Two special people I dearly miss

I really do not want to make you guys sad while reading this week's blog. I'm sure most of you can all relate to my blog I posted for the week. Two Wednesdays ago on February 1, it would have been my grandfather's 72nd birthday. His grandchildren called him "Papa" which originated by my cousin Drew, but many would call him Al (short for Aloysius, his real name) or Butch. He was a hard working, loving, and caring man. He worked at Bettinger's Greenhouse in Swanton as a foreman. One of his good friends and co-workers at the greenhouse was the father of one of my favorite teachers at Evergreen. It was so cool to know my Social Studies 10 teacher remembers Papa. Unfortunately on October 21, 2005 he lost his battle with lung cancer at the age of 60. I was in the second grade and eight years old at that time, and my family were deeply heartbroken about his untimely passing. 60 is way too young of an age to die, and he left the world much too soon. 11 years later on his birthday, or the day he entered Heaven, I always think about him and I'll never forget his memory he left behind for his loving family to forever cherish. Even though I was just eight when the grandfather I only knew passed away, I wish I knew my other grandfather who left the world three years before I was born. My other grandfather known as Grandpa Don has left an impact on me. Like Papa, Don was a hard working, loving, and caring family man who loved all his family members. He sold farm equipment in Lyons (my hometown) for a living at the family business started by his father John. Don ran O'Neil Implement along with his two brothers, Gerald and Bill, for many years until November 1992 when Don suffered a stroke. In March 1993, Don was placed in a nursing home while his health continued to decline. Sadly, on December 30, 1994 he died at the age of 72 just five months before the birth of my older brother Brian. Grandpa Don never met Brian, me, or my sister Maureen, but I know he is proud of all his grandchildren and he still loves us to this day. I always remember Grandpa Don on December 30th or his birthday June 4th because my family keeps his memory alive and cherishes the memory of Grandpa Don. Even though I never met him, my family always tells me great things about Grandpa Don, and how he is proud of me. Grandpa Don and Papa definitely passed away too soon, but when we lose a loved one, they will live forever in our hearts. Also we can always keep their memory alive. I also know that they are happy with all their other family members and friends in Heaven.