brothers

Papa’s World – my brother Mike – known in the family nicknamed by Bill as JUICE – gone – but not forgotten – we grew up together.

/ Tom / Leave a comment
Mike – shoveling snow for my mother.

He had red curly hair – a smile a mile wide and a laugh and giggle that you knew right away who it was.

He was my younger brother – we were like a second family for my parents –

Donna and Roger were 15 and 10 years older.

We had a sister who died at birth in between the two sets of kids.

We fought like cats and dogs do – but we also were close.

He instigated a lot of it and would scream bloody murder as loud as he could when I had enough.

I was the one who into trouble but mom always knew as she later told me.

He was just o darn likable with that hair and giggle.

MOM ( Mary) Sue ( Susan) his wife and Mike ( we look alike here I think.)

We played all the time together – cowboys and Indian’s – running the neighborhood –

He was always hurting himself – one time he climbed up on top of a attached shed at a neighbors house.

He was going to ambush me but I saw him and pretended to shoot him.

I saw what he was going to do and I yelled STOP – but he did it anyway –

always acting real life he sort of collapsed and rolled off the shed to the ground as if dead.

But there was a stone bird bath under the shed roof and when he came down he hit his elbow on it!

Off to the doctors office we went and then in the ambulance to the hospital to have surgery on the elbow!

He had to have a pin put in and that elbow was off to the side -making his arm seem crooked.

Mom ( Mary) talking to Mike’s daughter Jennifer at the kitchen table.

A few years later – we were on the front porch – and he had climbed up onto the porch railing – I told him he had better get down before he fell.

Well – as always – he gave me that silly laugh and giggle – and I could not help but smile until he did fall.

At the end of the porch beneath that railing – a 2 x 10 stuck out – he came down and hit that board with his other elbow and we repeated the same thing all over again with another surgery – now he had two elbows exactly the same!

But -it seemed like it was a perfect solution for him as it perfected his golf swing and he had a lot of power and strength in those arms – one time I was with him – and this was way before anyone was hitting the ball 300 yards.

We were playing the old number one hole at Smethport – he was a Freshman – me just beginning my senior year –

He hit that ball and because of how his elbows were now shaped – he hit it straight with power. That hole was a gradual uphill some 305 yards!

His ball ended up past the hole and into the yard behind it! Some 50 or 60 yards past! Uphill!

If I had not been there to see it – I would not believe it!

Gene Fazio – who was a card member of the PGA and a premier golfer in the Pa. and NYS area –

told me – “IF I HAD MY SHORT GAME AND MIKE’S DRIVING – I WOULD GO ON THE PGA TOUR”!

Mike was a scratch golfer even with those elbows.

Mike later with a red beard and that red curly hair!

Mike ended up bigger than me – he was as tall as my father who was a little over six foot tall.

The brother’s – Roger – Mike and I got our curly hair from my dad – my grandfather was bald.

Mike ended up around 215 pounds and played football – but he could kick that ball just like he hit golf balls.

Far and straight – he became a field goal kicker way before that was common in H.S.

His kick offs were always through the end zone and he went on to college at Mansfield University of Pa.

Where he became the kicker for the college football team.

He graduated in Criminal Justice.

My step dad John – Sue and Mike.

As I said before he was always doing something and getting hurt!

He was riding my bike one day and I told him to get off as he was not big enough to ride it!

His legs could barley touch the pedals – sure enough his foot slipped and he came down on the cross bar –

off to the hospital we went again – operation for a rupture!

My brother in law Bill nick named him JUICE!

I really do not know why other than he was like electric – energy running through him – always a live wire!

Then one day Bill and I were sitting on the front porch –

and he said “HERE COMES JUICE”!

And then Bill said “JESUS CHRIST”!

And Bill hollered at him – “JUICE- PUT THE ROPE DOWN”!

But too late!

Mike was walking up the street twirling a dog rope with a clasp on the end of it over his head like a cowboy!

He got it too low just after Bill yelled to put it down and it started to wind around his head lower and lower.

It came around and smacked him right on the mouth –

“KNOCKING OUT HIS FRONT TOOTH”!

