It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that I relay on that my Great-Uncle Gus has passed away. This great and wonderful man lived a full 100 years, and his stories will stay with those that loved him for the rest of their years. Gus was my father's uncle, my grandfather's brother, and my dear friend. He was the man from my childhood whose shoes I walked around in when I was a toddler, who brightened our Christmas' each year with Oranges and Grapefruits from his beloved Florida, and whose friendship and companionship brought more joy to my life that I could ever describe in words. He was a key to a part of my family history that I never knew about - his stories were abundant, informative and usually very entertaining. He earned two Master's Degrees, was a World War II Veteran, a school librarian, a volunteer at the New York Public Library during the summer, and a traveler to North Carolina, Tennessee, and various other places where his family and friends resided. He moved to Florida in 1938, and said he would never live anywhere else. He had a passion for reading (especially the daily paper), a love for sports (especially his Miami Dolphins and any good tennis tournament), and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge (especially when it came to gardening and growing plants and fruit and vegetables).
I could go on and on about him. But my most recent and favorite memories of him in the last few years are his times with Molly and his 100th Birthday party. They were the two things that truly made him smile, right up to the end.
Below are just a few pictures from the last few years...please enjoy.
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