Goodbye, My Dear John

John Kathy

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things we can go through, so much more if it is a husband or parent. No words can express what our family is feeling right now but we’ve rallied together and with the support of friends and family, we’ll continue what John started.

Some of you may not know that John was not the natural father of the three daughters here today.  Robin and I are his step-daughters, yet John was never a step-father to either of us.  Pam has been part of our family for many years.  When her parents passed, John and Shirley became Mom and Dad.  Father is the only way to describe how he impacted our lives.  Three sisters, one father who wove us all together as a family.

John Sky

John and Shirley were very much in love for every one of the 33 years of their marriage.  Through his example, John showed me what a good husband is and I’m forever grateful for that.  He cherished my mother and loved her for who she is.  One thing that stands out in my mind is that he loved anything she cooked for him.  I don’t think I ever shared a meal with them that he didn’t praise her cooking.

John was kind, hard working, a good friend, and a dedicated family man.  He seemed to have a solution to every problem and had his way of making things simple.  Anyone who listened to his jokes, heard one of his silly songs or glimpsed his goofy grin knew that his sense of humor ran deep.  His beliefs and values were of a time when family was the first priority of his community.  Old fashioned?  Yes.  I didn’t always agree with him, but I should probably reconsider my positions since things turned out so well for him.  John was a great man who had a great life.

He showed strength until the end and still had some special words for us. We should all be thankful that we were given the chance to have known this man named John Alcalde. At this moment when we are about to lay his body to rest, let’s all think back and remember how John touched our lives. How he made us laugh and how good he was as a person.  We know that we will see you again, that Mom will feel your warm embrace again and that our family will unite together in heaven. In the meantime, please guide us as we live our life here on earth.  John, you will always be remembered and you will always live in our hearts for as long as we live. We love you so much.

Poem of Life

Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay...
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey's quicker,
For some the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the lord.

Author unknown