I got a call in the middle of the night that there had been a fire at my Uncle Joe and Aunt Clara's retirement community in Silver Spring, Md. There are more than 8,000 residents at Leisure World and the fire killed just one. It was my Uncle Joe. My brothers and I are in complete shock.
My brother in DC just heard on a local radio rreport that they said the fire was caused by a woman who put a plastic coffee pot on "the wrong burner."
Uncle Joe was the only surviving member of my dad's immediate family, which included 10 siblings. He and Aunt Clara, who was in the hospital at the time of the fire, had only moved to this retirement community about eight weeks ago. Their children, who live in the DC area, felt they would be safer at Leisure World by being closer to them than in their home far away in Pennsylvania.
Joe and my dad used to tease each other about who was going live the longest. When Aunt Margaret died in 1997, they became the only siblings still alive. Although I know Joe was devastated when Dad died in October, he still did a fair share of bragging about "outliving them all," which at 80 he certainly earned. That he would endure so many health problems and end up being taken by something so random is really unsettling.
I don't know what I think about there being an afterlife, but I do hope they're together boxing somewhere now.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
My Uncle Joe
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I'm sorry too. I just can't believe this:
put a plastic coffee pot on "the wrong burner."
There's a right one?
What a horrible tragedy. I am so sorry.
Our condolences as well to you and your family Kenneth... you'll be in our thoughts.
I'm sorry for your loss, Kenneth. Your uncle and father will be in my thoughts; my best wishes for their journey together to happiness.
Hey Kenny-- I'm so sorry about your uncle. I didn't read this until just now. What a tragedy. Talk to you soon, Mark
Kenny-- Very nice words about uncle Joe. Dawn and I too, were shocked when I got the call from my mom on Saturday. Joe always reminded me of my Pop in a way... a certain spunk and sense of humor. I guess all the Walsh's actually had it, but with Joe and Pop there was also a resemblance (in my eyes, anyway). Still thinking of your family and your dad too. Cousin John G
I have no doubt there'll be some serious boxing matches in the Irish section of heaven this week.
Puddin', it's too much all at once. I'm so sorry. Thinking of you. -lz
Post a Comment