Memories of Dads

Anna Conda · June 2006

No specific Father's Day memories, but...

My Dad had me around steam from day one, almost literally: I've got a photograph of him holding me, at 3 months old, standing in front of an old steam locomotive, #4923.

When I was a little older, maybe four, my Dad showed me a toy he used to play with as a child. It was a toy steam engine. You filled the reservoir with water using an eyedropper, pushed in a little pellet of solid fuel, lit 'er up and away she ran, whistling all the way. I thought it fascinating.

Old #4923 wasn't my first steam locomotive, either. When I was nine, my Dad took me on a trip to Niagara Falls. That's special enough, but this was one of the last runs of the old steam locomotive #6060. I spent the whole forward trip sandwiched between cars with one of the conductors. The return trip was spent up in old 6060 herself, talking to the engineers and watching them stoke coal into the old girl's boilers. Yep, she was a heritage model! I came back from that trip covered in soot and smoke and grinning like a clown.

Dad was so proud of me when I got my stationary engineer ticket. I miss you, Daddy.

Dave Yates (PAH) · June 2006

I'm curious

As Father's Day approaches, do you have any memories of Father's Day that stand out. Something unique or special from the past? Things you did that were out-of-the-ordinary? Things, that as a Dad, you remember fondly?

I remember:

* A Father's Day outing at Hershey Park when it was colder than you-know-where & we all froze to death!

* A cherished clock with touching inscription from all my "kids" (Daughter-in-law included).

* Giving my Dad a letter telling him how much his love & support have meant to me all these decades. We might not have him with us much longer, so we're planning a big day.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Al Letellier_9 · June 2006

father's Day

Sure do....Dad is a retired plumber (91 now) and back in the mid/late 50's he took my twin sister and I to a ball game at Fenway. It was a double header against the old Washington Senators. Remember it like yesterday....took the train into South Station and the subway to Kenmore. Saw Ted Williams hit a homer in the second game. Can even remember the line up...Williams, Piersal and Jensen in the OF, Malzone, Goodman, Klaus and Reynolds in the IF, Sammy White catching and Ike Delock and Frank Sullivan pitching....those were the days, and the memories...priceless !!

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Matt J._2 · June 2006

Thanks for sharing

your stories Anna and Dave. My dad has been gone for 3 years now and I miss him everday. Just remember to tell them that you love them. To this day I regret that maybe I didn't tell him more often then I did, even though I know he knew.

As for stories I remember him buying me my first bike on or near fathers day. It was raining that day and since he was a farmer it was a perfect day to go to town to go bike shopping. We must have circled the block forever just to get a parking spot in front of the store. To bad it rained for three days straight before I could even take it out and try it out.
The look on his face as years later when he decided to show me how he could ride my new dirt bike. I told him alot less throttle and easy on the clutch. Needless to say It was the best wheelie I had ever seen an older guy ride!
To this day when I smell a hot clutch I think of whe he taught me how to to dave a manual shift in the pasture on the farm.
He was a jack of many and probably a master of none but he taught me many many things. Most of which I take with me to work and life everyday. And for this I will forever be grateful.
I miss ya Dad! And yes I Love Ya!!!!!

EBEBRATT-Ed · June 2006

Going ice skateing with the old man. Out of us four kids I was the only one who really liked to skate-so going skating was just for us. He had these old skates and we didn't go often and I was amazed at this "old guy" who could really fly on skates as I struggled to keep up.

Ed

Terry_14 · June 2006

Dad Knew it was a BOY

As Cindy & I prepaired for our babby's arival. My Dad in the background and without sharing with us purchased a small pair of cowboy boots and sure enough Our Son Frank was born 32 years ago June Second.

However my fondest memory is the hand written letter Dad sent me expresing his Love and pride in me as his son and the wonderfull wife i had chosen.

Although Dad passed in 1993 a local welder was doing a job for me and he called me son, well just last month I visited him and he hugged me again as he always does. A man who in passing gave me fond rememberances of my Dads love.

On my last visit I told Wayne what his hugs and love for me ment "Wayne I don't want to stand over your grave wishing I returned the love you showed me. I want you to know it now"

We both parted with moist eyes and another huge hug. So as my dad would have done I now give hugs to those who want one, in that way I honor Dad and his memory.

This week you will find me in the card aisle with moist eyes as I search for just the right card I would have sent this Fathers day.

Blessings to all Dads and the children who Love them !

Terry T.

[Deleted User] · June 2006

The greatest pool shot ever...

was my dad. He once told me that he knew for a fact that he could make a tidy living playing pool. I believed him. As a child, we had a Brunswick Balke Callendar pool table in our basement.

