SHINE ON BRIGHTLY (DEDICATED TO A HERO, JOSEPH FENTON) 

To ease the pain on the caliginous of days, let us celebrate the superlative  

life of Joseph Fenton, and not be engulfed by the blood of a wounded heart. 

The great lessons in life aren’t learned from a faceless text book, they are  

shared from the mind and soul of an omniscient individual we call dad. 

Joseph Fenton could single handedly illuminate a room the size of a  

congregation.  His greatest joy in times of prosperity and pain was to put all  

others ahead.  It was never necessary for him to espouse the materialistic  

path most travel.   

While countless friends and fellow card players would brag continuously  

about the cost of their vacation or the options on the full length vehicle  

(With price tag yet removed), dad’s words were paved with gold.  The opportunity to speak about his two grandchildren Sheryl and Michelle and the honors they have achieved in academia were spoken with the passion of an attorney at trials close.  He didn’t concern himself with the memorization of the family’s financial portfolio, he knew he was a rich man because he had his daughter Lesley call four times a day.  Joseph Fenton’s wealth was all about the plethora of charities that he supported.   

Mom and dad had seen the world, they had the cars, and made more than a good living, but that ranked far behind their jubilance of having their children take an interest in every facet of their daily existence and not the once a year facade of Thanksgiving.  Dad would habitually mention that the same people that loved the fact they could wear a 2000.00 watch were two dense in the parenting department as to why their offspring are in a different time zone.  The legacy that dad solidified with a 53 year marriage to the woman of his dreams, the children that adored him, and the myriad of charities he supported, was actually elevated even minutes from his journey to heaven.The morning of March 10th, 2007 dad was shaved and Lesley stayed in the room while I had to start my car and order breakfast.  On my return Lesley went to pick up the food and I remained with dad.   Suddenly every breathe became less prevalent and the time was near.  Lesley came back to the room and two minutes later dad had passed.  He wanted to make sure that the wishes of his children were honored, to be with him until the final tick of the heart.Dad you and mom are finally reunited and you will continue to shine on brightly.  Please tell her that Lesley and I love her and she is missed more each day.  While I am asking for favors do you think during Tuesday poker and Mah Jong you could see about putting a word in for a good Yankee season and sell some of my books, heaven knows I can use the royalty check.While you won’t be next to me at our favorite restaurants, you will shine on brightly in my heart.Thank you for being the ultimate role model and the man I proudly call dad.If we all raise our heads we can see the sky a bit brighter already.  Dad you have already made an impression.I love you more than words could articulate.  All things achieved from this day forward are dedicated in memory to you and mom.

Thank you for reading and may your family be well,

Airplane Man