Just a little bit about Greg
ritawaite13
Member Posts: 236
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
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
0
Comments
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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!0 -
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.
-Eric0 -
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)0 -
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-Ann0 -
Ritajojoshort 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
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. Sam0 -
If ever....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
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!
-Michelle0 -
Rita
Your tribute describes a wonderful human being! May you find comfort to ease your pain.
Sal0 -
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
Barbara0
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