Here are the basics of the story I alluded to.

Missing South Miami-Dade man found dead Tue Jan 6, 2009 more...

SOUTH MIAMI-DADEPolice hunt for missing South-Dade man, 89, Georg Marewski, 89, suffers from memory loss and could be lost in the agricultural community west of Homestead. Tue Jan 6, 2009 more...

Elderly man disappears from South Miami-Dade home Mon Jan 5, 2009 more...


Last night I went to a tribute to the mans life. The family offered this as opposed to a traditional funeral. Two of his daughters flew in from Maryland where Georg had lived most of his life in the U.S. He was German immigrant who had come here at a young age. He was a talented woodworker, small stage performer and director. The last few years of his life were affected by age. Alzheimers and loss of muscle control had been taking it's toll. He no longer wanted to be a burden on his family, so he went for a walk. It was a walk that he had planned with no return.
At his third daughters farm, where he had lived for the past two years they held a dinner and testimonial to his life. Why I bring this up is because it was one of the most touching and memorable good byes I have ever witnessed.
The event took place on a 35 acre organic fruit and vegatable farm. In the center of the property is a huge open air kitchen with roof to protect from the elements. It is at least a 60' x 60' pad. 50 or 60 of the families friends had gathered to honor him and share their good wishes. On the side of the kitchen, under a canopy, they had set up the old mans bed. To the right of the bed were pictures of this mans travels through life. On the bed were some of his favorite things. Two watches that he wore simultaniously that he would never be late for anything. A pair of walking boots, socks, lederhosen, several hats. and a dozen harmonicas. They were layed out as he might wear them. Light music played in the background as this group laughed and remembered. They ate organic foods and drank wine. It was a true celebration of a mans life and his contribution to it. I'm sure my words don't do justice to what this event truly represented, but I hope you get an idea of what I shared with this fine family. I'm sure he would have been proud.

Sounds like a great tribute to a hard working man. Very unfortunate what the Alzheimer's does to people. My grandpa was affected very heavily by it as were some others we know. Hopefully one day they'll find a cure.

Matthew

Sounds like a phenomenal and fitting tribute. Godspeed, Georg.

Truly awesome. Sounds like a great man with a great family, and good friends.
We could only be so fortunate.
Peace to him.

Man, that sounds awesome! A celebration of life, more than a mourning of one's passing. That's the way to do it.


My wife's step-father passed away unexpectedly in a construction accident. His wish was to not have any ceremony. No church service. No funeral of any kind. I thought that was the way I'd like to do it. I didn't want to be a burden to any of my family. Didn't want folks spending time and money traveling all over the place.

But I did not realize that while I thought I was thinking of "them", it was actually a rather selfish decision.

My wife and her family did all end up traveling to a central location, just to be together, but there was no closure for them. They all went home feeling like something was left undone.

That changed my mind on the subject, and I was wondering what I might request instead of nothing.

Tommy, what you shared above sounds like the perfect way to do it. Allow folks to have closure, but enjoy the event and remember the life of the one who is gone.

That is wonderful. A very good way to remember how one touched your life and those around you.