Dad by pjcervantes
Open full image in new tab Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
Description
My Dad was a salt of the earth what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of guy.
He was basically shy, quiet & unassuming with a self-deprecating wit. College wasn’t possible because he had to help support the family after finishing high school, not unusual for someone of the working & middle classes in the 1920s. He did, however, excel as an athlete & played for the Toronto Argonauts football team, becoming captain at the end. He also played third base for T.O.’s best baseball team. He was blessed with good health all of his long life. Most important, he was always honorable being a great role model for my brother & me.
I remember:
He said his playing weight was 180 lbs, which was considered average; guys weighing 210-215 lbs were considered big!
His nose was broken four times on the gridiron. One particular bad injury also damaged his eyes. On the way to the hospital by ambulance he could only think of the new car he had just bought & would never be able to drive (he still didn’t know how to drive – a friend was going to teach him the next day!).
After he retired from the Argos he was still in great shape when he entered a foot race at a company picnic. Also entered was a chap who thought he would win easily. After the race he reportedly said of Dad ‘The SOB must have muscles in his sh*t!’.
For several years he was in sales requiring him to drive through much of northern Ontario, a huge region to cover. ‘I only wish there had been car radios in those days!’
He was a natty dresser & my parents made an attractive couple. I wish I had seen them in their salad days on the town. Dad brought out his old top hat for me to use in my magic show.
It was frustrating for me whenever he took me to a game & we always had to leave before the end, no matter how close it was, to ‘beat the traffic’. One time he must have been inspired watching ‘Boom Boom’ Geoffrion of the Canadiens against our Leafs because when he found that our car was blocked in the parking lot he forced his way out – ‘Don’t tell your Mother!’.
He was a good card player, especially poker & was in a game every week. When Mom expressed concern about gambling house money he explained ‘I can’t afford NOT to play!’ Like I said he was good.
He liked to unwind before dinner with not one but two drinks ‘I can’t fly on one wing’ & they were always on the rocks. He was grateful when the awkward metal ice cube trays were replaced by plastic ones. “Why didn’t I think of that?’
He followed the Eastern League’s Big Four & the Western League religiously on weekends. He would usually be in the basement with several radios on blasting out games simultaneously.
He was a member of Kiwanis & every year they ran a carnival. One year Dad was put in charge of the Ferris wheel. Dad came home early, a covered bulls eye & directed to the basement to clean up.
Comments (15)
CoolDimension
Great story and collage! Thank you for sharing it with me.
pjcervantes
Thanks fella. (It won third place in the 2021 Photography Halloween Contest.)
pjcervantes
Hopefully more will appreciate it. Not just you.
katherinerose62
Wonderfully intricate work! .
pjcervantes
Happy you enjoyed it.
agathasmith
Great work! www.drywallwinstonsalem.com
pjcervantes
Thank you - he was a great Dad.
Jennifer23
Thank you so much for sharing this one. Change of Address Near Me
pjcervantes
You are most welcome. Glad it moved you.
Huntyy
I don't have a great dad and it's great to read this. roll off dumpster rental
pjcervantes
So happy you read it - thanks for your comment!
AmberBrion
Your dad sounds like quite a remarkable man! From his athletic achievements to his sense of humor and dedication to his family, he left quite an impression. It’s touching to hear about the small moments and quirks that made him who he was, like his insistence on leaving games early to beat the traffic or his dedication to his pre-dinner routine. It’s clear that he was not only a loving father but also a respected member of his community, whether through his involvement in Kiwanis or his skill at the poker table. It must have been wonderful to have such a strong role model growing up. https://www.outsideco.com/
pjcervantes
Thanks for your lovely sentiments.
katherinerose62
This is an awesome and interesting post. I always appreciate new information like this post. You are doing awesome and keep up the great work Thank you. www.dfwbathandkitchensolution.com/showers
pjcervantes
Bless you.
Janwil
Very inspiring post! Thanks for the share. Plaster Repairs
pjcervantes
Glad it moved you!