Saturday, October 5, 2013
Neil was my brother 13 months younger than me. Born during the depression, our mother made all of our clothing on a treadle sewing machine. She made our professional looking suits out of the remnants of discarded men's suits. She often dressed us alike, so we were almost like twins, and were as close as twins. We remained close throughout our lives.
I remember hours spent together as young boys on the Cass river behind our house looking for pearls in the river clams. I remember swimming with our friends in Goodin Creek on South Vassar road. On weekends, we fished the creek with our very good friend, Emerson (Leigh) Garlick. In the winter we skated down river to the creek and then up the creek. We enjoyed hunting small game together. The small game augmented our food supply. I have many too many fond memories to set them all down here.
I will miss the brother who gave everything he could for the well being of his children, Lori and Bradley and for their children and grandchildren.
I will miss the brother who neglected himself to care for our aging mother.
I will miss the brother who would do anything he could to help anyone.
I will miss the brother who loved (and was loved by) all little children, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I will miss the brother who acted the fool to entertain those same children.
I will miss the deep discussions which caused us to miss our turns and drive miles out of our way.
I will miss the brother who called nearly once a week to inquire about my ailing wife's health.
Neil's passing leaves a deep hole in my life. I loved him, and he loved me.
His brother, Clare
