My Dad, My Mentor My father was good at everything he did. He had exceptional mechanical abilities. He was truly a jack of all trades and master of all that he did. I can recall from my earliest memories of being by his side learning whatever he was doing, whether it be repairing a car to plumbing to electrical. My father has a saying – with a torch and a welding machine you could do anything. And as such my father was a certified welder among other things. His early career included electronics. That seems to have rubbed off on me too. When his family came along, he chose to be an iron worker because it earned more, and he wanted nothing more than to provide a comfortable life for his wife and children. I can say that it is mission accomplished. In my eyes, my father could do or build anything he wanted to. With his torch and welding machine. Not too long ago, he was helping me fix my car. I had to remove the steering wheel and needed a special tool that I did not have. He studied the diagrams and thought a little and said ‘come on, we can build something that will work just as well’. And so off into his garage we went, grabbing something from here, something from there and after awhile I had the steering wheel off. That’s the way he was, always teaching me to find a solution. My father always told me that with a torch and a welding machine you can do anything. But I now know that a torch and welding machine cannot bring my father back to me. I don’t show my emotions very well, none of us in my family do. I sometimes think we were really born British because every Italian that I know is really emotional. I very rarely ever told my father how much I loved him. I do so now – Dad, I love you. Losing you has ripped a piece of my heart and the pain is fierce. Rest in peace dad, until we can hug each other again. Your Son, Pat