Giordani

My Grandfather passed away on June 9, 2002 at 5:09 am. My wife and I just left the hospital at 2:00am. Thinking that I would be able to see him the next day. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. He wasn't suffering, it was his time to go. As grand-pop would say "My house is ready. They just put the last nail in." He was in the hospital for about a week. He went in because he fell about a month ago, and cracked a bone in his neck. He didnt tell anybody, that was just the way he was. A strong willed man. He couldnt move his body one morning, so that is why they took him in. When they ran the tests, they found cancer in his body. His lungs were full of it. The doctor's say it has been growing for about 9 months to a year. So he only had a little time left, and he didnt tell anybody. So, we started going to the hospital on Thursday. They started radiation on him Thursday, gave it to him on Friday, but stopped. He wasn't getting better, he was getting worse.

We took the kids in on Thursday and Friday, but didnt take them on Saturday. He was deteriorating fast and we didnt want the kids to see him that way. He was in good spirits and talking on Thursday, and the kids told him they loved him and he told them it back, and kissed them, so that is something good for them to remember. On Friday, it was totally different, he was slipping into a coma, sleeping all the time, and that wasnt good for the kids to see. So, with him getting worse, we didnt want the kids to see that, and then that would have been their last memory of their Great-Grandpop. And we didnt want that. So we got a baby sitter and we went to the hospital on Saturday. We got there about 3pm, and stayed until 2am. We all talked and just watched over him. There was no movement, only the snoring. He started to get worse after 8pm. His lungs were filling up, was having trouble breathing, blood pressure dropping. So we knew the time was coming. All we could do was wait. So that is what we did.

Father Dan, told us that we had to say our good-byes to him. So we did. We could take as long as we wanted, when we wanted to. It was our choice. So I waited. And waited. I knew what I wanted to say to him, I just didnt know how to. So, throughout the day and night, people came, and said their peace to him. And around 9-9:15pm, I was sitting next to Wendy at the end of his bed. And he moved his legs. He didnt move the whole time we were there, and all of a sudden, his leg moved. I looked at my mother, and she saw it too. And she told me, his time was coming, and that is when it hit me. I had to talk to him, I had to tell him what I needed to. So, the tears started, and I told my mom, it was time for me to say my good-byes. So she asked everyone to leave the room so I could be alone with him. Wendy came to my side, and I bless her for it. But this was something I had to do on my own. So I asked her and my mother to leave the room, so they went to the door. I dont think they were going to leave, but Wendy said she saw my face turn red, and she asked my mom to leave with her. I am kinda glad they did, because I lost it then.

I dont really like to lose it in front of people. I guess its a control thing. I like to be in control of myself. But this was my grandfather we're talking about, someone I love dearly. So, I guess I am allowed to lose control once in a while. So I sat next to his bed, and I talked to him. And I screwed up. I forgot the most important thing that was said. You were supposed to whisper in his ear. And I didnt. It felt like I talked to him for 5-10 mins, but I really couldnt tell you. I talked to him about the past, the things we used to do. I told him I loved him, and that it was ok to let go. That we would be all right. I told him thank you for being at my wedding. That grandmom was waiting for him, and I told him that John would help him to cross. Then I kissed him on the forehead and whispered in his ear that I loved him. Then I walked out of the room. I said my peace.

We were told that he could hear what was going on around him. But your always told that about people in comas, or people that are dying. And you have that thought that "No, they cant hear you or anybody else." Well I'll tell you what, it is the truth. After I said my peace to him, my wife and I took a walk and we ran into Father Sullivan. He was coming to give my grandfather his last rites. So we all gathered around the bed, and he started. At one point during the prayer my grandfather had tears coming out of his eyes. Only 2 people saw it that I know of. My Mother and I. And we looked at each other and were astonished. For the rest of the night we sat around and just talked and laughed about Aunt Clem and we found out some interesting things about our family. Not bad things, just things. Like Huey, Duey, and Louey. You know who you are. :) And then Wendy and I left. And this is where my tribute began. But like all tributes, it must go on.

Like all things, grand pop started out like everyone else...a baby. Wasnt he cute? Anyway, he grew up, but had a rough life. And it taught him things. Like Father Dan said at the funeral, "Anthony was a little man, with a big heart." I love that, because that is what he was. He would help anybody he could. Our grandfather, worked on the Reading Railroad. Some of the pictures are of him working. When we were kids we used to take the train to Phila to go to a stamp store. That was my grandfathers other passion. Stamp Collecting. We would come over on Sundays, and we would sit in his workshop and do stamps. Sometimes for 5-6 hours. Until we heard the tapping on pipes. That is what Grandmom did, to tell us dinner was ready. We'd go eat dinner, and then come back down and do more stamps. As a child this was the greatest thing to me. Spending time with my grandfather. As I got older, we still did the stamps, but not as often. But, between 1987 and 1992 I moved back in with my mom, and about every month, I would spend a few hours with my grandfather doing stamps, just like I was a kid again. I always waited for the tapping on the pipes, but my grandmother passed away on Sept. 7, 1988. So it never came. He taught me some things about the stamps, but he wouldnt teach me Italian. I always wanted to learn it.

So, as we were growing up, grandpop also was a carnie. You know, worked at a carnival. He would run the Skee-ball games. And we would go, just to see him. And since we were his grandkids, he would give us money to play the games, and if we wouldnt get enough points, he would just toss us some prizes. I remember one time, there was a teenager playing next to us, and we didnt get enough points, so he did his normal, and this teenager started to yell at grandpop. Grandpop just looked at the kid, and said "These are my grandkids, so just shut up." I dont think those were the exact words, but it was close. The kid just looked at us, and walked away, but I think grandpop gave him a prize. Because that is the way he was. A kind hearted man.

Grand Pop had 4 children. Anthony, Pat, Mary Ann, and Ronnie. On May 25, 2002, at 5:25pm Uncle Tony died from cancer. My mother, Mary Ann, flew out there for the funeral. He was born on July 28, 1944. I didnt really know my Uncle Tony, I believe he moved to Texas when I was young. My grandfather didnt go, because he couldn't. But he told my mother to go. When she came back a week later, grandpop was in the hospital. Less than a week later, my grandfather died. Mom thought he would die exactly a week after Uncle Tony died, but he lasted another 12 hours. My mom is taking it very hard. Having to go to 2 funerals in 2 weeks. We are trying to be there for her, but she is just like grandpop. She keeps everything to herself.

The last time I truly saw my grandfather healthy was at our wedding. Before we got married, grandpop was in the hospital for either a heart attack, or a minor stroke. Over the last 2 years he has been in and out of the hospital, so it is hard to say. But we went to visit him, and grandpop and Wendy were talking, and grandpop asked who was walking Wendy down the aisle. Wendy said her son, Bobby. Grandpop offered to walk Wendy down the aisle. We were kinda joking around with him, and said "Are you even making it to the wedding", and he said "I wouldn't miss it." Well he made it to the wedding, but he didnt walk Wendy down the aisle. I am just glad he made it to the wedding. But by my calculations, that is about the time the doctors said the cancer started in his body. At our wedding, they celebrated grand-pops 87th birthday. After our wedding he was in the hospital a few more times. And we went to see him each time. I was told that he was asking for me during this last trip to the hospital. I guess like the rest of the family, I held a special place in his heart and his life. Just like he holds a special place in my heart and in my life.

Ti amo Gran-Schiocco e li mancheṛ caro.

I love you Grand-Pop and I'll miss you dearly.

Glenn





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