My grandfather passed away last week.  We was a vibrant 88 year old man who was completely engaged in life.  He still worked as a tool and die maker, did the daily crossword puzzle, helped neighbors, laughed and made others laugh and inspired so many people with his attitude about life and his big, open heart.  He will certainly be missed by all of the folks he touched

My uncle said that my grandfather was lucky to live such a rich life and died exactly how he wanted: he lost consciousness on his couch after socializing with neighbors outside and having some good natured arguing about who was going tidy up the end of the driveways after the plow came through.  My grandfather won with his quip: but, I’ll have fun doing it and so he was “allowed” to take a few swipes with his snow blower at the last bits of snow blocking the neighbor’s driveway.  This is not what killed him.  They suspect it was the cold, narrowing his arteries that brought on the heart attack.  And it’s true he is lucky.  He wanted to live a life with purpose and he did.  He wanted to die quickly, quietly and without a slow suffering decline and he did and for that we are all glad.

But.

We are going to miss him so much.