Grandparents Day 2017: This Is My Grandparent's Greatest Legacy

My paternal grandfather was my favorite jokester. Every Christmas Eve he used to tell me that, due to extenuating circumstances — "Santa drank too much eggnog" or, "Someone shot Rudolph" — Christmas had been cancelled. To this day, I blame him for my dark sense of humor.

Two of the toughest, kindest and most elegant women I've ever known I got to call my grandmothers. I grew up with more than 20 cousins, but not one of us ever felt slighted by them when it came to hugs, weekend excursions or the occasional chocolate chip cookie.

I only got to meet my mother's father as an infant, but I feel like I knew him thanks to the countless stories shared around the dinner table on holidays. His time spent in the Marines, his habit for crashing my aunts' dates to intimidate their boyfriends and his pet donkey that frequently escaped onto the mean streets of Queens stand out as some of my favorites.

For me, these collective happy memories are my grandparents' legacy. And as it turns out, our Patch readers' grandparents have some pretty incredible legacies of their own.

In honor of Grandparents Day on Sunday, Sept. 10, we asked Patch readers to tell us: What makes your grandparent a legend in your family or community? Your answers made us realize that while no two grandparents are alike, they are all grander than grand, and deserve to be celebrated.

So here's to you, grandparents everywhere. We're sorry you had to walk to and from school (uphill both ways), but we're so grateful that you paved the way for us.

"My grandmother, Irene Clow, was born in 1890 and fell off a bicycle (the ones with the big front wheel and the tiny back wheel) when she was 16 and lost her hearing. She learned lip reading like a champ, designed stationery to sell (women weren't allowed to work out of the home in those days), played the piano really well and raised twins (my mom and my uncle). For a woman of that age, she was an amazing person."

—Carole Pool, Livermore

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"My Granny is not the typical Granny. Horrible cooking. No baking. 3oz of fresh Squeezed OJ in the morning was breakfast. The cohort of cousins would terrorize the house and hear, "Judas Priest, get out of the Pachysandras!" Granny always scolding with a smile. Never one to hold a grudge or judge harshly, Granny is a sucker for children having fun, as still evidenced at the annual Christmas Eve Party.

Beyond all of her tangible accomplishments - charities started, boards served, money raised - Granny's legacy is something harder to define. It's more intangible than an award or an objective recognition. It's bigger than her kind and curious spirit. To me, Granny's legacy is each relationship she created that reverberates through the past.

My Grandmother is a wonderful woman, indeed. Ask anyone in Nashville or, really, any city for that matter. If there are 6 degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon, there are only 5 from Edie Bass. She meets people she loves because she loves everyone she meets. Even if her time spent with you is fleeting, your connection, and all those she has created throughout her lifetime, is real and it shall always endure."

—Maddin Nelson, Nashville, TN

"My grandfather, Dr. David C. Cline, was a physician in Dumfries from the early 1900's until his passing in 1931 from an auto accident on Route 1 while traveling to visit a patient in Triangle. His log book from 1908 mentions the birth of a lot of local names from Stafford, Prince William County, and surrounding areas plus interesting bits of info regarding costs and services."

—Mark W. Cline, Southern Stafford, VA

"My grandfather Paul Mishik was born in 1885 in Czechoslovakia. He came to America in the early 1900s to live the American dream. He built his own house and settled in Nesquehoning, PA, where he worked the coal mines, was a founding member with the local volunteer fire department, was an avid hunter and provider.

He always showed his love towards me, cried every time I showed up or left after my visits from NYC. He passed away too soon in the 60s from Coalminers Black Lung Disease. I will remember and miss him till my days are done too."

—Rick Ferrari , Patchogue, NY

"My Grandfather Dr. Ahmed Mazaheri's legacy is his family. Within us he has instilled his message of community service, work ethic, and education. He grew up on a farm in rural Iran, through academic success he was able to receive a scholarship to attend college and medical school in Germany, eventually ending up in Doylestown as one of the first urologists on staff at the Doylestown Hospital.

Throughout the years he has donated his time to rotary club, Boy Scouts of America, various medical societies, and so much more. He has always taught his grandchildren that if you want something it can be achieved through hard work and education. My grandfather has taught us that hard work pays off. I have heard him say this all throughout my life. Recently his message of hard work has paid off for me, the eldest grandchild, as I am about to start my first week of law school. My grandfather Dr. Mazaheri's legacy will be his grandchildren, as they will be the next generation of activists within their community, just as he was."