Off to the dentist office we went – oral surgery to extract what remained in his mouth of that tooth.

THAT IN A NUTSHELL WAS MY BROTHER MIKE!

Red hair – bearded – always smiling and that silly laugh – giggle.

I MISS HIM as he passed away when I was 35.

Sue Mike Jenifer

My brother MIKE – loved – close as brothers are – gone way too young – but never forgotten.

R.I.P. “JUICE”

SHERRY – CERTIFIED HEATH COACH – http://www.sf.juiceplus.com

PAPA’S WORLD: WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

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Papa’s World – Memories from the past part NINE!

/ Tom / Leave a comment
THE VILLAGES – FLORIDA

Many a day and night spent here in Lake Sumpter – dancing – listening to the live bands.

My brother’s house was within walking distance of the town square.

We would visit him for 6 to 8 weeks after the new year.

Every morning we would get up and walk our three miles early.

MEMORIES of my brother and The Villages.

My brother Roger and some of his friends.

Growing up – he is ten years older – I envisioned him as my hero.

He left for college and never moved back – instead lived in numerous places across the country.

The last ten years of his life were spent in The Villages – at first with his wife – who passed away.

The last six years of his life – we would spend 6 to 8 weeks with him.

He wanted us to move down and be with him.

But – we had too many small growing grandchildren.

MEMORIES of my brother and The Villages.

Roger and Sherry

Sherry loved my brother and he – her – so many things we did together – golfing – happy hours.

We would explore areas outside of the villages –

He owned two golf carts and we would go on all the cart trails.

He knew everyone from memory and short cuts.

We had a app on her phone that gave directions on the miles and miles of cart paths.

MEMORIES of my brother and The Villages.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD

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MY CONTACT: fitztdf@aol.com

MEMORIES OF MY BROTHER ROGER AND IN FLORIDA: THE VILLAGES

In loving memory – my brother Roger – someday we three will meet again.

Papas World – a special kind of friend – my hero.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

When you are growing up – at least in my case – you look up to someone.

That person to me was my older brother – by ten years.

My sister was 15 years older – and I really do not remember –

much of her being home – although she took care of me

those first three years of my life along with my grandma

as both my parents were working.

I was sort of the second coming of the family –

and then almost four years later – my younger brother Mike.

But the thing I remember is my older brother Roger.

He was “COOL” as they said back then –

and quite the ladies man – his nickname I later found out –

across the upper portion of his H.S. varsity jacket –

was ” Anyface” !

I was told many a story about him from his friends

and I would hang out on the fringes – when they were all around.

He had a club in our basement – in the backroom –

and he had drawn pictures of Disney cartoons on the wall

and painted them – Chip and Dale – Mickey Mouse – Donald Duck.

And they were really lifelike.

I do not know why and I think they are still there.

He would put boxing gloves on me –

and I would wail away at him or his friends

they – the gloves – were bigger than me

back then I was skinny – so much so –

my Mom would not let me take my shirt off

as she said people would think she was starving me!

Somewhere – he is looking down – that smile on his face-

When he went away to college – I moved into his front of the house room.

This was Rogers room I would think – and I was excited

for he was MY HERO!

I would ask Mom – did you get a letter? Is he going to call?

Will he be coming home?

I could not wait to see him.

And that continued even after I grew up and moved on.

I would always ask those questions of her.

When he did come back home – it was a occasion.

A celebration – dinners – laughing and story telling.

And then – the last twelve years of his life –

once again we became close – very close.

We talked at least once a week and we would go and see him.

Once he came here – and a couple times back home in Eldred Pa.

When my mom and sister were still alive.

He was my Hero in early life and continued to the day he passed.

Roger
age 75
my friend and hero

I regret that we could not spend more time together

he wanted us to move to Florida and live with him.

But – life gets in the way.

I feel good because the last four years of his life

we spent 9 weeks each Winter with him

In The Villages – Florida – doing some golf -sipping some brews –

laughing and remembering –

those were the best of times I shall always cherish

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

My brother was my hero growing up

and to the day he was gone – still was

and today I think of him often

Hero’s are rare – once in a lifetime

I was fortunate to have had him.

