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NFT: Farewell to a hardcore Giants fan: My Dad

Fort Mill Mike : 4/24/2019 7:49 pm
I was born bleeding Blue. My Dad didn’t prompt me, far as I can recall. In fact, I remember, when I was 7, our family watching and celebrating the Jets and (he was also a hardcore Yankees fan) Miracle Mets in ‘69. But man, did he live and die with his Giants and that passion was passed on to me at an early age.

Well my Dad, a former season ticket holder from the Bronx, died for real today. He was 83 — would have been 84 in June.

I so wished his last Giants season would have been better. The past couple years I was aware that season could be the last one he would see on this Earth. And it was shitty we lost so many close games and that the very last one we watched together (week 17. ‘Nuff said) ended the way it did.

But man, did we have some memorable times with the Giants. Even before the 2007 run, which really was the best one, there were so many great games. I was fortunate enough to go to a couple games with him, but we really had better times watching them at home, or for a couple of years, including the 2011 run, in a bar with a group I started.

Of course we had great times that didn’t include watching the Giants, including lots of fishing, but our Giants bond will probably be the thing that lingers most. I know many BBIers can relate.

His name was Mel. He did his bit in the Army in the 50s, post Korea Cold War in Germany. Elvis left the day he arrived. He was in a tank crew (3rd Army, I think) and only once did he think a shooting war might break out when the Soviets mobilized. He was a good guy who worked hard,
Liked his scotch and smokes and besides 2 kids, he leaves behind his second wife, my stepmom, with whom he has been in a loving marriage for over 40 years. Oh, she’s a huge Giants fan, too. I shared those seasons with her, too.

Well that’s about it. Thanks for reading this.
My condolences  
tyrik13 : 4/24/2019 7:52 pm : link
Sir, May he rest in blissful peace
RIP  
Route 9 : 4/24/2019 7:55 pm : link
...
Very Sorry for your loss  
steve in ky : 4/24/2019 7:55 pm : link
Sounds like he was a great dad
Prayers to you and your family  
Rick in Dallas : 4/24/2019 7:56 pm : link
May he RIP
I'm so sorry for you loss  
bigbb : 4/24/2019 7:57 pm : link
Keep the memories alive
Rip
My  
dorgan : 4/24/2019 7:57 pm : link
Condolences to you and yours.
Sorry to hear  
Oscar : 4/24/2019 7:58 pm : link
Sounds like you got to have a lot of quality time with him which is the most important thing.
Mike...  
FatMan in Charlotte : 4/24/2019 8:00 pm : link
saw you posted that earlier today.

Sorry to hear of Mel's passing.

I am sorry for your loss.  
Giant John : 4/24/2019 8:01 pm : link
It’s not easy. Prayers.
Mike, my sincere condolences.  
Beezer : 4/24/2019 8:01 pm : link
Sounds like Mel and my pop, Bobby J, had a lot in common, including age range, city boys, their service to our country, and their love of Big Blue.

I lost my Dad in May 2005 and shared so many great Giants (and other) experiences/memories. I think of Dad every day and even more so in weeks like this - he was a draft junkie, as well.

All my best.
I  
AcidTest : 4/24/2019 8:03 pm : link
am very sorry for your loss. Your father was obviously a great man. RIP. God bless. Prayers to him and everyone in your family.
Sorry for your loss.  
smshmth8690 : 4/24/2019 8:03 pm : link
.
R.I.P. Mel  
Britt in VA : 4/24/2019 8:04 pm : link
Godspeed.

Sorry for the loss of your dad, sounds like a good guy and you guys had some great times together.
So sad  
Dave in Buffalo : 4/24/2019 8:06 pm : link
my condolences
sorry to hear of your dad's passing.  
gidiefor : Mod : 4/24/2019 8:07 pm : link
May your best memories of your dad sustain you in this time of grief.
Sorry to hear  
UConn4523 : 4/24/2019 8:08 pm : link
my condolences
Mike I remember meeting your dad  
TommytheElephant : 4/24/2019 8:08 pm : link
When we all tailgated for the giants panthers game
JIC, FMIC were there too.

