March 29, 2007 - Thoughts of Paul Webster

It is very early in the morning on Thursday, March 29th, 2007. My father, whom I called "Pop" passed away yesterday afternoon after suffering a heart attack at the age of 89. I will miss him, he was my best friend.

My mother died 6 years ago on April 8, 2001. When she died, Pop handled it very well and said he wanted to live another 20 years because he had things to do. Although he had a wish to continue life on this earth, I strongly believe my mother needed him by her side. My mom's heart attack occurred on March 26th, 2001 while I was on a business trip in Dallas, and I flew home the next day to be with her and the rest of my family while she was in the hospital saying goodbye to all those she loved so dearly. Pop was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of a heart attack exactly 6 years to the day of Mom's heart attack. Whatever your belief may be, be that Christian, or spiritual in other means, I truly believe my mother was tired of waiting, and needed my father by her side.

My Mom and Dad married on July 4, 1945. Mom came from Italian heritage, her father first came to the United States when he was 9 years old. My Grandfather called Pop "Blondie" because he was not Italian and had light colored hair and a light complexion. Pop was the first non-Italian to become part of my grandfathers family, and he was accepted and loved by my grandfather and all of his family.

Mom and Pop had the ideal marriage, one that will last forever and a day. They went through the good times and the bad, and raised 5 children, all boys. I am the youngest of the 5, and the other 4 have all influenced my life in ways that they will never know. All 5 of us are strong willed due to Mom's influence, and enjoy humor and laughter due to Pop's influence.

I don't think there is a person in this world that met Pop and didn't fall in love with him immediately. Pop was very active throughout his life. After he retired (the second time) he could be found golfing almost every day when the weather permitted, and bowling in a league beating his companions who were 20 and 30 years younger than he. I enjoyed golfing with him during the Summer, and I will truly miss those times. We watched the Denver Broncos play football every Sunday during the season, and if I could not make it to his home to watch, I called him during the game.

I am grieving, trying to understand what this all means, and it is very difficult for me to continue writing. This web page will continue to grow and will have an area for anyone who is reading to comment with their own thoughts. I plan to add photographs of Mom and Pop as I find the time. For now, there are a few images of Pop in his younger years while he was a B-29 pilot on the island of Tinian during World War II.