My Dad, Ted Mrochinski, died of the complications of cancer and cancer treatment, decades ago. His cancer was liver cancer (metastasized, of course) probably brought on by his years of smoking, working with fine metal shavings as a drill press operator for Cutler-Hammer, and a premature retirement that gave him way too much wastable time on his hands. My Dad was an extremely hard-working man -- somewhat taciturn unless he was speaking loudly in our bar (Ted and Della's Tap) especially about something he had strong feelings about. He was also not a perfect man -- prone to a bit of excess on many fronts. He was a pretty good Father -- honest, helpful when he could be, and concerned with the success of his kids. He rarely raised his hand in anger -- especially towards those of us at the end of the family, last of the brood so to speak.
Ted Sr. was gregarious with his friends, simple and mostly calm towards his family, and a loving and kind man. As a child and as a young man I respected his many gifts as a carpenter, machinist, gardener, and you-name-it. I marvelled at one person possessing so many skills -- where did they all come from? His roses were phenomenal every year -- as mine would be three decades later. I truly loved him in the
most masculine of ways: respect, emulation, compassion, understanding. He was an easy mentor for me, even though our interests and approaches to things were mostly different. I miss him to this day. Happy Father's Day -- Ted Mrochinski; and "thank you" for my gift of life and all that has ensued.
No comments:
Post a Comment