My father died last Wednesday, June 3rd while I was away in Milwaukee.
He was such a character, full of charm and bluster and life. When he was first hospitalized a few weeks ago, my husband and I found him in the Medical Intensive Care unit, flirting with the nurses like he was just there for a social visit. He always loved to strike up conversations with strangers, and he collected friends and admirers from all around.
I had the privilege of working for him in the family business after I graduated from college. While I always loved and admired my dad, working for him allowed me to appreciate him, and the depth of his intelligence, in a whole new way. He loved the company he founded and work was a passion for him. He had a truly analytical mind and could easily sort out a variety of solutions to a business problem. I remember coming to him about some trivial issue I’d encountered, all indignant that he didn’t understand my perspective, only to find that he’d fully examined that viewpoint and rejected it in favor of a more appropriate solution. I’d been thinking he was the narrow minded one only to discover that he had a much broader perspective than I had.
Some of my fondest memories of him are from family vacations:
Early mornings at the lake in Maine, with Dad shouting “Everybody up for a pre-breakfast swim!”
Numerous walks along the beach in the Bahamas. I especially liked it when we’d splash along in the shallow water singing silly songs. “H, a, double r, i, g, a, n spells Harrigan”
Playing ping pong with a bunch of other families at a ski lodge in Vermont and his Texan friend Davy, yelling out to him “”Wooly, get your navel to the grass!”
Standing behind his chair rubbing his temples.
Watching him joking around and singing with a barber on the street in Italy even though my dad didn’t speak a word of Italian.
His face whenever he talked about my mother.
Rest in peace William George Andrew West. Give Mother a kiss for me. We love you both.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so sorry, Libby! Thank God for the wonderful memories that help you smile during this sad time!
Libby – my thoughts are with you at this very sad time. A daddy’s girl is always a special one and that will never ever change. My Dad died almost 14 years ago but I still talk to him and feel his guiding supportive presence every now and again when I need that extra reassurance.
He will be very proud of what you have written.
Big hugs
Kylee
My deepest condolences, Libby.
That was beautiful, Lib. Your dad was always larger then life to me as a young girl. Always laughing. And so patient with us chattering, giggly girls under foot.
Thinking of you.
Ash
Sorry for your loss, Libby. Thanks for sharing his life with us.
Hi Libby,
My father was very special to me too. He died in 1992 and I still ask him for advice. And I think of him each time I use one of his tools to do a project, whether in the studio or another household task. My condolences to you.
Lenora
Your memories are a gift….enjoy them…treasure them….
Libby: I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.
Libby, my heart cries out to you in your pain and sorrow – yet, I see in you a love so deep and solid, that your memories and your love will help carry you during this difficult time. My thoughts and my deepest prayers I send out to you, and please know that you are held in your father’s hands, and find comfort there.
Libby…how beautiful. Now we all know what a wonderful person he was.
What a wonderful tribute to your dad! I could tell a lot about him from your words. So sorry for your loss and hope your memories carry you along.
Thanks for your tribute, Libby. It makes me appreciate my own Dad more and puts things in perspective. Sending you prayers and love.
Libby,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
My deepest sympathy is with you,
Seth
Libby, what a beautiful memorial to your Dad. The love and respect you have for him shines through.
Thank you for sharing your Dad with us in your post.
I can feel all the love that surrounds all of you.
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
Sharon
Libby – You & your family have my deepest sympathies.
You’ve painted a portrait of your dad that can’t help but let us all see what a wonderful person he was. I know I’ll be giving my dad an extra big hug next time I see him, and can’t help but think I’m not the only one.
I am so sorry for your loss, Libby. Your tribute was beautiful.
Your dad sounds a lot like mine … always the social butterfly, forever a flirt (in the best, most wonderful way).
We have been so blessed to have such men in our lives, and forever in our hearts and memories.
I’m so sorry for your loss Libby and so grateful that you shared a bit of your dad with us. He sounds a lot like the kind of dad my father was to me.
You will surely miss him every day, but with joyous memories like yours he will always be with you.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
So very sorry to hear of your loss Libby. I lost my Dad 5 years ago. Even as grown women, we can feel orphaned after our parents are gone. It’s a blessing that you had such a great relationship with your Dad and are able to focus on your wonderful memories. My thoughts are with you.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Libby. I lost my dad when I was 27, and the best advice I got was that you should honor his memory by learning to do for yourself the things he used to do for you. He would want that for you. I hope your family can find solace in your wonderful memories of him and a faith in a better future.
Dear Libby and Wendy,
I have been thinking of you after I heard about your Dad.
It is so hard to lose a parent, I remember the grief well.
Bill was accomplished and an unusual person.
We really had fun and I am sorry it ended in bitterness.
I have not had contact with either of you since, but I am thinking of you both. My best to you, your children,and husbands. They were on my watch and I remember well the joy marriage and parenthood came to you both.
Affectionately, Ann Pritchard
My deepest condolences on the passing of your father. What a beautiful tribute. The first picture is priceless.
Libby, sorry to hear of your loss of you father. My heart goes out to you. Thanks for the glimpse into his personality and life. He sounds like he was a wonderful man.
xo
tejae
Oh Libby…
You were on my mind a great deal after speaking to you at the B&B teachers reception on Wednesday. I know that life is a circle but when it actually closes…it does so with such a sense of loss. Yet you are so blessed – your Dad sounds like a man who celebrated life…one who made this world a better place while he was in it and who leaves you with memories you will treasure forever. Thanks for sharing some of them.
- Julie