A Passing View

I attended a funeral today of a great gentleman, from that old community where I lived for so long. I had known him for years, and he and his wife ended up being my clients for the last several years. His wife passed last August, ending their 62 + year marriage. Myself, and his caregivers, were concerned from the get go, about his health and willingness to maintain life without her. He did surprisingly well for several months, but the last two have been hard on him. I think depression played a role. He would have been 96 tomorrow.

This was not your normal, old, retired guy. He retired from Boeing 26 years ago, and has been an active, overachieving community member, ever since. Heck, he was on the community center board with me in 2009 for a time, he was 93 or so then. Bless him for the notoriety he brought to multiple groups, organizations and the local chamber and our town as a whole. His volunteerism outshines anyone I can think of. So, on my hour drive to the church, I was thinking of some of our interesting talks. I stopped and visited him several times, personally, over the past several months as I knew he was lonely. He was thrilled I was involved in a Toastmaster's, of which he had participated in for three years in his career days. Sage, wise, thoughtful, kind words and knowledge was shared by him. He was of genuine heart, willing to help anyone. Non judgemental, he was. I was thinking of the crowded church and who would be present at the service.

To my surprise, there were barely 30 or so people in attendance. I was truly stunned. I thought there would be folks from a variety of organizations present, filling the place. I must say, on my drive home, I was ashamed of that community. Shame on them for not taking an hour or so from their day to pay honor to him and the family. I certainly know not everyone could attend, but I was at a loss of words from lack of attendance. For all he did for so many. Then, I just said to myself, it is not mine to judge.