In the wee hours of the morning on Friday, August 31, 2007, the world lost one of its most special inhabitants.
December 22, 1924 -- August 31, 2007
Clare B. Howard was known to most of those that knew him as "Bud," but everyone in the family just called him "Unc." Not "Uncle Bud," because the specificity was unnecessary. He was just "Unc" - the one and only.
He will be missed by everyone who knew him, and the hole he left behind in this world will never, ever be filled. His impact was simply that significant.
I won't eulogize Unc here, though...that's already been done. Instead, this blog entry will serve as the collection of his memory:
- His obituary, and the guest book, on the Lowell Sun web site
- The photo album we created
If you'd like to add something, send it to me. And feel free to leave a comment below. Although Unc never had a PC, I'm sure he'll figure out how to read this. He was an engineer, after all...
And finally, his daughter (my wife) presented the following eulogy at his Mercy Meal, and I feel it simply must be shared with everyone who knew Unc.
"unc"
He was the most honorable, caring, hard working unselfish, loving man I ever knew. And he was a true gentleman. He was an engineer, smart, witty and corny….. I wish I had a dime for every limerick he recited…we’d all be rich. He was a historian, he loved to debate about politics, especially with is brother and he was a walking encyclopedia. We would often ask how the heck do you know that? He as a story teller and sometimes a flirt, with those dancing eyes…he wasn’t too sick to notice how cute one of his nurses was! He was devoutly religious and his church, and the friends he made there, meant the world to him and so did his ritual of communion with my Uncle Jim.
When we, all of his chosen children, needed Unc because were hurt or in trouble, needed to talk or just plain needed a hug he was always there. He forged a special bond with each of us that we’ll carry in our hearts forever.
My brother meant the world to him. They had this incredible father son relationship. My Aunt told the story about the first time she left unc alone with Philip and the diapers and let’s just say that Unc ended up hosing Philip off in the shower. It went from there to Philip getting older and coming home saying Unc we need to make a deal…..Unc would say okay Phil how much is it going to cost me and out would come his wallet. He told me in these past few weeks how proud he way of you and the man that you have become. Your ability to run your own business balanced with the ability to be genuine, loving and affectionate. He thought the sun rose on your son – he brought him so much joy and laughter, as did all of our children.
It’s true what they say about fathers and daughters. I asked my loving husband why does this hurt so much and he said it’s because Auntie was your guiding light and Unc is your rock. I’m proud to say he was my Dad in every sense of the word and that he love me unconditionally…what a gift that is.
Before he died we had a talk and I told him how much I loved him and that he was my rock and that I didn’t know how I’d manage without him. He told me that it’s funny how the world changes and that at this time in his life I was his rock and that I should be there as a rock for our next generation so I think he passed the torch to each of us.
Well it got me to thinking about what’s important in this life:
- It’s being there for each other
- It’s admiring each others strengths
- It’s forgiving each others weaknesses
- It’s not worrying about the small stuff
- It’s sharing the joys and the sorrows
- It’s laughing, crying and being there for each other
- It’s loving each other unconditionally because no one knows what tomorrow may bring
So I challenge all of us in this next generation to be the guiding lights and rocks for each other and our children for I know that we could give him no better gift than to live the legacy he has left us with. I’m smart enough to know that he was a rock for all of us and that we were all his rock, his foundation his joy. We will miss him but we will all carry him in our hearts.
One last thing. Teena’s daughter pointed out last night that when you looked around at all the pictures, all you saw was Unc’s smile. In every picture, no matter who he was with, where he was, or when it was – that same big grin. And those twinkling eyes.
I think that’s exactly how our “Unc” wants us all to remember him.
Smilin’
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