Loyal. Hard Working. Clever. Those are just some of the words that can describe my Dad……

 

……My favorite description would be family man!

 

His charisma was vivid. It was so apparent as soon as you met him - that did not change, even until the day he died.

 

A quiet man that didn’t need to be verbose, however, he had such a wicked sense of humor. He had a dead pan delivery with a devilish glint in his eye. With such a memorable laugh -

 

“ Heh Heh”

 

Especially if I was annoyed or flustered at him, the laugh got louder!

 

He loved; The Godfather Trilogy, Elvis, Jimmy Roselli, Fedora Hats, Diamond Pinky Rings and a sharp suit.

 

He was partial to Pink from London.

 

My father was a proud civil servant who worked for the MTA with 20+ years on the job. He was a union man!

 

He climbed from mechanic to foreman to line supervisor and his ambition didn’t stop there. He partnered in 3 used car lots over the years and in retirement, loved Day Trading. The man kept active and busy.

 

He was a Republican……. except for when his daughter was working for the White House. He actually turned Dem that year - making sure Clinton was re-elected so his daughter can stay in the Administration.

 

Thank you, Daddy.

 

He loved his wife and children, taking care of his ailing wife Merle until her death in 2010 and supported his son, Anthony until his untimely death in 2020.

 

As for me? Well, I am a quintessential Daddy’s girl:

 

When I was a little girl, I followed him everywhere he went, as long as I had my purse that had some money and my candy stash I made sure my accomplishments were his, as a Caribbean man, I think he would appreciate the effort My fashion sense definitely came from him - I do have a thing for hats as well! And the sarcasm???!!!! Oh that was from Dad

 

And what can I say about his other Princess, Rosie?

 

There are no words to describe the love he had for her and vice-versa. I owe that doggie-diva a debt of gratitude - she brought him joy until the very end.

 

However complex my father was, his pleasures were very simple:

he loved the Yankees To hang with the boys on the corner to play lotto and have a beer or two Loved his neighbors and all that the neighborhood offered him.

 

My love for my father - my family, for that matter, knew no bounds. Dad, please kiss my mother and brother for me. I miss them terribly. I won’t lie, it is hard to be without all of you here on this earth.

 

Thank you for giving me life and sacrificing your own so I can be the woman I am today.

 

I love you. Happy Father’s Day. It is my great honor and privilege to be your daughter.

 

May you Rest In Peace. You deserve it and then some. Your light will still shine but now it will be through me…I promise you.