His spirit is truly larger than life and thankfully will continue to live in us all!

There are countless stories through the years, I don't know which to choose from.

I was his Jessinka. His first grandchild. The one who made him a dedo for the very first time. The one who showed him how to love in a whole new way. I think because of that we had a special bond.

I will never forget bringing my daughter to meet him for the first time, she was about two weeks old. He grabbed her with the strength of a much younger man. And smiled that same exact smile he used when he looked at me. He turned to my mom with tears in his eyes and said isn't being a grandparent the best feeling in the world. Now my mother got to experience what he had for so many years.

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During any conversation, political chatter, religious debates, family screaming matches - he would all of a sudden tell a joke that had something to do with the subject matter. Most were so not even funny but the best part was, he would get to the finish line and be the first one to laugh. He always amused himself! What really always cracked me up the most was that my grandmother would get annoyed because it was either inappropriate, not the right time or told it a handful of times before. Watching their interaction always made me smile/laugh.

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As a young girl, growing up in their home in Elmhurst, we spent a lot of time together. Much of that time was at The Flushing Meadow Zoo. My grandfather always loved the fresh air and animals. Prior to leaving the house we used to take stale bread. Once we left the house, we would always pass by the store to buy fresh bread and sugar cubes, to feed the ducks and horses.  My grandfather used to say, this is a secret, you cant tell babi. And of course I would shake my head and be sworn to secrecy. After a fun-filled day we would find our way back home and as soon as the door opened I would climb up the stairs and say, babi, dedo bought fresh bread for the animals. She would shake her head and laugh. It became an on going joke through the years.

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