Thank you Roger for all the good times.

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – my life – memories – for my family.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

All my life I have chosen to listen – to observe –

and take it all in – trying to see all sides.

My sister was a master at this!

My older brother often would listen

then in a very thoughtful way – comment.

I have tried to emulate both.

My mother Mary

Small in stature she was – but ruled with a iron will!

She was almost 98 years old when she passed away.

She had outlived her husband and second husband –

One of my brothers and my sister and brother in law

whom both lived right next door and took care of her.

She was a excellent cook as was my dad.

She was known for her baking bread – rolls and pies

all over town.

Often sending them to the doctor or other people in town.

My father every Friday night – we were Catholic –

No meat – would fry at the table on a electric grill –

Salmon patties – pan cakes and his favorite –

oyster soup! ( NOT MINE)

My father was a hunter – fisherman – sportsman.

He also graduated from High School in his Sophomore year

But My grandfather – who taught school for over 50 years

made him take his junior and senior years over again.

Saying he was too young to continue on!

They instilled in me what you read here.

I was like a second family to come along.

My sister was 15 years older and my brother 10 years old

when I was born.

Then along came my younger brother some 4 1/2 years later.

My dad passed at age 59.

But what I remember was that she was quiet – smiling –

but he always listened to her

and I most certainly did also.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Growing up Eldred Pa. Part two !

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Those huge telephone poles –

with lights on top for night baseball games –

I never saw them lit up-

Games were played in late afternoon and early evening –

It was magical – Cars would line the first base line –

all the way down and then form a semi circle beneath the trees

in the outfield !

The men would stand and lean against the the chain mail fence

also running down the roadway –

They were the regulars –

This was growing up ELDRED PA.

GOOD MORNING
PART TWO

The park – where my life circled around –

To the creek – wading in the water –

The swings and teeter totter –

The thing that went around and around – whatever you called it !

The Volleyball court –

and of course the ball diamond –

where they would continue to DRAG it year after year !

A old bed of box springs –

attached by a chain to someones truck –

around and around they would go –

circling the dirt infield –

where I swear ROCKS and PEBBLES grew !

I watched a lot of ball games there –

When I was around 5 to 7 –

My father was the Manager of what was called THE TOWN TEAM !

And – they were good – traveling to other area towns and playing –

Our main pitcher was Freddie – he actually played and pitched –

in the Little League World Series for the team that advanced !

My bother Roger in the back ground.

Everyone has a Hero growing up –

Mine was my brother Roger –

seen here in the background with his friend Paul !

This would of been ’55 to ’57 –

He was ten years older than me –

I tagged him everywhere he went –

Then – he was gone – to college

He or they had a club in our basement –

I would sneak down and sit silently

watching – listening – until they found me

Roger – gone but always remembered

Later in life – he never came back – he moved on and away –

but I would always ask Mom – ” Have you heard from Roger “?

She would tell me of their conversation

or show me a letter –

The last ten or so years of his life –

we once again became close –

I cherish both those early times and the end of times.

He was my hero
The Villages
Sumter Square

There was the time I got a Davy Crockett coon skin hat –

complete with the tail and wore to school !

The Old Eldred school
where my brother graduated from
and I went till the fourth grade

There was a bridge on South Main street –

a cement bridge with opening so you could see below

That day I placed my hat on top of the cement railing

and slid my head through the opening so I could see the water below

Now going through was a little tight but doable

Then my EARS popped out –

and I was stuck !

My arms weren’t long enough to reach through and hold my ears back!

They had to call the fire department !

I’ve reached that age
big ears and all

Well –

that made him embarrassed

Everyone thought it funny

and later – we would laugh and laugh about it !

GROWING UP – ELDRED PA.

Sherry – Certified Health Coach

For HEALTH & NUTRITION

http://www.sf.juiceplus.com

email ssherrylynn49@aol.com

Part Three – next blog – GROWING UP – ELDRED PA.

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PAPA’S WORLD

where friends and family meet