...eulogy...

Barring bloated words, a eulogy is things we say to comfort and encourage ourselves at the passing of a friend or family member.  If the departed can be called both, that is comforting and encouraging, and is worthy of being talked about.

A man of quiet faith, my Uncle Howard Burke's high ideals had less to do with "do's and don'ts" and more to do with personal connection, lifting one's spirit, and enjoying the simple things in life.  An avid boater and fisherman, his genius was in "hooking" the sale and keeping his customers pleased and content.  A lover of family, those skills had their priority in creating the best results with his wife, children, grand-children, and extended family.  The seventh of ten siblings, he is beloved of everyone of them, and was a pride and joy to his parents.

The only male in a house of three females, his gentleness and sense of humor served him well in the raising of his two daughters and in his devotion to his wife.  To his grand-children he was the adored and esteemed patriarch, as was his father before him.  To his nieces and nephews he was and forever will remain Uncle Howie, fisherman extraordinaire, safe sounding block, and all around fun guy!  Never was there any pretense in his manner, foreboding, or austerity.  As the Gospel of Christ bids all, "Come as you are," Howard Burke was accepting of everyone just the same.  His quirkiness of finding the joy in all of life, even in the last days of his life, has made him hallowed among all that knew him.  We should all wish the same may be said of of us.

"Because I live, You will live also."  -Jesus of Nazareth