Grandpa Frank

My dad, Ally’s Grandpa Frank passed away August 25, 2023. He went quickly, with a call from the nursing home at 530pm telling me he was not well. My brothers went to see him and Ally’s cousins were able to say goodbye. But he was not aware of them or of what was happening and he left the earth around 11pm.

We watched ER our summer show while waiting for news, and I worked on a photo tribute for his memorial service. It was a hard time and it’s still hard. Ally feels his loss strongly. It’s hard for her to feel less love and she knew he loved her and he’s gone. 

We had a memorial in Burnt Hills and spoke with lots of lovely people who knew and respected and loved my dad. We received lovely cards and gifts and lots of support. We still miss him. We will honor him again when we set up our Day of the Dead Altar in a few weeks.

Here are some photos to remember him.

He was not really himself the last few years but he always asked about Ally when I spoke to him on the phone and somehow he always remembered what she was doing, volleyball or basketball or trips. 

We will all miss his love and treasure his spirit.

Here are a couple photos from the memorial:

First day of 11th grade

Hard to believe there are only 2 years left of high school. Ally started her junior year this week.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Everyday after school she looks like this. Curled up on the couch under a blanket with 1 2 or 3 pets with her.

Day 4

Friday she came home after her volleyball scrimmage and took a nap, ate some dinner and started homework!


After homework it was snuggle time with Daisy before bed.

August 2023

Just a quick post to document August.

Grandma and Poppy came to visit. It was a birthday gift for Grandma’s birthday.

These 4 went on a boat tour of Boston Architecture 


And Ally and I met up with them at their hotel pool later.

We visited the NE Quilt Museum 










It was a lovely few days with them.

Ally went to some more volleyball camp.

And spent all her free time with her cats.

We met up with Beth one very hot afternoon for a walk around Fenway.





Becky got new glasses. 


Ally got a haircut before school started.

And a new bed. A full size platform bed. It’s bigger and lower to the ground. Her room looks like a young adult lives there now. 

Guatemala Girls end of Summer at Gabi’s house.

And on the last day of the month Becky had an accident. Beth had back surgery and Becky spent the night to help her and during the night she tripped and fell into the corner of a wall.

And the most memorable event is that my dad passed away. Ally’s Grandpa Frank joined Grandma Barbie in heaven.