Just a little bit about Greg

ritawaite13
ritawaite13 Member Posts: 236
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Thank you all so much for your kind words. You have all been so kind and supportive I'd just like to share a few things about him with you. My husband was a wonderful, giving man. He was a Viet Nam Veteran and a father to our two children. We live in Minnesota and for the past three years, since I retired, we've spent our winters in Mesa AZ.
For most of his life he worked in the sheet metal industry. After his retirement, he spent his time volunteering. He was a patient escort at the VA Hospital, he was Santa Claus at kids Christmas parties, and he was especially involved in helping others. He was an avid outdoorsman. His love of the outdoors and his passion for helping others brought him to a group called Capable Partners. The mission of this group is to help handicapped people to go hunting, fishing and 4 wheeling. He was also a board member of UFFDA (United Federation for Disabled Archers).
He was the kind of guy who would pay for the meal of someone who was sitting alone in a restaurant. He never encountered a military person without saying "thank you" and usually, paying their tab at a restaurant too. He was generous almost to a fault but he was so loved by so many. When he was first diagnosed with EC we started a CaringBridge site for him. This was in July 2011 and to date we have over 17,000 visits to that site with so many loving tributes. His journey with EC was short lived but he gave it his all. He was definately not done living yet. He wanted more time with his family and with me. We had planned a trip to Hawaii in February that he was so looking forward to. He was so proud of his children and our two grandsons.
Greg was a giver and in honor of that trait, we have donated his body to the University of Minnesota for medical research. People will benefit from this final gift from him for many years to come. Again, thank you all so much for your love and support.
Rita

Comments

  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #2
    Touching comments on a great life
    Rita,

    I'm proud that I have had an opportunity to get to know Greg through your posts. You shared 42 years with a wonderful, giving, caring, sharing man! Glad you had those years. Very Glad!

    Terry

    btw, I figured he was a Santa. Good for him!
  • chemosmoker
    chemosmoker Member Posts: 501
    #3
    We love you Rita
    Rita,
    Greg was a loved and respected human being with a heart the size of the state you retired to. I know that he will be missed and remember for who he was and how many loves he must have touched. He touched mine, as did you, in just the short time I was privileged to know the two of you here.

    Thank you for sharing some of these beautiful highlights about Greg with us all here.
    He was obviously selfless to a fault as you said, from serving his country in a war that many were so ungrateful to our servicemen for having served.

    I wish you peace and calm and the presence of both God and Greg as the next few difficult weeks begin to go by for you and you find yourself in the grieving process.

    Please, know that we are ALL here for you and welcome anything you wish to post about Greg, ho you are feeling, and anything you may need from any of us. We are listening. We are here.

    May God bless you and hold you close. I will.

    With all the love possible over the Internet.

    -Eric
  • annalan
    annalan Member Posts: 138
    #4
    What a joy to read about
    What a joy to read about Greg. He was obviously a wonderful, caring person and loved by many. Even in death still wanting to continue to help people by donating his body. What a man, and what a wonderful woman you must be too. My sincere thoughts are with you and your family. God bless.
    Ann (2)
  • jojoshort
    jojoshort Member Posts: 230 Member
    #5
    Dear Rita
    What a beautiful life your Greg has lived. What an amazing man that you shared your life with. How sad that this life had to be cut short by EC. During these times of grief, I hope you can settle your mind on all the joys you shared over your time together and allow that to comfort you.
    Peace to you and your family,
    Jo-Ann
  • sangora
    sangora Member Posts: 213
    #6
    jojoshort said:

    Dear Rita
    What a beautiful life your Greg has lived. What an amazing man that you shared your life with. How sad that this life had to be cut short by EC. During these times of grief, I hope you can settle your mind on all the joys you shared over your time together and allow that to comfort you.
    Peace to you and your family,
    Jo-Ann

    Rita
    It sounds like Greg is someone that will be truely missed in this world by many. As my grandmother used to say we reap what we sow and I would say that Greg is leaving a legacey not soon forgotten. Take care of yourself and know that we all feel your loss. Sam
  • Ginny_B
    Ginny_B Member Posts: 532
    #7
    A beautiful tribute and a
    A beautiful tribute and a beautiful gift he gave after his death. God bless you both.
  • LilChemoSmoker
    LilChemoSmoker Member Posts: 185
    #8
    chemosmoker said:

    We love you Rita
    Rita,
    Greg was a loved and respected human being with a heart the size of the state you retired to. I know that he will be missed and remember for who he was and how many loves he must have touched. He touched mine, as did you, in just the short time I was privileged to know the two of you here.

    Thank you for sharing some of these beautiful highlights about Greg with us all here.
    He was obviously selfless to a fault as you said, from serving his country in a war that many were so ungrateful to our servicemen for having served.

    I wish you peace and calm and the presence of both God and Greg as the next few difficult weeks begin to go by for you and you find yourself in the grieving process.

    Please, know that we are ALL here for you and welcome anything you wish to post about Greg, ho you are feeling, and anything you may need from any of us. We are listening. We are here.

    May God bless you and hold you close. I will.

    With all the love possible over the Internet.

    -Eric

    If ever....
    Rita,

    As Eric has pointed out, you have shared many years with a dear and kind man, who gave to the very end. This is a beautiful gift and a he will be giving for many to come. You are an angel to share your experiences here with us and to entrust your communication with this family you have gained through the EC board. We will continue to hold you up in the face of grief, with the knowledge we all know only to well in these halls. May you find peace and glory in the presence of such a legacy he created. We love you and hold you close.

    Hugs!
    -Michelle
  • Heeran
    Heeran Member Posts: 171
    #9
    Thank you for sharing your
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful life story on this site and I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure the grieving process is very difficult for your family. Amazing final gift to medical. You are amazing people. Take care of yourself.
  • Wife of patient 50378
    Wife of patient 50378 Member Posts: 124
    #10
    Rita
    Your tribute describes a wonderful human being! May you find comfort to ease your pain.
    Sal
  • mrsbotch
    mrsbotch Member Posts: 349
    #11
    What a man your Greg was
    Oh Rita

    Reading about your Greg made me think so much about how so many good men are dying from the Beast of EC. I cannot believe how many have gone recently. Seems like God must be forming an Army of our men for something very important.

    Greg sounded so much like Vince, a vietnam vet, a compassionate person, a lover of his country and an overall good good man.

    My heart goes out to you Rita.

    You have been blessed with a wonderful man and this world will be sadder without him.


    Much love

    Barbara

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