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snakebit31

My Father

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by
snakebit31
, 11-05-2011 at 10:00 AM (2019 Views)
On Monday, October 31st, I lost my dad. That day also happened to be my birthday. I am grateful he did not suffer, in fact, he died instantly from a ruptured brain aneurysm.

My dad was a real car guy. He has a 1946 Mercury Coupe that is in the middle of it's third restoration. He has owned the car since 1961.
He retired from Ford at the age of 53. He started out on the line as a young man, working his way into and up management. He was the Quality Control Manager at the St. Thomas Assembly plant in St. Thomas, Ontario when it opened in 1967, then transferred to the Wixom plant, outside of Detroit. In 1982, transferred back to the Norfolk plant where he started, retiring as Production Manager. Ford was good to my family, and I will always remeber that.

One of the perks he enjoyed was driving a new car every year. In 1972, he chose a yellow Pantera for the year. Much to my surprise, he allowed me to drive it to my senior prom. All he said was "be safe, and don't wrap it around a tree."

I completed my roadster around the time of his 70th birthday. Although it was a bit loud for him, I can still the smile on his face when we launched for his first ride in it. He never rode in it again, but always asked about it. I'm sorry he did not see the completion of my coupe.

We had a very simple graveside ceremony at a small country church my parents are members of. The weather was perfect, with a Naval Honor Guard. Two corpsmen at the casket, and a bugler playing taps. The flag was then folded and presented to my Mother.

It all seems so surreal. My goal now is to finish the coupe, then get the Mercury back on the road. He wanted my son to have it, and drive it in 2046, when it's 100 years old.

Rest in peace, Robert E Twine, Sr.
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Comments

  1. terrygandy's Avatar
    Condolences to you and your family. What a great relationship you had with your father.
  2. Summeroflove's Avatar
    I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I lost mine last year, and it's in direct tribute to him that I'm about to begin my own FFR journey.

    My wish for you and for your family are for fair skies and a following sea.
  3. Tpa65cpe's Avatar
    My condolences to you and your family. That is how my father passed also the only difference was I was 17 at the time. He was a mechanic all of his life and my fondest memories of him was when we would work on a project together. When you work on your projects try to include your son or grandson and Honor his love for the American automobile and pass any stories you remember to them. Thus you keep his memory alive for future generations. Again my most heartfelt condolences TPA65CPE!!
  4. keys2heaven's Avatar
    My heartfelt condolences on your loss. I lost my mother as well to a ruptured brain aneurysm as a result of her cancer treatment in 1997. It will be 15 years this coming January and it's still as surreal today as it was back then. But, I've always believed that you never truly lose someone as long as you keep their memory alive. And what a blessing to be able to share with your son, memories of your father as the two of you work on the project he wanted him to have. I have no doubt that if your son is driving it in 2046, your dad will be in the passenger seat enjoying it with him.
  5. David Hodgkins's Avatar
    I'm very sorry for your loss. Unfortunately I went through the same type of thing this summer when I lost my Mom. It sounds like you had a great relationship with your Dad, and the emptyness isn't something we ever get to fill; we just learn to live with it. But you have some great memories I'm sure and those will continue to bring a smile when you think of him.

    Blessings brother,

FFMetal

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