One Less Bills Fan....

[Chef Jim]

I lost my dad this week. 

 

And no I don't need any advice.  I've already looked behind the couch. 

 

In lieu of prayers and sympathy please add your favorite anecdote about your dad.  I'll start

 

As most of you know my dad was an avid skier.  Skied pretty much every day during the season right up until last winter at the age of 89.  He told me a story a few years ago.  He was riding the lift at Holiday Valley where he'd skied for over 50 years (hell I started there nearly 50 years ago myself).  It was him and a couple on the lift.  They were making small talk and they asked if he was local. He said yes he lived right there in Ellicottville however he told them he spent 35 years in Attica.  He said they both scooted over in the chair away from him.   And with a mafia mug like this you can understand their concern.  

 

 

Edited November 1, 2018 by Chef Jim

[Gavin in Va Beach]

Condolences Jim. Sounds like he had a well lived life.

[WhoTom]

Sorry for your loss, Jim.

 

My late father was a "dad joke" kind of guy, which helps explain my goofy sense of humor. Once, when ordering pizza at a restaurant, the waitress asked if we wanted the pizza cut into eight slices or twelve. Dad replied, "Eight, please. We're not hungry enough to eat twelve."

 

 

[Guffalo]

Sorry for your loss Jim, losing a parent sucks. 

 As per your request,

 

Years ago, while skiing, my Dad took a pretty bad fall, landing on his chest, with the pole grip against his chest. Good bruise, really stunned him. He said right then and there, "I'm done" In reality I think he realized that his kids were now better than he was and he was trying to keep up and thats what caused his crash. Anyway, the next day the whole family gets in the car to go back to the slopes for another day and Dad is in his gear, but didnt bring any skiis or poles, just his boots. I figured he would go back and get them after we were all booted up and out on the slopes. Every once in a while we would stop and he would be in the lodge, in his gear just checking out the snow bunnies (in the 70's they all wore the tight suits/pants). For the rest of the season he folowed the same plan, gear on, looking the part, just chatting up snow bunnies while we all skied. 

 

[Chef Jim]

7 minutes ago, Guffalo said:

Sorry for your loss Jim, losing a parent sucks. 

 As per your request,

 

Years ago, while skiing, my Dad took a pretty bad fall, landing on his chest, with the pole grip against his chest. Good bruise, really stunned him. He said right then and there, "I'm done" In reality I think he realized that his kids were now better than he was and he was trying to keep up and thats what caused his crash. Anyway, the next day the whole family gets in the car to go back to the slopes for another day and Dad is in his gear, but didnt bring any skiis or poles, just his boots. I figured he would go back and get them after we were all booted up and out on the slopes. Every once in a while we would stop and he would be in the lodge, in his gear just checking out the snow bunnies (in the 70's they all wore the tight suits/pants). For the rest of the season he folowed the same plan, gear on, looking the part, just chatting up snow bunnies while we all skied. 

 

 

I have five siblings.  Of course we all skied but I was the only one that kept up with it while the others dropped out.  70's snow bunnies had a lot to do with me keeping it up.  

[plenzmd1]

Condolences Jim..sucks when you lose your father/friend.

 

My dad was a  kind , kind, soul who always put the other guys needs first. One of the funniest things I remember about my pops was at an early swim meet of mine in the 70's ...travel meet for the YMCA State Championships. I must have been 10 or so, he was mid 50's(which was old back then) . Streaking craze was on...the younger fathers got him all jacked up about being old as they were drinking and talking smack ...so he went streaking across the hotel lobby/ bar area to prove he was still "with it". Thought for sure my Moms was gonna divorce him right there and then!

 

He was born in 1919, he was always weird about jeans too...never ever wore them. To him, people "on relief" wore jeans. he was not gunna let people think he was on the relief!!!! And we always had enough money, not a alot, but never went hungry either..he was just worried people would think we poor !!!!

 

 

[row_33]

At 7, the first time I got hit full square in the face with a hard-kicked soccer ball I cried and cried, they stopped the game.

