HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

He was born in a shack, in Rockville Center, the first of three children of Joseph and Frances. He never knew his Dad, since his father died from the Spanish Influenza Today, had he lived, Dad would have been 96-years old.

Dad was a real person, a people’s person, and a genuine article. He could find trouble where there was none, and in the process, give his kids something to laugh at for the rest of their lives. He was also a teaser, and a good sport. I told you about his stuffed lentil recipe, and there were other things just as creative.

But the best happened on a ferry going over to Connecticut in 1968. Dad was a big coffee drinker and had a lot that morning as we boarded the ferry. We were about 7 of us, going to visit my sister who was getting married soon and we went to meet her future husband Tom’s family.

Dad had to use the restroom immediately, if not sooner! The ferry had a bank of rest rooms and they were not marked clearly enough for dear old Dad. No, he didn’t need to know where the men’s room opposed to the ladies room was situated: any room will do. Dad entered the first rest room he could find, and opened the stall and sure enough, there sat on the can, a woman we knew from East Patchogue, doing her business! Dad was mortified, running out and Mom, looking on in horror said: “And now what?”

Well, every time my sisters or me looked at Dad that weekend, we would break out laughing so hard, our sides splitting, failing to get any words out. And Dad? Well Dad wasn’t done that weekend, no, he sheepishly went through the weekend finding new things to do accidently, that to this day we still laugh at.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! 

Love your only son.

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And a special shout out to an old high school buddy of mine:

Michele DePalo, aka DeVito, still trying to push pass 39 again. 

Happy birthday kid! Although still a Yankee fan, we still love her.

Happy Birthday, Michele!

Love, Joe & Ellen

P.S. Go out and treat yourself to a new wardrobe!