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A True Gentleman

Monday, May 25th, 2009

After a flurry of content issued in our first week, I’ve been “off the grid” for the past week due to a death in the family.  The reason why I’m discussing this isn’t to apologize the lack of content (there’s a time to pull oneself off the grid and morn), it’s to talk about the gentleman that passed away.

Anthony Guiglotto Sr. was born in 1914 in the Bronx New York.  He had three amazing children (his son Anthony Jr. is my father-in-law).  I only knew Anthony (Pops) for about 5 years.  From the moment I met him, I fell in love with this gentleman.  I would often corner him and pepper him with questions about his life growing up in the Bronx.  I’d quiz him about silly things that I found fascinating like, “which town did he aspire to live in?”  “What time did he come home from work every day” “Did he eat dinner with all of the kids at the table” etc..

He would have celebrated his 95 birthday on May 28th of this year. What a shame that we have to grow old. His mind was vibrant, his wit intact. His body gave out on him, and he slipped away peacefully in the middle of the night.

What have I learned from Pops for the short time that I knew him?

• Put others before yourself, and you will reap rewards

Fatherhood has taught me many things. The most obvious?  Being less about myself and more about my family. I have reaped the rewards tenfold.  Pops had this figured out long ago. When my father in law went to Pop’s home after he passed; they found a years worth of birthday and anniversary cards for his friends and family. Wow.

• Always put family first

No matter what, family always comes first. Pops went out of his way to teach this to his grandchildren, and they responded.  They’re respectful, they spend time with their family and they love each other.  School, work, and prior obligations are placed aside before family.  Pops would say his prayers for his family every night. As his brood grew it would take approximately and hour and half…every night.  Imagine what this positive meditation did for Pop’s outlook on life.  He went to bed each night with thoughts of love, peace, and his family.  I’m sure he did this the night he passed. What a legacy to leave.

• When someone slights you, it’s OK to not have them in your life

This lesson is my favorite. So many times when striving to be a “better man” I have continued to keep people in my life that I shouldn’t have. Attempting to “be the better man” etc. Pops knew that certainly people just weren’t his style, and he couldn’t change that.  So he focused on those he loved and poured every ounce of his time, love and energy into those people.

Rest in peace Pops. You were a true gentleman, after knowing you only a few years you taught me so much.  I’m grateful to have known you, happy that Talia got to meet you, will miss you.

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