—Alex Alfieri, Doylestown, PA

"My grandfather was an EMT and responded to the Cocoanut Grove Fire then went in the Army and was at the Dachau concentration camp during its liberation. His name was Charles McNeil of Cambridge, Ma."

—Kevin Richards, Lebanon, PA

"My maternal grandmother immigrated from Italy and was a dressmaker. My maternal grandfather immigrated from Portugal and was a successful business owner."

—Deanna Degraff, Washington Township, Morris County, NJ

"Determination! My Granny married at the age of 13, raised during the depression in South East Alabama, her father died when she was young. Her mother and 3 older sisters worked hard to keep the family farm. She married and worked in factories to make ends meet. She had numerous miscarriages and finally had 1 son when she was 21. She retired from a Florida fruit packing house. Was a master seamstress, making all her own dresses (all she ever wore were hand made dresses) and made dresses for me and my sister. She was married 61 years, had a stroke at 79; lived with me and my family until her death at the age of 85. She taught me strength, grace and determination!"

—Deanna Sutton Smith, Tarpon Springs, FL

"My paternal grandparents have both passed away, but they inspired many in my family to be involved in public service. My grandmother's family was instrumental in establishing both the local fire department and first aid squad in their community. My grandfather, William Britton, was a life member and trustee of the Pleasant Plains Volunteer Fire Department, and inspired his sons to also join, later inspiring the next generation to be involved as well.

My grandmother, Gwendolyn Britton, was a member of the ladies' auxiliary at the firehouse and was the head cook at multiple elementary schools in Toms River. Her work in the school inspired me to work with children also, but as a high school teacher. I cherish the memories of attending various fire department events where my grandparents would volunteer unselfishly and tirelessly alongside their friends in the community.

Additionally, my grandparents taught us the importance of family, and we all still gather as often as possible. My grandmother lived basically her entire life on Monroe Avenue in Toms River until she needed daily care due to dementia. My brother currently lives in her childhood home, and my sister lives in her marital home, my father's childhood home, which is right next door. I believe that this demonstrates a pretty uncommon sense of connection to the community of Toms River, which has changed so drastically in the last 40 years. I'm proud of the positive qualities my grandparents instilled in us and I know that a piece of their commitment and service is carried by not just my family but the many members of the community whose lives they touched."

—Aimee Melillo-Repko, Barnegat, NJ

"Sixty-five years of marriage. My grandparents raised 6 children, 12 grand-children and 4 great-grand children. I am the oldest of the 12 grandchildren at the prime age of 41. While I may not have witnessed it all, I've witnessed my grandparents get through some trying times.

Since November 2016 grandma has been in a nursing home, it was intended to be more rehabilitative than anything, but since her diagnosis of Alzheimer's, they say "her treatment wasn't progressing". My grandfather, mainly wheelchair bound himself has continued to take care of the house in hopes his "love will come home." He, at 84 years old makes trips to the nursing home, as often as he can just to have dinner with her. She still recognizes him, by face, but not so much by name. He still intends to bring her home, or if he can't, is determined to live out the rest of their years together, under one roof.

I share their story, not only because its meaningful, but it shows how even after 65 years of marriage, they can gaze at one another in their wheel chairs, feed each other snacks and hold hands. To me, to our family, that says it all."

—Mandy Van Pelt, Bayville, NJ

"My Grandma Englert is a legend in my family because of her smiling, loving, and faith filled life. She never had a cross word to say about anyone. If someone wronged her, she would usually pray for them or try to see what she could do to improve their day. She taught how to live more by example than by telling you what to do. She lived with all her heart and you always felt you were the center of the world when you were with her. She has been gone for over ten years now, but her legacy and memory still live on. I miss her every day!"

—Amanda Holuj, New Lenox, IL

"My grandparents' greatest legacy is my two brothers and I. When it was time for them to retire they took in and raised three very active boys as their own, when they could have said no. Our parents divorced, went their separate ways and started new families, leaving us with our grandparents. But Luis and Grace did what they always did, gave us a home, taught us right from wrong, and what it means to be men, husbands and fathers, but most importantly, that to be the good guy in everything in life isn't complicated. It's when you complicate life is when you stray from the path.

