Godspeed Uncle Jeff.

Today our family said goodbye to one we lost much too soon.  It still feels so surreal that someone so full of life, energy, and love can be gone.

He and his wife Joanne have shared 34 passionate and wonderful years together. They were blessed to find their soul mates at a young age and fell deeply in love.  Time has only fueled that love. They are a glowing example of what marriage should be. They had the kind of love that movies and fairytales are made of.

His daughters, Erin and Nicole were the light of his life...

and his first grandchild, Liam fulfilled a much anticipated dream of being a grandpa...

Unfortunately, less than a year ago, it was discovered he had an aggressive form of anaplastic thyroid cancer.  He fought courageously enduring surgeries, chemo, and radiation losing his ability to eat, speak, and swallow.  He has endured a year of tremendous hardship and suffering as the cancer relentlessly took over his body.  He fought so hard- his wife and family tirelessly by his side.

We are blessed to be part of a large, loud, and loving family.  As the oldest niece of a dozen kids on my dad's side of the family, there have always been lots of kids and activity.  Uncle Jeff has played a huge part in every one of our childhoods.  He has played with us, taught us, encouraged us, pushed us to do new things, taught us to laugh, loved us through all our ages and stages (good and bad), and stood by us through everything. Jeff just loves kids and they are drawn to him. His playful energy and humor are kid magnets. He was a kid at heart himself and never lost his love of simple joys, laughter, and fun...

...AND for pranks :) I can't remember a single family gathering that didn't involve some kind of practical joke.  His nephews, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law were some of his favorite targets.  In the end though, they always laughed right along with the rest of us.

Things were never dull with Jeff around.  He just exuded fun everywhere he went.  He had an amazing way of being in the middle of the action (or maybe we should say the catalyst behind it) and on the sidelines all at the same time.  We will always remember his commentary.  Whether you were in church, at a wedding, a picnic, a dinner, or just hanging out.  He always had just the right witty words to make you laugh. I could swear I heard his voice today as we sat in the pews honoring his life. Just a few short weeks ago he was jotting down observations and passing notes across the way. And we will all remember him standing in the background with his huge camcorder on his shoulder.  He was passionate about capturing memories for his family. Now they have volumes of footage to remember their years together.

Jeff never met a stranger.  He could talk to anyone and make them feel at ease in any situation.  He did not have a pretentious bone in his body.  Jeff saw people for who they were inside.  He was never one to judge a book by its cover or to judge for that matter. He had such a gift for making people comfortable, making them laugh, but also touching their heart. He was compassionate, wise, and unassuming.  He was a natural at mentoring and reaching out to others. The tributes could go on for days of all the lives he touched and molded.

I am so thankful my kids have had these years to spend with him.  They have loved him from the very beginning, especially Julia.  They have always had a soft spot in their hearts for each other.  As Jeff has battled cancer this year, he was always concerned with Julia's health struggles in her battle with anaplastic kidney cancer, too.  He used to say he had lived a long and full life and he just wanted to know that she would get that chance, too.  I only wish they could have spent more of them together and had time for more memories.  They miss him already and have prayed so much for him over the past year.

Jeff, our family will never be the same without you, but none of us will ever be the same because of you.  A piece of your spirit will live forever in each of us and your laughter will always resonate in our hearts.

We thank God for your life well-lived.  Through your example you have shown those around you what it means to be a father, husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend. Jeff, you showed us all how to live every day to its fullest, to love those around us without abandon, and to find the joy in every situation, and to cherish those we love.  You taught us how to live and this past year you have showed us how to die, too, with courage, grace, love, and faith.

We miss you more than we can say, but we rejoice in knowing you are now completely healed and free from pain.  And one day we will see you again.

Please pray for Joanne, Erin, Nicole and all those who love Jeff as they adjust to life without him.

Rest in peace, Uncle Jeff.  Godspeed.  I know heaven is a happier place and you will continue to surround us with your love and laughs.