During my apprenticeship under my dad, it was a common practice to stop by any one of a number of taverns for a few cold ones and a couple of games of pool. One particular evening will stay in my mind forever. Pops was a fun loving man. He'd play for beer, or the table, but never big bucks. On this particular night, he was hotter than a volcano. Some smart alecki punk came up for his turn on the table, and said "We're playing for $20.00" To which pops replied, "It is my table, and I say we're playing for the table or a beer, not $20.00. What's your pleasure, other than $20.00?" The kid say's in his smart alecky voice, "I'm taking this table away from you old man, and then I'm playing for $20.00 per round!"

Dad just smiled and said "Rack'em".

Dad breaks the rack with a MIGHTY whack, there were balls going every which direction. The cue ball went straight up in the air and kind of hung suspended there for a second, whirring seemingly gravity free, then finally hit the table, bounced once, landed on the side rail, rolled down the rail like it was a slot car, fell off the rail back onto the playing surface and knocked the 8 ball into the corner pocket. GAME OVER! He'd made the 8 on the break.

The bar errupted in a massive cheer. The kid, standing there dumb founded sez "TABLE SCRATCH, you lose, the cue ball left the table!"

Dad calmly walked over to the kid, smiles and whispered in his ear "I may be an old man, but I'm going to rip you a new one", to which the kid took one swing at the old man, which he side stepped, and before you could say "What the..", the kid was overwhelmed with bar patrons and bouncers on the floor. He was scarped off the floor by his elbows and swept outside where the cops were waiting for him.

Needless to say, the old man held the table for the rest of the night, playing for free and/or beers.

One other time, when he and I were up ice fishing in the mountains, and had gone into the little village to play pool at the two lane bowling alley, we could NOT lose, and the patrons of that bar were calling their friends at home asking them to come down and whip us on the table. No one could. We held the table all night long...

I miss the old guy. I think of him all the time, especialy when someone asks me if I know how to play pool;-)

Happy Fathers Day to all of you fathers out there.

ME

Anna Conda · June 2006

****, guys, guess what I just found?

http://www.6060.org/

This is her! The very locomotive! OMG!

..scuze me, gotta go have a cry now...

Supply House Rick · June 2006

I envy all of you

Zero memories, no hunting, fishing, encouraging comments, no "congrats on graduating college, on having 5 wonderful children and yeah he's still alive. I envy all of you...

Rick

Anna Conda · June 2006

You just described my grandma :-P It bites hard.

Dave Stroman · June 2006

I lost my dad just 3 weeks ago. There is really no way to prepare yourself, even when you know it is comming. When you look through the old family photos, you realize that the most important thing your dad could have done is to be there. He worked hard, raised us the best he could, and we are all in a better place because of him. If there is anything you would like to say to your dad, say it now. Tomorrow, or next week, or next month may be too late.

Dave in Denver

ScottMP · June 2006

Lost my Dad

22 years ago ... and it seems like yesterday.

Memories .. where to start.

The Baseball game at Fenway, like AL, was a great day. I just did the same last year for my oldest. Spent the whole day in Boston just like Dad did with me.

I hav'nt laughed for hours yet, like Dad did, when I fell through the ice in three feet of water while playing hockey with him. " Hey Dad the ice is great over here CRACK ".

My boys get to pull my finger or when I feel a little preasure down below I'll take a walk over to thier room... just like Dad did

( boys are great ).

I hug them everyday and tell them I love them , just like Dad did.

Best words of wisdom ( and he had a lot ) was when he asked me how I was getting along at my first plumbing company. I said " they tease me alot ".

" Scott, thats cause they like you. If guys don't like you, they don't talk to you. If their kidding with you, thats cause they like you."

Dad was a smart guy.

Thanks for making me remember. Happy Fathers Day.

Scott

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Maine Doug_40 · June 2006

me too

Nice to know that good Dads are out there. Mine used to beat the crap out of me with a leather belt for minor infractions. He and the old lady drank too much. One day I showed him the sawed off gun I had made and told him if he hit me again he was going to be very dead. Left home as a young teenager and visited one Christmas. That was not a good idea and departed on Christmas day and walked and hitched 120 miles (too young to own a car) in a Canadian winter snow fall. Got picked up on the highway in Montreal by the cops, seems that hitching was not allowed but they delivered me to my uncle's house. Just one of many times I would disappear and stay where ever I could.

Went back to high school and graduated at age 21 and managed to get into college. Got married and have 2 boys and a daughter-in-law and new granddaughter. Have worked hard to learn how to be a better Dad. It has been quite an experience. Thanks to my Uncle for being my other Dad.

So like Dan says, hug your kids, every chance you get.

Man, it was difficult to write this.

Terry_14 · June 2006

I applaud your courage

Dad told all of us "Through strife comes courage" Main Doug I don't think I would have had the courage to share susch personal hardship.

Your wife and family must be proud of you to rise above strife and be the Dad you never had.

Dan is right the hugs my Dad gave me sustain me in strife and to have another to carry on has blessed me.

Should you ever be at baseball hall of Fame i'm just 22 miles away and have a hug to share.

Blessings Dad and grandfather this Sunday

Terry T.

Memories of Dads

Comments

Categories