Very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family
Sorry for your loss  
montanagiant : 4/24/2019 8:19 pm : link
Sounds like he raised a good son
sorry for your loss, your Dad sounds like a great man  
mfsd : 4/24/2019 8:20 pm : link
Giants football brings back a lot of fond memories of my old man, part of what makes being a fan so great, sharing it with our loved ones.
Sorry to hear about your Dad  
eric2425ny : 4/24/2019 8:26 pm : link
my condolences to you and your family.
So sorry for your loss  
Steve L : 4/24/2019 8:29 pm : link
Peace and love to you and your family.
Sorry for your loss.  
Watson : 4/24/2019 8:31 pm : link
Sounds like your Dad was a really great guy.
...  
christian : 4/24/2019 8:33 pm : link
I'm really sorry to hear Mike, blessings to your family man.
RE: Mike...  
Fort Mill Mike : 4/24/2019 8:33 pm : link
In comment 14402539 FatMan in Charlotte said:
Quote:
saw you posted that earlier today.

Sorry to hear of Mel's passing.


Thank you, brother. Yeah, not a crisp game, but we won! B-Jac scores from inside the 10, I think and the passing highlight was a deep sideline pass from 10 to 17, setting up another score. He had fun at the tailgate. Don’t remember if they were yours or not, but I remember we had some killer brats. And you took care of our chairs for us, lol.
RE: Mike I remember meeting your dad  
Fort Mill Mike : 4/24/2019 8:35 pm : link
In comment 14402556 TommytheElephant said:
Quote:
When we all tailgated for the giants panthers game
JIC, FMIC were there too.

Very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family


Thank you! Yes, it was a great crowd. I forgot - did you guys ever find a good rib joint? :)
My sincere condolences on your Dad's passing.  
ChathamMark : 4/24/2019 8:40 pm : link
Think a lot of us on here got our Giants genes from their family. My Dad has been gone 40 years now, but the fondest memory is him yelling at the small black and white TV with a hanger as the antennae during those Giants games. (I inherited the yelling..)
Fort Mill Mike  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 4/24/2019 8:41 pm : link
I haven't seen you post in quite some time. I am sorry it had to be under these circumstances. My condolences to you and your family.
Thank you, everyone  
Fort Mill Mike : 4/24/2019 8:42 pm : link
I really appreciate your kind words and warm thoughts. My Dad taught me much. One of the best things was not taking a bad Giants season too hard. He’d always remind me of the wilderness years and that eventually, they’ll be good again. He also really liked OBJ and was bummed about the trade. But, he loved Barkley and was glad we’d be set at RB for years. Big fan of Tiki, too, and respected and appreciated Eli, but was hoping the Giants would have the heir apparent by 2020.
RE: My sincere condolences on your Dad's passing.  
Fort Mill Mike : 4/24/2019 8:46 pm : link
In comment 14402610 ChathamMark said:
Quote:
Think a lot of us on here got our Giants genes from their family. My Dad has been gone 40 years now, but the fondest memory is him yelling at the small black and white TV with a hanger as the antennae during those Giants games. (I inherited the yelling..)


LOL! I remember when my dad installed a directional antenna so we could pull in the Connecticut signal (we lived near LI Sound) which gave a much better signal. We were both afraid of heights and working on the roof was an adventurous labor of love, lol.
RE: Fort Mill Mike  
Fort Mill Mike : 4/24/2019 8:53 pm : link
In comment 14402611 Eric from BBI said:
Quote:
I haven't seen you post in quite some time. I am sorry it had to be under these circumstances. My condolences to you and your family.


Thank you, Eric :) I don’t think my dad ever registered, but I know he visited the site. I always sent him links and usually we talked about them. And with all the great posters here, I’ve learned to pick my spots, but I’d like to be more active. Maybe even starting with the draft! My Dad wasn’t sure who he wanted at No. 6, but definitely wants us to go defense and then O-line at 17 or in round 2.
Sorry for you and your family's loss.  
Dankbeerman : 4/24/2019 9:00 pm : link
Im a 3rd generation Giants fan who aquired the blue gene from my father who got it from his and have properly passed it on to my son. Its a bond Im proud of as I am sure you are.

