Happy Birthday Dad.... May 25, 1907

my dad

Today, is my dad's birthday.  He was born May 25, 1907 in London, England. He was 7 years old when WW1 started (1914) and 11 when it ended (1918). He used to tell me he remembered seeing bombed out houses... houses with the walls blown out. I never thought to ask where they lived during the bombing... and as a kid, he may not have remembered. 

But in 1918 Grandpa took Grandma, Dad and his 2 younger siblings to America via Ellis Island. They actually sailed across 3 times... 1918,1919, and 1920. Then stayed in 1920 and settled in Jacksonville, Fla. I've often wondered why they moved from England, but I can only guess it was to get away from the ravages of the war. Some family members said that Grandpa needed to get away from the damp climate... but it's just a guess, we'll never really know. 

When dad was 17 he got a job at an Architectural plant in New Orleans and moved the whole family there.  That's where he met mom... and that's where I grew up.

I used to go with him sometimes when he was driving around the the little towns and bayous of Louisiana checking out the stoneware on the churches, etc. We'd sing "Onward Christian Soldiers" in the car.

Dad and his brother (and I think Uncle Gil) built a boat and a fishing camp on Grand Isle. The men and boys would go there to fish. I didn't get to go often as it was a one room camp shared by several bunk beds, a small kitchen area, no bathroom... just a pier over the water. Dad took my brother who didn't really like to fish. I loved to fish, but could only go if no one else was going to be there. It made me mad as a child... really didn't understand why being a girl made a difference. 

Anyway, these are some of my memories of my father... also the aroma of a cigar or pipe tobacco. Dad was a quiet gentle man, a good man. He died at 75 with Cancer... but not from cancer, but from a stroke during his cancer treatment in the hospital. I still miss him. 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian