I just want to say thank you to everyone that has sent cards or email, or left me a voicemail, expressing sympathy over my father. My family and I appreciate it very much.
While I was in North Carolina, we had a memorial service for Dad, held in Thalian Hall, Wilmington. Thalian Hall has a performing arts center on the bottom floor, and the 2nd floor is where the city council meets. Over 600 people crowded into the first floor to watch a slide show of pictures from Dad’s life, followed by 10 speakers that got up to share funny stories, and lessons they’re taking away from watching how Dad lived his life. You can watch the memorial, including the slideshow, here.
After the service, there was a reception upstairs in the city council meeting room, and after that, several people met in the bar area of a local restaurant to celebrate Dad. I met a lot of great people that day, heard some great stories, and came away a little overwhelmed with all the support. I think Dad would be surprised to know just how many people feel he touched their lives in some way. He didn’t do the great things he did to ensure a large and emotional memorial; He did it because that’s the kind of guy he was.
So long dad. Your friends and family, and nearly the entire town of Wilmington, it seems, will miss you. If you’re one of those people, and are interested in donating to one of dad’s charities, you can do that through this page.