 

My Dad stood there patiently on the sidelines, not really his usual thing, and afterwards said it was like a punch in the face, it's something you don't want and it hurts a bit but shrug it off and keep going.

 

Two weeks later I took another to the face and kept on player without a peep.  Teammates later told me they were impressed by taking it like that.

 

RIP for your father, I still have mine as he's in his mid-70s and doing fine, better than me.

 

 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

In the 1950s and 60s, my dad and his brother in law did their best to have a beer (or 3 or 4) in every gin mill in WNY.  By late 2001, my dad was slowly wasting away from various cancers in Florida.  He kept surprising doctors and family members with his continued existence.  Suddenly, the same brother in law passed here in Buffalo, totally unexpected.  Within three days my father passed away, probably not wanting to get too far behind on drinks rounds at St. Peter's Bar and Grill.  

 

With time, the good memories will always win out over the sadness of losing  him, Jim.

Edited November 1, 2018 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[Marv's Neighbor]

My Dad had to buy me an electric train for Christmas, I think '49, I would have been 2+ years old.  So every year "Santa" would bring me the train, and when the tree came down, Santa picked it up for "next year"  So the first train was a steam engine freight type.  About 52-53 Lionel introduced a Diesel.  My Dad have to get that for me.  Same deal, Santa bought it, and it went away after the tree came down.  As he was putting the new diesel train up, my Mom asked him, where the steam engine was?   Dad had traded it in for the diesel, without my Mom knowing.  Mom said NO WAY!  Santa does not trade away a child's trains!  So my Dad had to go back any buy the steam engine train back.  Now I had two train sets, and that was fine with me.  A couple of years later, I remarked that I thought a certain coal hopper used to be black, and now it was maroon red?  Mom flashed dad a look, and several years later, I heard the "rest of the story."

 

RIP to your Dad!  All Dad's are special, and most people think theirs is the most special of all.

[Patrick Duffy]

Sorry for your loss. Be thankful (which I'm sure you are) that you had a good relationship with your father. Mine is scum. Condolences to you and your family.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Sorry for the loss of your father and a friend, Jim.

 

God Bless you and your family.

 

[Bill from NYC]

I am very sorry to hear this. May God bless you and your loved ones and provide comfort during these times of sorrow.

[plenzmd1]

19 minutes ago, Marv's Neighbor said:

My Dad had to buy me an electric train for Christmas, I think '49, I would have been 2+ years old.  So every year "Santa" would bring me the train, and when the tree came down, Santa picked it up for "next year"  So the first train was a steam engine freight type.  About 52-53 Lionel introduced a Diesel.  My Dad have to get that for me.  Same deal, Santa bought it, and it went away after the tree came down.  As he was putting the new diesel train up, my Mom asked him, where the steam engine was?   Dad had traded it in for the diesel, without my Mom knowing.  Mom said NO WAY!  Santa does not trade away a child's trains!  So my Dad had to go back any buy the steam engine train back.  Now I had two train sets, and that was fine with me.  A couple of years later, I remarked that I thought a certain coal hopper used to be black, and now it was maroon red?  Mom flashed dad a look, and several years later, I heard the "rest of the story."

 

RIP to your Dad!  All Dad's are special, and most people think theirs is the most special of all.

this reminds of another funny story bout my Dad..he was as cheap as cheap could be. Until i was about 8..we were told Santa brought the tree with him. We would go to bed, then my Mom and Dad would decorate the tree..all in an effort to buy a cheap tree on Christmas Eve. Still makes me laugh what he did to save $10

[bills_fan]

My condolences Jim.  May he RIP.  Its terrific you had as much time as you did and that he was able to enjoy skiing until he was 89.  Gives me hope that I enjoy it that long.

 

Per your request...

