The Greatest Man I've Ever Known

November 30, 2007 was a day I'll never forget. It was a Friday. The Cowboys had just defeated the Packers 37-27 in a battle of the top-2 teams in the NFL. I was at work that day getting ready for the weekend. That afternoon, I received a call from my brother Damian. The first thing he said was - "Pa is missing"  -- I thought he was joking but after a few minutes, I realized, he wasn't. Then, less than 45 minutes later, he called back and all he said was "Pa died."  Being at work, I tried to maintain my composure but that was easier said than done. I told my boss I had to leave and tend to my family. Walking to the car in the parking lot, I began to weep uncontrollably. George Romano, my grandfather, the greatest man I've ever known, was dead.The following is the letter I read about my grandfather at his memorial service. This sums up my feelings about Pa.

Pa,

Hearing about your death came as a shock to me because I couldn't imagine a single day in my life without you alive in it. You were the single greatest person I've ever known. Every memory I have from my childhood has something to do with you. If it was making a little league all star team,  you were either a coach, or you were there as a fan. If it was hanging out at your house on a Friday night sleeping over with the many dozens and dozens of friends who called you their "2nd grandfather" or if it was something i was able to accomplish in my personal life, you never judged, and you were always there. Any sports memory I have as far as watching a game was concerned, was done at your house. When we played with our friends, it was in your backyard -- football, basketball, tennis ball baseball, whatever it was, we played it at your house. You were my grandfather, but you were also my friend, you were my 2nd father, and in many cases you were my first father. You were the reason i loved sports. You are the reason I am who I am today. Your example of love, and grace is one that I want to continue to emulate for the rest of my life. You told me to make my free throws when i played basketball. You told me to drive carefully and slowly. Some thought I actually did drive like a grandfather when I first learned how to drive. I learned how to drive in your brown boat, and drove it around Ravena with pride during my high school years. You loved your wife unconditionally for 60 years and visited her every single day once Nana was bound to a nursing home. You loved in a way i'm not sure i've ever seen from anyone in my entire life. You gave and gave and gave and never asked for anything back. You were also the most selfless man i've ever known.  When Chris, Damian or myself ever asked for anything, you never , ever said no. In fact, if you ever were thinking about saying no, you always had Nana to yell at you and tell you to just give it to us anyways. Man you loved us. The Bible talks about our lives as a living example of what Jesus was all about, and Pa, thats what you were. You were a living example of someone who loved unconditonally, who gave unconditionally, and who touched many, many, many lives along the way.  That is called a legacy Pa, and you left one on all of us. I only pray that my life, my marriage to Dawn, and my relationship with Sarah can be half as good as what your relationship to Nana, and your love for Chris, Damian, Mom, Dad, and myself was. Pa, I've wrote it many times in cards, and letters to you, but I meant it then, and I really, really mean it now .... THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. Thank you for giving everything you had to us. I will miss you more than anything, and you will be with me every moment of everyday, wherever I go and whatever I do. I know how proud you were that I work at ESPN, and I know the last channel you were watching at your house before you passed on was indeed ESPN. Pa, I dedicate the rest of my life to you and your memory. I will love you forever.

Jay

 Galatians 5:22 talks about the fruits of the spirit. I believe my Grandfather displayed every single one of these during his time on earth.-Pa loved unconditionally to all who came in contact with him, especially his wife of 60 years.-Pa had a joy about him that made you just want to be in his presence.-Pa was the most patient man you'd ever meet.-Pa's kindness was always present in people's lives.-Pa was a good man who always tried to do the right thing and live his life by placing others before himself.-Pa was faithful. Faithful to his wife of 60 years. Faithful to his family. Faithful to his friends and faithful to God.I wrote it 7 years ago and I'll write it again. Pa I miss you so much and I'll love you forever. Thank you for everything.