On June 3rd, my stepfather, Jim Daly very unexpectedly passed away. Jim was the best stepfather and Grampie any family could ask for. I gave the eulogy at church and many people have asked for a copy of it. They have said that they would like to re-read it and thought that I should have a copy for myself. I frequently have computer problems and thought that this would be a safe place for it just in case all of my files go caput! Here it is.
On behalf if my mother and Jim's family, we want to thank you for coming to celebrate Jim's life.
Jimmy, James, Jim, Uncle Jim, and Jimbo were some of the names that he went by, but the name he was most proud of was Grampie.
People have said some wonderful things about Jim these past few days. Here are some things that I have heard:
- he could talk to anybody (and he did)
-he was always smiling
-he was so much fun
-he was the nicest guy
-that man sure could play bags
-he never talked mean about a person, he simply spoke the truth
-Jim was a fine man, he will be missed
You know, Jim was the type of guy that
-Jim was the type if guy who was always willing to help. Not only because he wanted to help, but because he also wanted to supervise the project.
-he'd give you the shirt off of his back, and he'd always be there with a couple of McDonald's cheeseburgers or a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee.
-if you ever needed a pile of wood moved or burned, Jim was your guy.
-if you ever needed a four ton bed moved, give Jim a call and he'd be there to help.
-Jim was a great story teller. He could tell and retell and retell a story with such detail. If you've ever heard the words Army, Ft. Riley, the Board of Education, Mr. Mulvihill, Jack Griffin, Jimmy and Bobby Boyce, Wisconsin fishing, a gas powered bike, and Corny Morgan...you know what I'm talking about.
Gene, Joan, Pat, and Maureen, he always spoke highly of you, and he truly loved you.
Jim was never married before my mom and it just goes to show you how much he loved her. He not only married her, but he also inherited my brother and I. Any man that willing opens his bachelor pad to not only a woman but also to her two teenagers must have surely been crazy or crazy in love. I think he was crazy in love.
Jim and I didn't have a close relationship back in those days. He kind of just co-existed. When we passed each other in the house, we'd say hello but that was really it. I was so impressed with Jim when my own father passed away 12 years ago. He was at the wake with us the whole time, went to the funeral and was our rock. I think it was then when I realized how much he loved my brother and I. Our whole relationship changes when Lauren was born. Lauren was the light of his eye. He'd pick her up from daycare, take her out to lunch, and bring her to the park. Lauren, remember when he took you to the golf course for lunch and he was reading the paper when suddenly the fire alarm went off? Remember what his face looked like when he realized that it was YOU that pulled that alarm? He continued to take you out to lunch but you guys never went back to that golf course....hmmmm!
When Dan and I got married I asked Jim to walk me down the aisle. He had the biggest smile on his face, hugged me, and said "absolutely". Thank God for Jim, that is what I've always said.
The love that he had for his grandchildren was amazing. He was born to be a grandfather. The kids had great names for him. Before he was officially "Grampie", he was "Crappy", "Burpee" and "Pee Pee". Can you imagine waiting your whole life to become a grandfather and when you do, you are being called Crappy, Burpee, and PeePee? He didn't care. Jim had his grandchildren and that is all he cared about. Lauren, you were his first grandchild and he loved you with every ounce of his soul. Tommy, he loved spending your Communion Day with you and he loved to watch you play baseball. Jack, Alli, and Brooke, he loved to hand out dollars to you guys, and to watch you run around the lake. And he absolutely loved to drive you five around on the boat.
Scott, you always had a way of calming Jim down or bringing him up. Isn't it amazing what a couple of bottles of Miller Lite can do? You and Jim had a very special bond and relationship. I don't think that mom could have picked a better stepfather for us.
Kate, I will so much you and Jim dancing a reel or a jig. You two certainly could move around a dance floor. Cherish those memories, those are memories that none of us could duplicate.
Dan, Jim loved to talk to you about the military and World War II movies over gallons and gallons of coffee. He loved you more than a son-in-law, he loved you like a son.
Jim had some great friends. Pete and Ron were his best pals. Pete, he loved to help you hang drywall, move furniture, and help you out in the yard. Ron, there is something to be said for your friendship. Not many people have a best friend that differs in age of about 30 years. He could always count on you to start and finish a project with him.
Loretta Dreznes said it best when she wrote to my mom this week and said ... Jim Daly one half of the best examples of a happy marriage. Mom, Jim loved you so much. He'd make sure you were covered at night, made sure your car was running correctly, and always made sure that there was fresh tonic in the house. The trips up to Timmy's cabin, down to Florida, out to Uncle Darrell's dirt, out to San Diego, over to Flint Lake, those are the memories you have to hold on to. You loved to dance with Jim, and someday you two will dance again. Just make sure that it isn't to soon.
We all have different memories of Jim. He was a great guys and he is now looking down on all of us. I came across a short poem that I think embodies Jim's friendship and love for life. Please listen to this carefully because we can all benefit from these three lines:
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Just walk beside me, and be my friend.
God bless you Jim. I love you and you will surely be missed.