 

Year was 1996 and I had just turned 21.  I went with my Dad when I was on home for break to a place I had never been...the old Boston Hotel in Boston, NY.  On this particular night it was 99 cents a dozen for clams, oysters and other nibbles but we were there for the clams and oysters.  We started with two dozen each of raw clams, raw oysters and steamed clams and ice cold pitcher of Labatts Blue.  It was the first time I was drinking in a pub with my Dad.  We were scarfing down plenty of clams and oysters and enjoying ice cold beer.  This was great!  We ended up polishing off 16 dozen total and washing it down with a couple pitchers.  Was a terrific memory for me because it felt like we crossed a line...a very good line together.

[ricojes]

Sorry for your loss...

 

This is my father's 39th year as a Bills season ticket holder.  Just tailgated with him this past Monday night and I cherish every one of those!

[RaoulDuke79]

Sorry for your loss.

 

My father and I didn't have a good relationship. He was a troubled man who fought many deamons because of how he was brought up by his father. He was a very talented man mechanically. By my standards, I would say near genius level. He built our entire house from the ground up. Foundation, plumbing,  electrical. There was literally nothing that he couldn't fix. In all my 18 years living under his roof we never had anyone come into the house to do any type of repair or maintenance. The only time any of our vehicles were taken to the mechanic was for state inspection. Everything else was done in our garage from body work to engine rebuilds. He fabricated trailers (welding, electrical,  etc...)because a few of his buddies needed them. He was hardened man who was quick to anger and had a tough time showing love to those closest to him. He was never physically abusive, but I guess by today's standards he would be considered verbally abusive for sure. Again, I'm sure this is because of how he was raised. Because of that and his addiction we spent very little time together growing up, which I really look back upon with regret. There's so much more I could have learned.

 

This is where the sad story ends. There were some good things that came of it. I became very self sufficient because I was afraid to go to him with questions. I became very attentive detail and a perfectionist in an effort to live up to his standards. Now that I'm older and have kids of my own, I'm aware of the things that I do or say that were similar to what he did and make an effort to get better. We have a lot of the same characteristics when I sit down and think about it. As the saying goes, "the sins of the father are passed down to the third and fourth generation". I'm doing what I can to make sure I'm the last one.

[Gugny]

I'm very sorry to read this news, Jim.  Your dad was obviously a wonderful man and father.

 

My parents were at a local drug store years ago.  In the parking lot, getting ready to leave, the woman parked next to him left her cart in the parking lot and was about to get into her car.  My dad, mid-70s at the time, rolled his window down and said, "shouldn't you put that cart away so it doesn't hit anyone's car?"  The woman promptly came back with, "Oh, f**k you."  My dad then said, "really nice ... do you eat with that mouth?"  As he drove away, the woman flipped him off.  He loves telling that story.

 

He'll be 79 in December; mom is 74.  When people ask them how long they've been married, or if they comment on what a cute couple they are, his response always contains, "we're actually trying to have one more child."  Gets a hearty laugh every time.

[BringBackFergy]

Very sorry Jim.  As has been said, the stories your Dad told you throughout your life will always bring a smile to your face....especially those of a bar/restaurant owner. Those have to be great memories.

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

My Dad, who passed in '90 but was a true Bills fan since we arrived in Buffalo in '66, coined a phrase I still use today:

"Kick the field goal, boys"

[outsidethebox]

So sorry for your loss Chef. May he rest in peace.

 

I didn't know my father, but my father in law was a dad to me. He passed away  a few years ago. He came down with polio at 6 months and lost the use of his legs and most of his left side. But that never stopped him from becoming the best auto mechanic I've ever met. He never went to school due to his handicap but he was smart as a whip and I loved him like a father.

 

Once again, my condolences Jim.

[Marv's Neighbor]

1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said:

this reminds of another funny story bout my Dad..he was as cheap as cheap could be. Until i was about 8..we were told Santa brought the tree with him. We would go to bed, then my Mom and Dad would decorate the tree..all in an effort to buy a cheap tree on Christmas Eve. Still makes me laugh what he did to save $10

Can't imagine where they got the energy to do all that stuff at the last minute. 

 

When I was growing up, there were no artificial trees.  My Mom would never allow the tree to go up till 12/23.  Reason being that it had to last for the 12 days of Christmas.  By January 7th, it was one dry tree.  Never had any issues with that, but in hindsight, it was not very safe to keep it that long. 

