Grandpa Jake (R), my dad’s father, passed away this morning. The picture above was taken on Father’s Day 2001. As many of you may know, Grandma Hahn passed away this past December and Grandpa has missed her dearly ever since. I guess he couldn’t wait any longer. In fact, many of us are surprised he went on this long.He is truly another one of my heroes. He fought in World War II out in the Pacific on a ship and barely escaped a kamikaze attack. He raised 6 children. He worked for years and years as a union plumber / pipe-fitter. He was a devout Catholic and husband. He was a man’s man.
He was up on the hill behind his house this morning with two of my uncles splitting and stacking firewood. He died doing what he loved on the land he loved so much. He was 83 and still a worker.
One of my fondest memories of Grandpa was when we were bailing hay in the summer when I was young. I was too young to lift the bales and too old to do the kids work of kicking bales into the next row. Grandpa let me drive the hay wagon. It was the greatest moment of my young life. He rode beside me on the wheel-well showing me how everything worked and then he jumped off. It was great to have someone I loved and respected place so much trust in me. Thank you Grandpa!
I love that memory and I love my Grandpa. Your prayers are appreciated. God Bless you all!
James M. Hahn, Author 