I cant imagine your pain and hope you find your peace with it in time.
So sorry for your loss Mike. When I was growing up in New England  
Blue21 : 4/24/2019 9:02 pm : link
there was no New England Patriots. My Dad and I watched the Giants on Sunday. Back then they were New England'd team too believe it or not. I stayed loyal to the Giants even after the Boston Patriots started up in the old AFL and into the merger with the NFL. It really was because of him I'm a Giants fan. Of course my father passed away a few years ago. Again, so sorry for your loss.
Please accept my condolences,  
BlueLou'sBack : 4/24/2019 9:06 pm : link
but also be thankful for what you had as a family, and realize despite the last 7 years he must've enjoyed the way TC got the best out of Eli and the 2007 and 2011 rides to the SB. SPECIAL TIMES...

I try to pass my love for the sport and the GIANTS to my daughters as best I can, but there's no forcing it. Cool you grew up with it!
My condolences..  
rnargi : 4/24/2019 9:09 pm : link
...peace to you and your family.
May his memory be a blessing  
PhilSimms15 : 4/24/2019 9:09 pm : link
And May there be an 80-inch screen up there to continue to root on Big Blue.
Mike  
dune69 : 4/24/2019 9:12 pm : link
so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a true fan and he sounds like a special man. Prayers to you and your family.
Losing a parent is a blow  
Poktown Pete : 4/24/2019 9:16 pm : link
Your dad will never be gone though as he'll always be in your heart.
Sorry for your loss  
DC Gmen Fan : 4/24/2019 9:16 pm : link
He will be cheering along side you from up there
Prayed for you and your family.  
FStubbs : 4/24/2019 9:19 pm : link
.
Sorry for your loss, Mike  
JohnF : 4/24/2019 9:25 pm : link
Prayers for you and your family, and thanks to your Dad for his service.
RIP to your Dad and condolences to you, your family and friends  
Ira : 4/24/2019 9:26 pm : link
.
Very sorry for your loss, Mike.  
yatqb : 4/24/2019 9:39 pm : link
Condolences to you and your family.
Condolences from our family to yours...  
Torrag : 4/24/2019 9:41 pm : link
...may he RIP.
So sorry for your loss  
MadPlaid : 4/24/2019 9:47 pm : link
RIP
Here’s to your dad, then!  
exiled : 4/24/2019 9:49 pm : link
It’s hokey, but football really is family. And some of those Giants games with your dad will be the best memories you’ll ever have.

Take care of yourself, Mike.
Sorry  
noro9 : 4/24/2019 10:04 pm : link
For your loss
Sorry for your loss, Mike.  
PetesHereNow : 4/24/2019 10:20 pm : link
I know how special the Giants can be between father and son.
Mike  
Marty866b : 4/24/2019 10:34 pm : link
Sorry for your loss and may you dad R.I.P.
Mike  
Eric from BBI : Admin : 4/24/2019 11:23 pm : link
Check your e-mail.
Mike - not to Miller the thread  
TommytheElephant : 4/25/2019 4:00 am : link
But we went to boardwalk Billy’s (I still remember)

Nice hearing from you again but to echo Eric’s sentiments - sorry it was under these circumstances
Condolences  
pa_giant_fan : 4/25/2019 6:14 am : link
So sorry to hear, may he RIP
RIP Mel  
Lines of Scrimmage : 4/25/2019 6:33 am : link
Mike, my sincere condolences to you and your family. Sounds like your Dad was a great guy and you shared many great memories together.
Sorry for your loss  
SFGFNCGiantsFan : 4/25/2019 7:15 am : link
Mike. Thoughts & prayers to you & your family.
Sounds like a great dad  
idiotsavant : 4/25/2019 7:20 am : link
Be thankful for the fishing, the sharing of sports moments and all the other stuff.
RIP  
Jay in Toronto : 4/25/2019 7:21 am : link
sounds like you have some wonderful memories to treasure and honor.
Cheers to your Dad on a good life  
weeg in the bronx : 4/25/2019 8:01 am : link
Bless you and the family
peace  
Hilary : 4/25/2019 3:04 pm : link
May he rest in peace.
God bless you and your family, Mike  
Greg from LI : 4/25/2019 3:06 pm : link
and may your father rest peacefully.
peace to you and your family  
Platos : 4/25/2019 3:08 pm : link
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