Now, my brothers and I pass this to our children, and hopefully one day, their children, meaning their legacy will live on as long as our family grows. I miss them, I love them, and we owe them awe for everything they've done."

—Randy Owens, Plainfield IL

"To me, [my grandmother's] greatest legacy is how passionate she is about learning. She was a teacher for many years, and later on the board of education and I would confidently say that there is nothing she values more. She still takes courses at Hunter college, attends almost too many lectures to count, and is always out and about at some arts event or enrichment program.

I would be remiss to not mention how fiercely she loves, and values time with her family. She is constantly planning one-on-one trips, dinners or activities with each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and goes out of her way to give each of us thoughtful and generous gifts, whether that be a perfect stone she found at the beach, or something we'd mentioned wanting or needing in the past. Not to mention, that she regularly allows my cousins and me to film and photograph her for social media. Talk about love.

My grandmother is a legend not only because she is the family ring-leader, but because without her we would all be lost trying to plan everyones birthday party for the wrong day. She is our strongest supporter, our loudest cheerleader, and were very lucky she's ours!"

—Katie Queen, New York, NY

"His wit, humor and sayings!! Greatest one: " You never appreciate anything that is handed to you, it must be earned!!!" True then, and now."

—Theresa Yagiello, Barnegat, NJ

"My grandfather was LCPO John L. Naughton Jr who fought in World War II. He was a petty officer who was aboard a CLCA-34 known as U.S.S. Astoria until its untimely end in 1942.

On August 9, 1942 the US heavy cruiser was sunk in the Battle of Salvo Island... When [my Grandpa] was relieved at midnight [from his shift], he slept on the deck and told his relief to wake him at 0400. At 0100, my grandpa awoke to spotlights shining on the cruiser. The enemy came around the island and caught the ship in total surprise.

They were told to abandon ship due to it taking a lot of heavy fire. They were in the rafts floating all night until spotted by a destroyer the following morning. My grandpa and the shipmates caught transport and returned to Pearl Harbor.

He was one the survivors. 300 soldiers out of 1100 lost their lives in the Battle of the Salvo Island.

My grandpa went on to work on Lakehurst Naval Air Force Base in the reserves until he retired in the early 1980s. He had 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and when he passed had 4 great-grandchildren. That number has grown to 19 great-grandchildren. Each one knows the story of how brave he was and the strength he had is instilled in each one of us. If there is anything I learned from him was this; no matter what life throws at you, as long as you hold on to your faith and keep your eye on the horizon, prayers will be answered and life will look out for you."

—Melissa Naughton, Manchester, NJ

"By us getting together to celebrate our legacy with the past, present and future generations alike."

—Kelly Bonner, Joliet, IL

"My grandfather, an Irish immigrant and WWI veteran, bred and trained champion collies as a career. He showed the only collie ever to go Best in Show at Westminster. That was in 1929, and it was also the youngest dog of any breed ever to win. The dog's name was Ch. Laund Loyalty of Bellhaven.

The record holds to this day. My grandfather, Mike Kennedy, remains famous among collie breeders worldwide today. He died in 1979. The kennel he worked at, Bellhaven was located on Locust Ave in Red Bank, and it was active for nearly 50 years."

—Lynne Kennedy, Brick, NJ

"My grandparents were founding members of Shorewood, IL. My grandfather, Raymond "Pat" Clark was the first Village President of Shorewood up until he died on Father's Day in 1959 when my mother was just 5 years old. Although I never met him, the stories told by my family have made it feel as though I did. My grandma, Leah Clark, remained in Shorewood for the rest of her life serving in the Ladies Auxiliary and also as an election judge every year and was even the grand marshal of the Crossroads Fest parade one year. She passed away in 2013 just short of her 94th birthday but because of them, Shorewood will always hold a special place in my heart, as well as my family's!"

—Maggie McCormick, Braidwood, Illinois

"My grandmother's greatest legacy is how she was an independent and strong woman despite many adversities. She was, for the most part, a single woman raising her children all on her own and was successful at keeping her family out of poverty despite all the barriers that she faced. She believed in taking care of herself and her family and had a strong work ethic and instilling that in her children. Everyone worked to support the family. And she created opportunities to continue to support her family and create opportunities for them such as investing in real estate in her community. It is that strong work ethic that she passed down for many generations."

—Elaine Orbino, Bel Air, MD

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