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December 6, 2009, my Uncle Gene left this earth. He was 2 years younger than my Father, but you would swear these two were twins.

They came from a huge family down state Illinois. They lived in a tiny town on the outskirts of farmland. Both Gene and my Dad over the years of their youth had a variety of jobs. They did just about anything and everything. Both of them excelled in school, went to college and had been in the military. Gene had met a wonderful woman on a blind date named Fran. She was NOT the blind date but the other girls room mate. The room mate decided she didn't want to go so Fran decided she couldn't let that poor guy (Gene) be stood up...and it was love at first site. Gene was stationed in Germany for a while and had Fran come live with him for 2 years.

They all eventually moved from the country to the suburbs of Chicago. For years the two families blended. 4 girls with Fran and Gene and 5 kids from Evan and Wilma. The 9 of us kids were very close and still are. I always felt blessed to be a part of such a wonderful blend of families. Gene was part of the Comedy act of Evan and Gene. They didn't know it but I often though of them as being like the VanDyke brothers. No matter how grim a situation was, one of them made you crack up.

My Father and Gene had become educators. They ended up being Principals and Assistant Principal, Administrations and very successful men. The thing is, they both were great guys. My Dad is still such an awesome man. They were both very active in Church being Deacons and Elders. They also were..in which my memories start, part of our church classes. Dad and Gene taught the 5-6th graders. They took that class for years. Dad and Gene ended up being our Woman Church Basketball coaches. Now these two men for most of their lives had a passion for basketball. Thing is, neither one of them could reach the top shelf! My Dad is the shorty stretching in at a mean 5'3". I think Gene may have been at the most 5"6". Height aside, these two were unstopable on the court. They once scrimmaged us women, about 6 of us and those 2 old cronies beat the snot out of us on the court...lol it was like they knew where each other were all the time on the floor. I think that was what is was like in life as well.

The only major difference between these two men was Baseball. In sports there are rivals. Football there are the Cowboys vs anyone, NY Giants vs Philly Eagles, in Baseball you would think it was the Boston Red Sox and the NY Yankees...unless you live in Chicago. There are 2 types of fans, Cubs and the the wrong ones..White Sox. Dad is a major Cubbies fan and Gene was...well yes..one of them! A SOX fan! My younger sister told me a story of my fathers Birthday one year. She took my Dad and Gene to this Cubs game. It was an exhibition game. Sox vs Cubs. Of course the Sox beat the pants off the Cubs. The whole time Gene was razzing my Dad just rubbing it in..lol and my Sister was getting hot at him.

A story they shared with me was when Dad and Gene went Golfing for the first time in years. They got to the first hole, where of course several people were watching and went to Tee off. Dad "Stepped up to the plate". When he swung, he clean missed the ball. from there, my Uncle Gene took a shot at teeing off. Well, so the story I remember goes is, the club went flying out of his hand into the crowd. The two of them grabbed their gear and played Polo to the next hole. I can still see their faces when they tell that one.

They play once a week with the other retired principals. It really is their own Boys club.

One day when i was home visiting, Dad was borrowing a few chairs from Gene for a party they were having. I heard the doorbell ring and I opened it. Sitting there was my Uncle Gene sitting on a chair..just looking at me straight faced. It was actually one of the funniest things I ever saw was him just sitting there like that's where he was supposed to be. I yelled out "DAD! IT'S YOUR CRAZY BROTHER!"...Rolling my eyes...So Typical of them.

For a few years Fran and Gene had Josh living with them. He was one of my cousins kids. Josh was such and awesome person. He left us after having Hodgkin's. He was 20.

Fran left us last year. She was a great warm and loving woman. We all missed her so much. When i saw Gene for the first time since her passing was last December. He seemed a bit nervous and a little lost. Dad and Mom spent a lot of time with him and so did his 4 daughters. He was well taken care of. His Grandchildren came to visit and stay with him often for the 15 month stretch.

The day he left us he spent with one of his daughters and her family. They had a great time eating singing and having a pre Christmas celebration. When he got home he called Angela and let her know he got home alright. They told each other they loved each other. Shortly after that he passed away quickly.

I heard the news Monday morning. I flew out Thursday right before the wake. I have never seen that look in my Father's eyes before. He was hurt. He was sad and he was nervous. Mom was similar. The "Rock" of our families was shaken. The girls were devastated and so were my parents. My siblings were feeling the same way I was...deeply saddened and heartbroken..even more when they played a song Josh's band recorded "Time of your life" by Greenday. I have never seen them all cry like that. I do not think I have ever cried that much in my life. We were all so sad and heartbroken not just for the girls but for Mom and Dad. They lost their Best Friends. It was very hard to say goodbye but I am grateful I didn't have to do it from 1000 miles away.

We plan on all meeting at Mom and Dad's for a post Christmas party for the 11 of us. Our spouses and children will be there also.we need to be together.

We loved you Gene. Rest in Peace with Fran and Josh.

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