 

One year, we bought the tree, had it in a bucket of water in the unheated garage, when it came time to bring it inside it was frozen in the bucket.  Had to wait a day for it to thaw out.  Very much like the Christmas Story movie.

[plenzmd1]

One more quick one @Chef Jim , you might get a kick out of this one. My mom died in 99, dad was 80 but still had an itch for female company and would hit  on anything with a skirt if they were nice to him. So the lady ( about 60 he estimated) at the dry cleaners was always very nice, he asked her out and they went on a few dates..and he kissed her goodnight first date and a little deeper kiss on the second date.

 

The third date they go to mall to eat, he walks into a department store sees a dress, and tells her he wants to see her in it and buy for her as he really likes it. Problem is, she can't go into the changing rooms cause she is a he..and this is when she decided to tell my dad!!!

 

Give the old buggar credit, he was 82 and laughed like hell that night when he told me on the phone!!!

[Misterbluesky]

Sorry to read the news,Jim. Peace to you and your family.

[MarkyMannn]

2 hours ago, Marv's Neighbor said:

My Dad had to buy me an electric train for Christmas, I think '49, I would have been 2+ years old.  So every year "Santa" would bring me the train, and when the tree came down, Santa picked it up for "next year"  So the first train was a steam engine freight type.  About 52-53 Lionel introduced a Diesel.  My Dad have to get that for me.  Same deal, Santa bought it, and it went away after the tree came down.  As he was putting the new diesel train up, my Mom asked him, where the steam engine was?   Dad had traded it in for the diesel, without my Mom knowing.  Mom said NO WAY!  Santa does not trade away a child's trains!  So my Dad had to go back any buy the steam engine train back.  Now I had two train sets, and that was fine with me.  A couple of years later, I remarked that I thought a certain coal hopper used to be black, and now it was maroon red?  Mom flashed dad a look, and several years later, I heard the "rest of the story."

 

RIP to your Dad!  All Dad's are special, and most people think theirs is the most special of all.

Just out of curiosity, South Buffalo's Spoonley the trainman?

[Fadingpain]

My condolences Chef Jim.  I lost my father in 2003.

 

When I was a really little kid, my dad took me to the children's public swimming pool where the T of Tonawanda aquatic and fitness center now is on Sheridan Drive.  He wanted me to get over the fear of going down the slide, and bribed me to do it with the promise of a cap gun I wanted!  (LOL).

 

So I walked up the ladder no problem, sat at the top, and he was telling me "You can do it" and all that...I was super scared, chickened out, and came back down the ladder. LOL!

 

He laughed and said "maybe next time," and bought me the gun on the ride home anyway.

 

 

 

 

[Chef Jim]

2 hours ago, bills_fan said:

My condolences Jim.  May he RIP.  Its terrific you had as much time as you did and that he was able to enjoy skiing until he was 89.  Gives me hope that I enjoy it that long.

 

Per your request...

 

Year was 1996 and I had just turned 21.  I went with my Dad when I was on home for break to a place I had never been...the old Boston Hotel in Boston, NY.  On this particular night it was 99 cents a dozen for clams, oysters and other nibbles but we were there for the clams and oysters.  We started with two dozen each of raw clams, raw oysters and steamed clams and ice cold pitcher of Labatts Blue.  It was the first time I was drinking in a pub with my Dad.  We were scarfing down plenty of clams and oysters and enjoying ice cold beer.  This was great!  We ended up polishing off 16 dozen total and washing it down with a couple pitchers.  Was a terrific memory for me because it felt like we crossed a line...a very good line together.

 

16 dozen!!  That's the difference between you and your dad and me and mine.  We would have downed two dozen oysters/clams and 16 pitchers of beer! 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

5 hours ago, Chef Jim said:

And no I don't need any advice.  I've already looked behind the couch. 

 

In lieu of prayers and sympathy please add your favorite anecdote about your dad.  I'll start

my dad made me shovel manure every spring into the 30 by 30 foot garden

 

so screw you.   

