This was the sentiment expressed by one of the nurses who took care of Dad in the hospital. He touched the hearts of many others who knew him as well, judging from the numerous phone conversations I have had over the last month from Father Larry in Florida who said that Dad lived and fulfilled the sermons that were preached to our many cousins and friends who have said that he was like a father to them.
If being a father means loving and caring for your children and always being there no matter what situation arose then, yes, he was like a father to numerous people over the years. The kids in the neighborhood always knew that they could come up to the house every evening after supper and he would play with them, whether turning rope (he and Mom were "steady-enders") or playing running bases. When he was not at work he was never too busy to spend time with us.
He took us to Palisades Park, Coney Island, Freedomland, Jones and Orchard Beaches and we set a record for the most visits to the New York World's Fair, going almost every weeknight that it was open. He was always so proud of us and would spend hours going over our Math homework because that was his favorite subject! A cousin remembers his "shout and scream" method of learning the times tables which she experienced while living with us for a time. She learned her Math, though!
Even strangers could depend upon my Dad. I remember a time in the Bronx when a young couple from South Carolina was stranded with their infant on the Cross Bronx Expressway. Dad got them a tow-truck and when he found out that it would take several days for their car to be fixed, he brought them home to my mother because they needed a place to stay. And his home was often the stopping place for kids that the nuns would send over because their parents were going through difficult times; and also a stopping place for Nana Nedell.
He never took on a task that he couldn’t see to completion. The priests and Knights in Florida are going to have a terrible time trying to find at least five people to fill his shoes.
And Dad was the consummate planner and organizer. There were only two ways to do everything: his way and the wrong way. But, we are very blessed that he left all of his affairs in such amazing order so that we could help Mom in the event that he pre-deceased her. This seemed totally unnecessary to me, since Dad was immortal. About 14 months ago he sent me a letter for Mom. I was to give her this letter if he were to die. What a beautiful love letter he left for her! Walter was truly a romantic and after 57 years still infatuated with Mom. This was the Dad that I will always remember. I have always joked that David is just like my Dad. Now I see what a truly wonderful gift that is!
By Dad's example he taught me how to be a respectful child. By his example he taught me how to be a good spouse. By his example he taught be how to be a good parent. By his example he taught me how to pray. By his example he taught me how to love life. And finally, by his example he taught me not to fear death.