I will cherish the times that Gega was able to spend with my two sons. We saw him more in the his latter years when he wasn't able to live at home, and it was great to see how happy they made each other. I'm very glad that my boys will have fond memories of their visits with their great grandfather.

Their last time together was one of Gega's better days. His blue eyes were wide open. He was responsive to simple things like conversation about his grippy socks and the pattern on his short sleeve, button down shirt. But my favorite memory from that day was when Gega said, "Hi, pal," to my oldest son.