Jerry posted a condolence
Thursday, July 26, 2018
First, I have to say, I struggled with calling Bud, Bud. I know that sounds funny. But, I almost felt I was being disrespectful to a man that deserved the utmost respect from a man that dated his daughter. Both of his daughters are a good example of the type of man he was. He came from an era that worked hard, settled for little and didn't complain about either. There are two things that come to mind when I think of Bud. First, was his patience to choose the right words to deliver the message he wanted to give. He was very articulate and slow to say something he would regret. We can learn a lot from that. The second is more of a favorite memory. He came to my house in Cranberry Twp. Pa a couple of years ago. My mother, who suffered a few strokes, left her debilitated and unable to walk very well. She was struggling to get to her seat and he got up, like any gentleman would to help her. But, he was almost 90 years old at the time and she was 88. He was genuinely concerned about her safety and he made sure that she was not going to fall, even though he wasn't completely stable himself. To watch it from my patio door was heart-wrenching. That little gesture was a huge comfort to my mother. We forget that sometimes it's the small things that change the world. I'm sure Bud had a lot of large accomplishments in his life that helped change people. But, I'd be willing to bet all of those little things he did along the way affected and changed more people than you could ever count. I shed my own tears when I got the news of his illness and more when he passed. People like him are rare. But, he left a family behind that will carry his legacy. That is the biggest accomplishment a father can have. I will miss you, "Bud". I can call you that now because you changed my life as well. I am one of those little things you did to make me evaluate my life.
