everything I know about hard work, about spirituality, about how to think critically and how to be open and accepting to different people, ideas and perspectives.
- He taught me and still teaches me how to live life and more importantly how to give back to life.
-My father would often say, “Come on babe, let’s have an adventure”.
- It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that his life was a series of adventures, whether making pilgrimages through Europe and the Middle East, or reinventing himself from small business owner to technology educator and theology academic.
Sometimes his adventures could mean kayaking through the everglades or programming his GPS to take back roads on a trip from Florida to Wisconsin. But sometimes it might mean just going against the flow and challenging himself and even the rest of us.
-Right now, I believe my Dad is on a whole new adventure; maybe driving a giant gilded RV down a open country road, windows down and Sinatra blaring out over the speakers.
- My father is also my father is my spiritual mentor.
- He taught me that understanding and finding God’s voice is not like taking something pre-packaged off the shelf but a rather a life-long journey that requires, study, questioning and contemplation.
- He taught me that it is possible to create a personal relationship with God beyond the confines of formalized institutions. And while I still have many questions and uncertainties, I will always be able to look to him and get great inspiration. And I have promised him never to stop searching.
- So it seems that the older I get, the more I find myself becoming like my father – in the things I say, the anxieties I have or the way I am with my own son, Benjamin.
- And this gives me enormous comfort because if I can become half the man that my father is, it would that I would be making a great contribution to this world – and a great contribution to life.
- And that is what my father is all about – about vibrant life and about giving back to life. My father truly lived, he embraced life in every corner, with every person and in every way.
- So thank you Dad for teaching me about life and showing me how I ought to live it. Thank you so much.
- I love you.
Eulogy delivered by Nancy
As you can imagine it was hard for me to figure out what to say today. How do I convey in a few words who my father was and what he meant to me.
Then I realized I did not need to convey that to any of you. My friends and I have a joke about popularity.., who gets invited out to lunch at work, who knows the most people when you go out etc... Well it is for sure, my dad has officially won the popularity contest. Words cannot even begin to convey my utter and complete awe yet total appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from so many this last week. The things that have been shared from friends and family about their love, respect and of my dad has been a huge comfort and reminder of what an incredible person he was.
My dad lived every minute of every day. He found joy in everything and he taught me to do the same--to be interested in every new opportunity, experience and learning. He taught me the value of family and friends and he was ALWAYS there for me. Not only did he enjoy time spent with his friends but he welcomed every chance to know my friends better as well.
He was quite about what he did, but he truly did so much. He reached out to those who needed him and extended an arm whenever possible. Just this summer when he was visiting me in WI he joined my friends for a day of landscaping at another friends home after his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Not once did he not complain that he was on vacation, but found great joy in the opportunity to meet the group and share in the experience. My friend whose name also happens to be Russ sent me a note this week that I felt captures everything I wanted to say about my dad and I wanted to share it with you today:
Nancy, I have been up since 4:45 am thinking of you and your family. I can only imagine the pain you are going through losing your father. It just isn’t fair. You know I am not religious, but I know wherever your dad is now it is a good place. He was a great Father, husband and friend. You are one of the lucky ones in life to have a father like your dad. Not only did he teach you how to be a productive member of society but he taught you the nuances of life. He taught you that negotiation is about both people winning. He taught you that giving of yourself to others isn’t something you should do, but something you should want to do. He taught you about the arts, and he taught you how to engage in thoughtful conversation. You are who you are today because you had a dad that most people could only dream of.
This to me says it all — one thing I have shared this week is that I have no regrets. I spent a lot of really good time with my dad and so did my kids.
I will miss him more than even I can imagine — but I know he loved me and he knows I love him.
Then I realized I did not need to convey that to any of you. My friends and I have a joke about popularity.., who gets invited out to lunch at work, who knows the most people when you go out etc... Well it is for sure, my dad has officially won the popularity contest. Words cannot even begin to convey my utter and complete awe yet total appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from so many this last week. The things that have been shared from friends and family about their love, respect and of my dad has been a huge comfort and reminder of what an incredible person he was.
My dad lived every minute of every day. He found joy in everything and he taught me to do the same--to be interested in every new opportunity, experience and learning. He taught me the value of family and friends and he was ALWAYS there for me. Not only did he enjoy time spent with his friends but he welcomed every chance to know my friends better as well.
He was quite about what he did, but he truly did so much. He reached out to those who needed him and extended an arm whenever possible. Just this summer when he was visiting me in WI he joined my friends for a day of landscaping at another friends home after his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Not once did he not complain that he was on vacation, but found great joy in the opportunity to meet the group and share in the experience. My friend whose name also happens to be Russ sent me a note this week that I felt captures everything I wanted to say about my dad and I wanted to share it with you today:
Nancy, I have been up since 4:45 am thinking of you and your family. I can only imagine the pain you are going through losing your father. It just isn’t fair. You know I am not religious, but I know wherever your dad is now it is a good place. He was a great Father, husband and friend. You are one of the lucky ones in life to have a father like your dad. Not only did he teach you how to be a productive member of society but he taught you the nuances of life. He taught you that negotiation is about both people winning. He taught you that giving of yourself to others isn’t something you should do, but something you should want to do. He taught you about the arts, and he taught you how to engage in thoughtful conversation. You are who you are today because you had a dad that most people could only dream of.
This to me says it all — one thing I have shared this week is that I have no regrets. I spent a lot of really good time with my dad and so did my kids.
I will miss him more than even I can imagine — but I know he loved me and he knows I love him.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Obituary for Russell J. Francisco
Adored grandfather, beloved dad and loving husband, Russell Joseph Francisco passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 5, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marge; son, Mark (wife Laraine); daughter, Nancy Francisco-Welke (husband John); son David (wife Anita);, grandchildren, Conor, Ali, Cayla, Noah, and Benjamin, and twin brother, Roger.
Russell deeply touched the lives of many people, including extended family, neighbors, colleagues and friends around the world. He was a small business owner for 35 years before starting a teaching career at Seton Hall University. He retired as captain of the Scotch Plains volunteer fire department and was an active supporter of several philanthropic organizations. Russell was an avid gardener, cyclist, hiker, amateur naturalist and a great lover of Florida's nature.
Russell lived life to the absolute fullest and while he left it too early, he left it doing something he enjoyed, at a place he loved, surrounded by people who adored him.
A time to visit and funeral ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 at Church of the Ascension in Bradley Beach, (service is at 11 a.m.). In lieu of flowers, gifts in Russell's name may be made to The Conservancy of Southwest Florida (http://www.conservancy.org/).
Link to the Aug 7th obituary
Russell deeply touched the lives of many people, including extended family, neighbors, colleagues and friends around the world. He was a small business owner for 35 years before starting a teaching career at Seton Hall University. He retired as captain of the Scotch Plains volunteer fire department and was an active supporter of several philanthropic organizations. Russell was an avid gardener, cyclist, hiker, amateur naturalist and a great lover of Florida's nature.
Russell lived life to the absolute fullest and while he left it too early, he left it doing something he enjoyed, at a place he loved, surrounded by people who adored him.
A time to visit and funeral ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009 at Church of the Ascension in Bradley Beach, (service is at 11 a.m.). In lieu of flowers, gifts in Russell's name may be made to The Conservancy of Southwest Florida (http://www.conservancy.org/).
Link to the Aug 7th obituary
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