He was a captain at the Anaheim Fire Department, and proudly served the city for 27 years. He also owned and operated a tour company, Tortuga Express.
I had the pleasure of working for him for 12 years. We had a lot of great times! One thing that dad and I looked forward to each year was the Fire & Police Winter Olympics trip. We always travelled with the group on that one and had a ball. The business started out taking travellers on trips to Matzatlan, Mexico. It grew to be the number 1 ski tour operator in the USA to Western Canada. My dad could sell a haircut to a bald man!
My dad loved traveling to Hawaii. Below in the top left is a pic of him relaxing, which really he didn't do all that much when he went to the islands. He liked to get out and do things, meet people. As you see there are a few photos of my parents throughout the years. The bottom right is a pic from 1980, a white water river rafting trip they went on.
My dad was a wonderful Grandfather. I was a single parent and my kids looked up to my dad as a father figure and a positive male role model. Below are a few pics with my kids at the Orange County Fair, Bret crawling up in a Fire Engine for the first time, and some time at Irvine Park with the animals. Memories I know Bret & Taryn will cherish forever.
The thing I am thankful for most in these recent years, is that my dad got to walk me down the aisle when I was married May 17, 2008. He and my mom were able to travel to Florida, see where I lived, and visit the gorgeous area and beach. I am so blessed he was there to give me away, and be with me on my wedding day.
In closing, I want to wish my dad a Happy Father's Day, because he is truely with Our Father and I can take comfort in that. I miss you dad, you will never be forgotten.
**A note to all - this is the first time I've used a program to make collages, they came out ok but I've had a heck of a time inserting them into this blog post. So please just take it as it is, its the best I could do - hee hee :)
The thing I am thankful for most in these recent years, is that my dad got to walk me down the aisle when I was married May 17, 2008. He and my mom were able to travel to Florida, see where I lived, and visit the gorgeous area and beach. I am so blessed he was there to give me away, and be with me on my wedding day.
In closing, I want to wish my dad a Happy Father's Day, because he is truely with Our Father and I can take comfort in that. I miss you dad, you will never be forgotten.
