Crossbow Park

My grandfather passed away in April of last year. It was extremely unexpected and still sometimes hard to think about. But he had accomplished many great things before he left this earth. One of his biggest projects was helping to pass no smoking bans in Arizona, he was extremely successful in doing this! Thanks to him, none of his 12 grandchildren will have to go into a restaurant and smell cigarette smoke, he really wanted to make things better for everyone!

He was very loving and kind, but he did it in his own way. He would do anything he could to serve, but he never let anyone know what he was doing. He loved planes and even had a license. He would take friends and family to breakfast at small local airports. He chose his houses based on the fact that there were airports close by.

My entire life, he did what he could to share his love with us. One of his favorite things to do as we got in the car after family parties was to throw money in the car. For the most part it was the change he grabbed off his dresser, occasionally there would be a $1 or $5 that would get tossed in. I am not sure what caused this, but he always did it!

This past Saturday one of his biggest projects was completed. A few years ago, my grandparents moved into a newly developed area. Shortly after moving there a park was put into construction. The Home Owners Association announced that it would be named Canal Park. My grandpa didn't think this was a good name for a park, so he got to work. He petitioned for the name to be changed to Crossbow Park. After trying for months, and talking to people in the community about changing the name, the HOA decided they would agree. Unfortunately, he had already passed when the made the final decisions. My grandmother received a call asking what they could do in the park to remember him. My grandma told them a plane would be good, he didn't like a lot of attention. They put a toy plane, and a plaque in the park just for him. Saturday as the park was dedicated, they unveiled the plane. My grandmother was given roses, and had all the family, there to support her. Here are a few pictures to show what a great man he was!

Here is the plaque remembering him


Here is my grandma and her sister with grandpa's plane


This is the family in Maine, the cabin is my dad's grandparent's, but he love spending time with us here!


All the grandkids sang Families Can Be Together Forever, here we are practicing before, we were missing Caleb who was on his was to Madagascar, and Asa who was 6 months and just wanted mom

Thanks Becky, I took the picture from your blog!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be at the park with everyone, but I heard it was a great time, one grandpa would have loved!