A Difficult Task, Indeed

Earlier today, I received a telephone call from my father advising me that his best friend, Ken Reagan had died this morning. Ken’s family, his priest and my father were all there when he smiled and took his last breath. I doubt there is anyone he would want there more than my dad.

Not a surprise, but sad nontheless.

Friends for almost forty two years, they were closer than most brothers. I have often marveled at the depth of their devotion and affection for each other….and sometimes I’m jealous. After my father, Ken was probably the most significant, male influence in my life. He was a hero, rescuing three children from a house fire in 1976 and then working feverishly to save them. He never wanted to discuss it, because they eventually died, but he risked his life to save theirs.

The fire chief and the police chief…what a story their lives have been.

More will follow, but my father has asked me to write the eulogy that he will give at the funeral. It will be one of the most difficult tasks I have ever been given. I will need all the time I would normally use for the blog to write and refine the eulogy.

I also have to decide if I will be able to get to NJ for the funeral, but I doubt I will be able to pull it off….

I’ll be back online when I can.

I am reminded of the shortest sentence in the Bible…”Jesus wept”.

Thanks for understanding.

Some photos…..

Memorial Day, 1976, Warren Police Headquarters, before the parade. From left: Ken Reagan, Dad, Carl Seneca and the late, Father Jim Russell. This picture is one of my most precious possessions. Ken referred to these as the “Camelot Years”

Ken with me at my parent’s 50th anniversary party in 2004.

Dad & Ken (already blind) out for their Saturday morning coffee. (Nov. 2008)

I believe this is the last photo I took of the two of them, May, 2009.