Goodbye to my good friend…

It is hard to read the signs life gives us but I am beginning to read them. My message has been real clear, enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Let those you love know you love them…now! Life is often very busy and we can’t always get together when we want to. I am glad of one thing, I called him a week ago to see how he was doing and to say hello. I can still hear his voice, he was a kind and supportive person, a person I admired…a role model. I’m writing this for me but hope the reading may help others as well. Pick up the phone and call if you can get together, do it now.

Who is my friend? His name is Jack Gineo, he was a great man. Here is what his obituary said…58, of Coventry, died suddenly, Friday morning, (May 19, 2006) at the St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie, FL. Jack was born August 16, 1947 in Hartford, the son of John and Marie Cavallari Gineo and grandson of James and Ruby Cavallari and Giovanni and Sebastiana Gineo. He is predeceased by his beloved father and grandparents. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Virginia Tewksbury; his mother and sister, Mary and Jane Gineo, both of New Britain; brother, Mark and his wife, Leigh Gineo of Sarasota, FL. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Alice Tewksbury of Glastonbury; his wife’s children, Roy Merluzzo and his wife Lisa and their children, Nicholas, Brandon, and Isabelle; Jay Merluzzo and his wife Laura and their children, Amalia, Mia, and Celia; Elizabeth Merluzzo Fahey and her husband Kevin and their children, Quinn, Brody, and Joseph; and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins from both sides of the family. Before retirement, John worked for the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Community College System as a project manager in Information Technology for 19 years. He recently found his dream job of academic advising of students at the Continuing Studies Center at the University of Connecticut. He served in the U.S Army, 25th Division and 3rd Infantry Division, from 1968-1972 as a sergeant. He is a Veteran of the Vietnam War and received an Army Commendation Medal, two Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also was a founding member of the Vietnam Veterans of America CT Chapter and instrumental in the establishment of the Manchester Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He was involved in organizing and managing the Special Olympics at the University of Connecticut during the 1980’s. Jack loved life and enjoyed entertaining and cooking for his many friends and relatives. He was a life-long student with a constant thirst for knowledge. He also enjoyed working with his wife in their many gardens.

My GOD bless him and see him into heaven.