As most of you know, Dad had multiple health issues for many years. He was admitted in past years to the ICU numerous times and we were told numerous times that he would not survive. But he would not give up so easily and fought his way back so often that we dubbed him the "cat with nine lives". I believe that he felt such a responsibility to support and care for his family that he refused to abandon them. He lost his final battle on November 15, 2018 but not without a fight. I am reminded of a poem that Dylan Thomas wrote in 1947 as a plea to his father to fight for life. I believe that our Dad answered this plea valiantly many times. I hope you agree.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.