(is that what you wanted?) 

[Chef Jim]

1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said:

One more quick one @Chef Jim , you might get a kick out of this one. My mom died in 99, dad was 80 but still had an itch for female company and would hit  on anything with a skirt if they were nice to him. So the lady ( about 60 he estimated) at the dry cleaners was always very nice, he asked her out and they went on a few dates..and he kissed her goodnight first date and a little deeper kiss on the second date.

 

The third date they go to mall to eat, he walks into a department store sees a dress, and tells her he wants to see her in it and buy for her as he really likes it. Problem is, she can't go into the changing rooms cause she is a he..and this is when she decided to tell my dad!!!

 

Give the old buggar credit, he was 82 and laughed like hell that night when he told me on the phone!!!

 

Holy *****!!   BTW my dad, at 89, still had an eye for the ladies.  He had a younger lady friend the last several years of his life.  I absolutely inherited the horn dog gene.  

2 minutes ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

my dad made me shovel manure every spring into the 30 by 30 foot garden

 

so screw you.   

(is that what you wanted?) 

 

Hey it's not my fault your dad reminds you of sh*t.  

[BuffaloBud]

Godspeed to your dad Jim.

 

My dad took me on one of his business trips to Cleveland and Detroit when I was in junior high (I think).  Anyway, he gets us tickets to Indians and Tigers games.  Nice box seats.  I noticed that my dad gives the usher our tickets, the usher wipes down the seats, and my dad "slips" the usher a couple of bucks.  I didn't say anything - just noticed.  And I noticed other men, relative same age or older doing the same thing.  Later on I realize that he / they were tipping the usher for wiping down the seats.  Now when I get seats at my local AAA ballpark, Huntington Park, or other stadium where the usher wipes down your seat I make sure that I have a few bills available for the ushers.  I also observe others in my age range to younger that haven't a clue.

 

 

Edited November 1, 2018 by BuffaloBud

[Marv's Neighbor]

2 hours ago, MarkyMannn said:

Just out of curiosity, South Buffalo's Spoonley the trainman?

37 Choate St.?

[mead107]

Tough loss.  

[Chef Jim]

35 minutes ago, mead107 said:

Tough loss.  

 

Yeah but it was a damn excited game! 

[BillsPride12]

Sorry for your loss..

 

Last year the Sabres had a home and home series against the Penguins and me and my buddy took our fathers and his uncle down to Pittsburgh for the weekend.  The game in Pittsburgh was Saturday night and the game being played in Buffalo was on Friday night so we caught that game at a bar and then continued to check out a few more establishments.  We ended up finishing the night off at a place called The Smiling Moose that had a very attractive and busty bartender.  A total knockout! 

 As we're leaving the bar and trying to figure if we should walk it back to the hotel or go for the Uber confusion breaks out amongst the group and someone in the group says something about were leaving The Smiling Moose....without missing a beat my old man goes "The Smiling Moose?  I thought we were just at the Spectacular Jugs" 

[BuffaloBill]

Condolences. From the story would have loved more exposure to that sense of humor. 

[BUFFALOKIE]

Begs the question... did Pops really do time in Attica? He looked like a tough SOB!

 

I got stories about my old man, but I refuse to break his secrets.

6 hours ago, row_33 said:

At 7, the first time I got hit full square in the face with a hard-kicked soccer ball I cried and cried, they stopped the game.

 

My Dad stood there patiently on the sidelines, not really his usual thing, and afterwards said it was like a punch in the face, it's something you don't want and it hurts a bit but shrug it off and keep going.

 

Two weeks later I took another to the face and kept on player without a peep.  Teammates later told me they were impressed by taking it like that.

 

RIP for your father, I still have mine as he's in his mid-70s and doing fine, better than me.

 

 

As a man who has shrugged off many punches to the face (and delivered many) I like your Pops' analogy! It only hurts if you let it hurt!

 

No *****, I have a cut on my cheekbone and a black eye right now from getting headbutted while trying to break up a fight at a halloween party last weekend! I forgave the dude and we are hopefully better friends now. I have several similar friends.

