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Anastasia
climber
InLOVEwithAris.
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 1, 2012 - 12:27pm PT
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My Dad's memorial is tomorrow.
Dad was a great man. He smuggled weapons during Work War II through German lines when he was only a kid. He went to work at 14 to support his family. Joined the merchant marines at 15 after lying about his age. Left Greece, traveled the world and lead a rebellion on his last ship because of dangerous working conditions including being fed spoiled food. Forced the ship to port in the U.S. and helped the port authorities build a case against his Captain. Since his Captain reported him as a Communist to Greece in retaliation and my Dad was facing at least ten years in jail when he returned to Greece, (it was in the 1950's) he jumped ship.
He then worked construction. Ended up being the foreman despite being young, not speaking the language correctly, etc. Dad then worked on sky risers as a painter. When his uncle fell to his death on one of their jobs, he moved west. He settled in California and had many more adventures. One of them was being a security guard at UCSB when some hippies went to burn down the recruiting office. (It was during the Vietnam Conflict.) Dad faced them off, told them they had to wait until he was not on duty. As long as he was working, nothing was going to get damaged. The group left him alone and did it after his shift.
He then went to Greece after receiving his American Citizenship which gave him immunity from his old Captain's charges, he met my mom, married her and had two kids. He then was very busy being a very faithful and dependable husband. He took care of my Mom after she got sick, never thought of doing anything else despite other women always hitting on him. Even when my mom was bed ridden, he stood by her side. Plus my mom never had a bed sore despite being trapped in that bed for over five years. Dad took care of her that well. During that time he sent both of us to college, taught me my physics despite having a fourth grade education himself. Yes, he was that smart. (His schooling was interrupted by the Germans, I always wondered who he would have been if he had a chance to be educated.)
I am so going to miss him.
RIP Costadino Petros Frangos
When God made you, he made greatness. I am so lucky to have been raised by you. I will see you on the other side. Please give mom a kiss, hug Lass, and let everyone know I have not forgotten them.
Sending LOVE, Anastasia
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Wow. That is so awesome Anastasia.
What a beautiful and loving tribute. And thanks to Neebee for a beautiful painting!
Your Daddy is proud of you too, I'm certain.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Thanks for sharing Anastasia. He was a wonderful man who lives on through your and your baby.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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condolences
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Thanks for sharing your story, very inspiring. Your father was a great man.
edit: complements on the picture too, I thought it was a photo it was so good!
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Thanks for sharing that. Your Dad seems like a great man.
My Grandfathers memorial is tomorrow too.
Positive thoughts beamed your way.
Brandon
When God made you, he made greatness. I am so lucky to have been raised by you. I will see you on the other side. Please give mom a kiss, hug Lass, and let everyone know I have not forgotten them.
That brought a tear to my eye.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Wonderful tribute Anastasia, I'm sure you added a lot of happiness to his life.
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Anastasia
climber
InLOVEwithAris.
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 1, 2012 - 01:13pm PT
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Thanks folks... I am trying, but I am not even close to living life as well as my Dad. Luckily... Well, let me say it this way... The main reason Dad liked Bill is because they had very similar traits. (I married my Dad.) They enjoyed their time together like two best friends. Dad even said Bill was "The Son." It was a very good mix.
The last few months of my Dad's life, Bill was taking care of him because they enjoyed their time together. It was a good end, despite my feelings of great loss... Dad left this life with dignity and grace.
Thanks Bill for making good things happen, enabling my Dad to see his grandson, allowing Dad to die at home and taking care of me so I am not a big mess.
Now it's Aristides time to shine. The kid sure as heck has some big shoes to fill.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Sorry to hear of your loss of him. Last Sunday was the 35th anniversary of my father's death, and I still miss him, even though I remember him with happiness.
I'm glad your father got to see Aristides. I'm sure the two gave each other great joy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
John
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Gunkie
Trad climber
East Coast US
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Very sorry for your loss. I hope my kids love me that much.
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Barbarian
Trad climber
New and Bionic too!
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You have very reason to be proud. Your father lived a full life with many accomplishments. His love for family and country is evident. Celebrate that life and let your love for him last forever.
I only regret that I did not get the chance to meet him.
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Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
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Anastasia,
It's inspirational for me to hear this talk of your father and his travels.
I am glad that his life led to you coming into being.
My condolences,
Rob
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Fletcher
Trad climber
Fumbling towards stone
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Gosh, as I was reading this, I was thinking the whole time what eKat naturally noted above: keeping the magic alive. You dad certainly did that and now it is your turn to really take this on fully. You're already doing this and have been doing it for quite a while, so I don't think it's ever going to be a challenge! The difference is that now you begin to be the one people turn to for support and learning (maybe whether they like it or not! Ha ha!
Perhaps you think you're not even close to living as well as he did, but I think your kid(s) will be the best judge of that, just as you have been for your dad.
This reminds me of a snippet from my all time favorite story (a story that has guided me for almost 35 years now): The Odyssey. I wrote this a decade and half ago in a tale of my own father (modified slightly):
An oracle told Odysseus that once he got home, he needed to take an oar (the symbol of his twenty year journey home and of his struggle) and to walk inland until he reached a place where the people no longer knew what the oar was. There he was to plant it in the earth and teach those people about the oar, about the sea, about the rowing and striving towards home. And he did just that into his old age.
This is about keeping the magic alive. Thank you for sharing your dad's beautiful story and all that he gave and loved. And thank you for being part of his lineage. It is comforting and inspiring to know that.
Peace, love and hugs to you and your beautiful family.
Eric
Edit: And what a beautiful gift from Neebee... She has riches some of us will be lucky to ever know.
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Seamstress
Trad climber
Yacolt, WA
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Anastasia,
What to say - you said it all. I am sure he knows how much you adore him.
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GLee
Social climber
Missoula MT
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Thank you for sharing with us your tribute to a great man..
Best wishes to Aristides, Bill & yourself from Montana
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Fletcher, you are one good dude.
Keep on keeping on brother.
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
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Hey Anastasia,
Thank you for sharing the amazing stories of your dad, and family, too. The painting is beautiful and I also thought it was a photo. Sharing stories keeps us all connected and reminds us to be grateful, especially for wonderful, loving memories.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
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Double D
climber
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What a beautiful legacy he left behind in you and your family. Thanks for sharing Anastasia.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
merced, california
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Anastasia, my condolence for the loss of your father, who is one of a kind.
God may be inscrutable, but She is better that way! You are fortunate in that Costadino was such a good teacher. I wish you well in the dim days ahead, but there is always hope for Resurrection. God bless you and yours.
For those who don't know it, Anastasia~resurrection.
Odysseus~walker, even though he was a sailor like his Roman counterpart, Ulysses~full of wrath. Take a long look at what names we give to those we will be loving for the rest of time. Costadino did, as "best" as I can "figure."
[Fletcher, move to the front "row" for that story.]
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Jennie
Trad climber
Elk Creek, Idaho
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Very stirring and heartfelt eulogy, Anastasia. May memories of your parents lighten life's burdens until you lock arms with them once again.
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