My Grandfather, Raymond Moraczewski (pronounced Mor-ches-key), passed away yesterday. He was a brave and honorable man, from whom I learned much. When I say goodbye to him for the last time on Monday, I'm going to promise him and myself that I'll live up to his legacy, and never forget what he taught me and my brothers by instruction and example.
His life spanned this century from nearly the beginning to nearly the end. He was a man's man - the eldest of seven brothers, he never knew any other way. At six foot six and two hundred and some pounds, he was big, tough and strong - mentally and physically. He was shrewd, and grew wise.
In the teens he was a child. In the twenties, a farmer. In the thirties, a rumrunner and husband. In the forties, a father, soldier, and arms importer. In the fifties, a railroad worker. In the sixties, a chemical worker. In the seventies, a grandfather. In the eighties, a widower. In the nineties, a great-grandfather.
He'll always be a hero. He, along with my father, taught me what it means to be a man.
Everyone please hoist a drink in his name this weekend, as my brothers, parents, and friends will do to celebrate this great man's life.
His life spanned this century from nearly the beginning to nearly the end. He was a man's man - the eldest of seven brothers, he never knew any other way. At six foot six and two hundred and some pounds, he was big, tough and strong - mentally and physically. He was shrewd, and grew wise.
In the teens he was a child. In the twenties, a farmer. In the thirties, a rumrunner and husband. In the forties, a father, soldier, and arms importer. In the fifties, a railroad worker. In the sixties, a chemical worker. In the seventies, a grandfather. In the eighties, a widower. In the nineties, a great-grandfather.
He'll always be a hero. He, along with my father, taught me what it means to be a man.
Everyone please hoist a drink in his name this weekend, as my brothers, parents, and friends will do to celebrate this great man's life.