JC 72
11-09-2009, 11:05 PM
Lost my Father in law on Tuesday. He had a great life and was an amazing person. Lived to be 91years old. He would have been 92 on Veteran's Day. He passed at home surrounded by all his six children and most of his grandkids. A native of Massachusetts from Fall River. He was driving at age 12. Wrenched on cars all his life. Worked in the Civilian Conservation Corp. 1183 Co. Charlemont Mass. Joined the Coast Guard and proudly served in the " Greenland Patrol" aboard the USS Nanock a 120' wooden fishing boat as Machinist Mate 1st class under Capt. Magnus Magnusson. He was known as " Balboa" aboard ship. Servived the terrible storm at sea that took their sistership with all hands. They chipped ice for three days and nights, with two fire axes, a clever from the galley, wrenches and hammers from the engine room. Johnny got the Fairbanks Morris diesel restarted after they took green water right down the funnel during the storm. He told me that he knew he had to get her running, or they were all done for.
John was always there for us. Across the street, but never in our way. A Third degree Knight of Columbus. Founding member of the American Federation of Government Employees at the Oakland Naval Supply Center, local 1533.
If I was working on some project, He would be on my doorstep in his "work clothes" before I was even up, ready to go. Just last year he was on his roof painting the roof jacks. He was always the first guy on the street to put up his Christmas lights. Last year October he went for a ride in Merryrows when we launched her. His gold tooth shining. He got to go back to MA this September and see his surviving brother and family. He was married 64 years to Mary. Brought her out to California for the honeymoon and never left. Funeral was today. We had the Coast Guard Honour Guard. Fair well Dad. We will miss you. Semper Paratus.
John was always there for us. Across the street, but never in our way. A Third degree Knight of Columbus. Founding member of the American Federation of Government Employees at the Oakland Naval Supply Center, local 1533.
If I was working on some project, He would be on my doorstep in his "work clothes" before I was even up, ready to go. Just last year he was on his roof painting the roof jacks. He was always the first guy on the street to put up his Christmas lights. Last year October he went for a ride in Merryrows when we launched her. His gold tooth shining. He got to go back to MA this September and see his surviving brother and family. He was married 64 years to Mary. Brought her out to California for the honeymoon and never left. Funeral was today. We had the Coast Guard Honour Guard. Fair well Dad. We will miss you. Semper Paratus.