Pilot's Blog

My best friend's father passed away this week. He was 81 years old. I called him Ti George, Ti (pronounced tee) meaning "uncle" in portuguese. I wasn't able to attend his funeral on Monday because I was flying all over the place. Ti George's life was extremely well lived. If a man can be measured by the sheer number of people paying tribute to him, then Ti George was a well loved and great man indeed. If the love and happiness shared by his five adult children and slew of grandchildren are any indication, then Ti George and his tireless wife Delores have made this world a much better place during their 50+ year marriage.

Ti George and his family have been in the same country house near my home airport for my entire life. When I was learning to fly 25 years ago, and as recently as yesterday, I would often make a low pass over the house just to say HI and see what they all were up to. Many times I would see Ti George standing outside his shop, waving (or was he shaking his fist?) at me as I rocked the wings.

Ti George was a "cool" dad who would stop and hang out with a bunch of teenage boys on his way into the house. His positive attitude and great story telling ability has been handed down to not only his kids, but also his grandkids. The last thing I ever said to Ti George was that I loved him, and through his pain he smiled and said he loved me too. Man, am I glad I got that opportunity.