Edited November 1, 2018 by BUFFALOKIE

[BUFFALOKIE]

6 hours ago, bills_fan said:

My condolences Jim.  May he RIP.  Its terrific you had as much time as you did and that he was able to enjoy skiing until he was 89.  Gives me hope that I enjoy it that long.

 

Per your request...

 

Year was 1996 and I had just turned 21.  I went with my Dad when I was on home for break to a place I had never been...the old Boston Hotel in Boston, NY.  On this particular night it was 99 cents a dozen for clams, oysters and other nibbles but we were there for the clams and oysters.  We started with two dozen each of raw clams, raw oysters and steamed clams and ice cold pitcher of Labatts Blue.  It was the first time I was drinking in a pub with my Dad.  We were scarfing down plenty of clams and oysters and enjoying ice cold beer.  This was great!  We ended up polishing off 16 dozen total and washing it down with a couple pitchers.  Was a terrific memory for me because it felt like we crossed a line...a very good line together.

Cool story, but gross, LOL!

[Augie]

I’m so sorry about your dad, but the Bills didn’t lose a fan, you just can’t hug him anymore.

 

My dad had some sort of speech impediment growing up and went regularly to some nuns who worked with him to get him to normal functioning, unless he was really nervous. (Resulting in one seriously devout Catholic!) As a result, I suppose, he grew up a little awkward socially. He was also a germaphobe. He did pretty well in life, but had just a few really close friends that I recall, and he hated anything dirty.

 

So there we are one New Years Eve with some of those few close friends, and the adults have had a few too many. Or more. Somehow they start chiding him about how he’s never had a picnic with his family. Another couple were avid campers, and they were appalled! My dad explains he doesn’t like flies crapping on his food, so picnics are out! They point out that tomorrow is New Years Day in Buffalo, and the flies are taking the day off. THAT is how the annual New Year Day picnic in a State Park got started! A bunch of hung over adults drinking bloody mary’s and grilling bacon and eggs, while they let kids too young to operate snowmobiles get lost in a state park! Ahh, good times!

 

Now....I’m petrified about what will be said about me, when the time comes!   ?

 

(Love the great memories theme, that’s the best approach, IMO) 

 

 

.

Edited November 1, 2018 by Augie

[SinceThe70s]

 

Condolences.

 

Dad was from Chicago, Mom from Boston, I'm born and bred Long Island. Dad's long gone, Mom's going strong.

 

Dad was a Bears fan, but not in a big way and/or being a long distance fan wasn't viable back then. 

 

I was left on my own to find a team. Giants and Jets had no star power.

 

Over the course of a few years my favorite team changed annually (Super Bowl winners/losers) until Dad took me aside and explained that you're not a fan unless you stick with one team through thick and thin, and you can't just be a front runner.

 

I took this to heart. Still couldn't go with the Jets or Giants, Buffalo was a New York team (they all were at the time) and I absolutely loved OJ.  A choice was made and despite the fact that the lean years far outweigh the good ones I have no regrets whatsoever and I have my Dad to thank for being a Bills fan and posting here today to express condolences to a dude that needs no advice.

[BUFFALOKIE]

1 hour ago, Chef Jim said:

 

Yeah but it was a damn excited game! 

I like your spirit bro!

1 hour ago, Chef Jim said:

 

Yeah but it was a damn excited game! 

I like your spirit bro! I just tipped one for Chef Jim's dad, and I will hug my dad tonight. The old man lives with me now, and bugs the ***** out a me, often, but I love him very much.

 

Thanks for this thread. Cheers to your dad!

[Gray Beard]

Sorry for your loss. 

 

When I was in fourth grade my mom took me to have my eyes examined because I was having trouble reading the blackboard in school. Not only was it confirmed that I was nearsighted, that’s also when we found out I was red-green colorblind. When we got home and told my dad, he was visibly relieved. He was quite artistic, and he couldn’t understand how I never learned to correctly identify colors. His comment still makes me smile, “all this time I just thought you were stupid.”