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OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio – “Well done good and faithful servant . . . Enter into the joy of your master.”
I have read that Matthew 25:23 verse a few times in my life. This week, however, the meaning struck me with more force and understanding.
Our Bob battled pancreatic cancer for 26 months. That courageous fight ended Dec. 9. And he fought to the very end. He loved life. You could see that by the way he used the gifts God gave him.
He and his younger sister Kim lost their dad to a massive heart attack at the age of 37. Bob was 13 l/2 years old. A few years ago Bob told me he never expected to live beyond 37. Well, he made it to 70.
He received several phone and Facetime calls and visits during the last three days of his life. People calling to thank him for being the person God created him to be. He was shocked. He said he did not know he made that much of an impression on the callers – or anyone.
He was generous of his time and money. He helped family and friends when they found themselves in a bind in fixing a car or household item. He drove over to their house with a needed power washer or wrench they didn’t have. He offered fatherly support when a young relative didn’t have that in his or her life at one time or another. He created his own company when he found himself without a job but a young family to support. Bob also helped establish another business with two of my brothers when that opportunity arose.
His love for our Catholic faith grew each year, especially after making a Journey retreat at St. Mary of the Falls where he met men who listened to Jesus’ call to follow him.
He and my dad had a very special bond. He learned so much from him. I can’t tell you how many times after my dad’s passing, Bob would look up to the heavens and say, “Dad, what should I do?” Within a few minutes, he had the answer.
He drove miles to visit our Jessie and Chip at college to watch soccer matches and swim meets or fix a car that needed some mechanical work on it. He helped them build outdoor barbecue kitchens or pick up a piece of farm equipment when those opportunities arose.
His love for his four grandchildren, Jacoby, Brennan, Adelyn and Avery was overwhelming. He wanted to be with them as much as he could, even leaving a baseball game in Medina and heading to the Southwest General Health Center’s ER when his body told him he needed to seek medical help.
We moved into this community in the last 1970s. One year the Village Green gazebo was not decorated for Christmas. Bob purchased lights. We hung them around the gazebo. We also wrapped boxes to look like presents and placed them under the tree that was inside the gazebo. Bob saw a need and he filled it.
Bob loved Christmas, hanging outdoor lights at our homes, putting a red bulb on an outdoor lighted deer to make him Rudolph and placing a large angel in front of one of the windows. He loved giving gifts. What better way to remember him than to live each Advent and Christmas season thinking of him.
I thank God every day he brought Bob into my life and those of our children, grandchildren, family and friends.
We also thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Southwest General Health Center and the UH Seidman Cancer Center at that location for the amazing and loving care they gave him in helping him love life longer than many with this cancer. A special thank you also to the Thomas P. Perciak Family Residential Hospice – Southwest General for caring for him during his final hours.
Yes, Bob. You are a good and faithful servant. While our master may have called you into his joy – a bit earlier than we preferred – we are so grateful and blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you for using those precious talents in showing us how to live a humble, blessed life.
Holiday lights: The competition is on!
The Olmsted Chamber of Commerce’s Bright Light Battle Holiday Light Competition is now running through Dec. 30.
There are 14 contestants throughout Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township competing for the top prizes and bragging rights in having the best decked out light display.
Their addresses are 27216 Cook Road, 26936 Southwood Lane, 7272 Lewis Road, 8099 Columbia Road, 25970 Bagley Road, 8262 Bradfords Gate, 8775 Yellowstone Parkway, 9295 Driftwood Drive, 25660 Bronson Street, 9030 Shady Elm Lane, 9280 Preserve Way, 27182 Perry Circle, 9701 Maurer Drive and 9574 Taberna Lane.
The chamber has a map of each address at olmstedchamber.org. You also go to its website to vote for your favorite display.
Enjoy the ride in viewing each display but please be careful driving since this competition has generated more traffic during the holiday season.
Saturday Santa drive: It’s time to greet Santa Claus this Saturday (Dec. 16) as he rides throughout Olmsted Falls waving and greeting families along the way.
The ride begins at the Falls Point Development pool on Falls Points Drive. It then turns left on Falls Pointe Drive, left on Lakeview, right on Falls Pointe Drive, right on Schady, right on Usher, left on Redwood, right on Locust, left on Fernwood and left on Sprague.
It then turns left on Douglas Lane, left on Chandlers Lane, right on Sugarbush, left on Wainwright, right on Grist Mill Run, left on Sawmill Bend, right on Tannery Way, right on Sprague, right on Lindbergh Boulevard, left on Scott Boulevard, right on Briarwood and left on Lindbergh Boulevard.
It finishes up by turning right on Oakview, left on Westlawn, left on West, right on Forest View, right on West, left on Bagley, right on Mapleway, left on Cranage, right on Fitch, right on Cook, right on Columbia, right on Water Street, left on Brookside, right on Elm and ending at the Sprenger Health Care Village of the Falls.
His travels may be a bit longer, depending on the traffic and weather. A special thanks to the city in providing this fun event for those of all ages.
Holiday ham: Dec. 15 is the final day to order your holiday HoneyBaked ham or turkey through the Olmsted Falls High School Swim Team at ofathleticboosters.org/shop.
Order pickup is from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 23 at the high school lobby/café.
Bulldog memorabilia: The Olmsted Falls Alumni Association now houses various plaques and memorabilia. They have been accumulated over the years. The association will have a Memorabilia Distribution event of some of these items Dec. 28 through the 30.
Each of the items has been photographed. New boards and plaques were made. They are proudly displayed at the Olmsted Falls High School. They include: Olmsted Falls Alumni Hall of Fame plaques, Southwestern Conference Most Valuable Player and/or All Ohio plaques and team plaques. The group wants to ensure these items are distributed to those individuals or their families.
The Alumni Association also has several extra copies of yearbooks dating from 1948 through 2004 that will be available for sale during this event. The yearbooks are $10 each and may be purchased with cash or Venmo, only.
For a complete list of available plaques and yearbooks, go to https://bit.ly/46MXFhj.
This distribution event will be in the high school cafeteria from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 28 and 29 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 30
Information, please: To include news, tidbits, honors or activities in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, contact Joanne DuMound at jdumound@yahoo.com. She is also on Twitter, @JoanneDuMound. The column’s online version at cleveland.com/olmsted has direct links for many news items.
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