EULOGY
JEFF ROYCE
Dad's Gift to Me
I had amazing experiences with Dad, flying in the airplane, sometimes even as his co-pilot, going camping in the Boundary Waters, sailing on Lake of the Woods, building a kayak in our garage, going over blueprints and being with him at construction sites when buildings were being built and many, many more…
I cannot make the case growing up that I was ever in need of anything from my parents. I had all that I could possibly need (except possibly my own phone in my bedroom). Come to think of it, maybe my own bedroom… (instead of sharing one with my older brother Garry). And my own bathroom… … (instead of sharing one with Garry AND my 3 sisters)
But, actually, I didn’t really need these things.
The only thing I really do know that I wanted, was a grandfather. My mother’s father, Gershon Sebulsky, whom our brother Garry was named after, died before my parents married, and Dad’s father, Sam, died when I was about 2 ½ years old, and I only have 1 memory of him. And, I knew I was missing something important, because our Grandma Lily was so amazing to me. She listened to me, she heard me, she was always there for me. She gave me the gift of hours and hours of her time.
So, when I was a young father and Elliott asked me what he could do for our sons I remember clearly saying to him, “Dad, I only want one thing, please spend time with David and Michael.”
And, boy did he deliver. Just ask our sons or any of his grandkids.
Thanks for hearing me, Dad.
JEFF ROYCE
Dad's Gift to Me
I had amazing experiences with Dad, flying in the airplane, sometimes even as his co-pilot, going camping in the Boundary Waters, sailing on Lake of the Woods, building a kayak in our garage, going over blueprints and being with him at construction sites when buildings were being built and many, many more…
I cannot make the case growing up that I was ever in need of anything from my parents. I had all that I could possibly need (except possibly my own phone in my bedroom). Come to think of it, maybe my own bedroom… (instead of sharing one with my older brother Garry). And my own bathroom… … (instead of sharing one with Garry AND my 3 sisters)
But, actually, I didn’t really need these things.
The only thing I really do know that I wanted, was a grandfather. My mother’s father, Gershon Sebulsky, whom our brother Garry was named after, died before my parents married, and Dad’s father, Sam, died when I was about 2 ½ years old, and I only have 1 memory of him. And, I knew I was missing something important, because our Grandma Lily was so amazing to me. She listened to me, she heard me, she was always there for me. She gave me the gift of hours and hours of her time.
So, when I was a young father and Elliott asked me what he could do for our sons I remember clearly saying to him, “Dad, I only want one thing, please spend time with David and Michael.”
And, boy did he deliver. Just ask our sons or any of his grandkids.
Thanks for hearing me, Dad.