On Dad’s behalf we remember… Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “behold, I am making all things new.” Many life celebrations provide copious detail about what a person did for a living…sure, Dad did that, and didn’t retire until his latter seventies. Sure…his career included being a structural inspector for the city of NY, and building inspector for the cities of Ocala, St. Pete Beach, and Kenneth City. And sure in the early years he held up to 3 jobs to provide for his family. None of that was who he was… those things were what he did for a living. Sure he was proud of his work related accomplishments and deservingly so…but who was he…and how will we remember him? Yes…he and Mom had four children…Gary, Roy, Laura, and Dawn. And they had children of their own…Lara, Lea, Morgan, and Jared … and their spouses are Bill, Brandon, Rob, and Roanna. And each of them have two children…Emily and Matthew, Gabrielle and Aubrey, Keaton and Sidney, Aiden and Gavin. Again, yes…they are all in order…two each for Lara and Bill and so on. The tree only becomes complicated if you make it so. If confused, you are hereby encouraged to reach out to Aunt Kay…keeper of all things known and unknown! And with more than full hearts we acknowledge Linda, Roy’s loving spouse, and our dearest eldest brother, Gary. Both of whom are in God’s loving care, and most certainly were assigned to Dad’s welcome committee. Thanks to Theresa, Gary’s wife, for loving him beyond measure and continuing to be a cherished Kinkead member. We welcome kind and considerate Sandy who complements both Roy and our colorful mosaic. We appreciate sometimes quiet, pensive, and good humored Bob, Laura’s husband. We salute Joshua…friend, confidant, fixer of all things Tom, and, most cherished always present Dad cheerleader. Dad often said…I love him like he is my own son. Joshua...always there…always… and in all ways, and Dawn’s steadfast inspiration. And finally…Anna and John Kinkead, parents to Dad and his siblings … Jack, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Dorothy, Robert, Gerald, Richard. Grandma “Mutter” as she was known, and Pop were forces of nature, she from Austria and he from Missouri. She prayed the rosary, baked and cooked, and kept house in their South Bronx tenement during the 1920’s and beyond; Pop toiled the long days away working on the railroad. That is what they did then…they worked, and worked, and worked again. They laughed and cried, and mourned, and did without. And they sang…oh, how they sang. They sang Irish songs mostly…and some from WWl and WWll. Songs with lyrics like… I had a hat when I came in…I hung it on the rack…I’ll have a hat when I go out or I’ll break somebody’s back…I’m a decent man I am I am, and I don’t want to shout…but I had a hat when I came in and I’ll have a hat when I go out! Classics all! Dad had nicknames for his siblings…Gock, Elijah, Mickey, Mike, Butch, Curley, Itch…the Rev. It is important to know this…no one knows how or why the names came about…they just did…THAT was Dad. Kay and Richie remain with us; all the others have passed yet remain. Dad loved you, Aunt Kay…and was always so happy to speak with you, and he loved you for loving Mom. He enjoyed singing with you on the phone, and often said call Aunt Kay if he wanted help in remembering names, or places, or dates of past…he acknowledged that you are indeed the keeper of the known, unknown, and too soon forgotten…you are the keeper of cherished memories. And Uncle Richie…he loved you for your heart, your prayers, and your stories. He would thank you himself, but…he’s busy getting settled in and rekindling…so…thank you both…with love from Dad. Loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather… with imagination beyond things that dreams are made of he circled the globe and beyond daily by magic carpet, dromedary, and gossamer winged butterflies. A dreamer and firmly footed patriarch, as firm as Mom was as the ever supportive and gracious matriarch he, like she, knew God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, Mary, Moses, and Thomas…and he knew without question that he was, is, and always will be loved. And every day he prayed. He prayed for his country like the Navy man he was. He prayed for his family, his life, his Rays and Bucs. He prayed for better documentaries on TV. He prayed for a more compassionate world. He prayed for forgiveness, for peace, for rest. And daily he thanked God…and Mother Mary, and Jesus his Lord and Redeemer. In recent years he preferred dwelling in the present while forwardly gazing. That is where he is now. He is with the many who loved him and he loved in return…with his beloved Renie, his son, family, and friends. He is reunited with Aunt Florrie, Uncle Wally, Aunt Clara and his most beloved brother Curley and sweet Annie…his wife. And that is how it should be. He is healed! And he is loving Mommy Doll still, and who through tears he proclaimed…I have loved you all my life, and I’ll be with you soon. We all love you, Daddy…come to greet us with Mommy, and Gary, when our work here is done. Bring the scotch…or at least the club soda!