farewell to an Irishman

Here he is, eating one of his favorite meals at one of his favorite places, MacElwee's Seafood House on Tybee.
Notice that smile on his face? That's because he was sitting beside his favorite daughter, who was visiting from San Diego.
No matter that she was lecturing him about his smoking.
She was there, at his side.
Oh, did I say favorite daughter? Actually, she is his only daughter and the only child that he and his beloved wife, Maggie, ever had.
What was the occasion?
Well, it was August 9th of 2013.
His 69th birthday was on the way.
Her 45th birthday was coming up, too.

Now he's gone. A stroke on New Year's Day laid him low, leading to his death yesterday morning.
No more trips to Virginia to visit his brother and family.
No more high school reunions to attend.
No more hunting and fishing.

He'll be missed at the American Legion meetings in Thunderbolt. Post 36 is the one we shared. At one time, he and Maggie spent a lot of time there. At one time, he served as the Post's Chaplain.
He hasn't spent as much time there in the past few years, so he and I rarely saw each other.
At the news of his death, though, several people have spoken up with words of remembrance of him and words of solace for his daughter.
That is a good thing.
Memories are all that are left now.