Panepinto Times

You Live On In Our Hearts and Minds

My father’s life was characterized by boundless love for his family, generosity and strength. He and my mom had five of the luckiest children on earth. There was nothing our parents wouldn’t do for us. And, they always gave us an unending supply of love and understanding, even on occasions when we did not deserve it.

Dad always ensured everyone had a great time. I’ll treasure memories of his company picnics with him playing softball and running the bases while smoking a cigar and telling jokes. At Gary’s Labor Day parties, dad would make certain everyone had plenty to eat and drink - and that they had enough lemon on their grilled sausages.

Dad’s generosity was not limited just to his family. Whenever anyone was in need, dad was there to help. He was incredibly talented with automobiles, construction and just about any repair job. I grew up knowing that I could fix anything simply by calling my dad.

Dad was an awesome cook. We savor the memories of so many, many meals he made for us. He especially enjoyed holiday cooking when we were together.

Several years ago, dad’s tongue began to feel like a leg that has fallen asleep. It would take a few years before doctors would discover that he had a rare salivary gland cancer.

While told he would only have a few months, he managed to stay with his beloved Lia and the rest of his family for more than 2 years. He got to enjoy his grandson, Jordan, with whom he spent so much time.

There were times in his life when my father showed so much more strength than I could ever muster myself. For these things, I was in awe of him. But, I could never imagine the strength he showed during his last couple of years. He faced his disease with great courage and dignity. And, he never complained. The most you could get him to admit when you asked him if he was in pain was, “a little.”

Our beautiful mom, Lia, provided first class care to dad throughout his illness, especially during his final months, giving "round the clock" love and devotion and tending to his every need.

He left us on Feb. 7, after regaining consciousness long enough to tell his family he loved them, that Jordan was a beautiful baby, and that he was ok. Dad - you will live on forever in our hearts and minds.

Buzz Lightyear

Halloween brought many visitors this year. Oooh-Oooh came by with a scary costume. Little and DeMichael also came by for some fun. Then, a scary clown (Raspy), a cute cat (Chica), Buzz Lightyear (Koko Head) and his sidekick Woody (me) went trick-or-treating.

Matt sent me a great picture of him as Thomas the Tank Engine and Jordan was a very strong Spiderman.

Seasons Greetings

2006 Highlights

Dianna and I enjoyed Christmas 2005 in CO and in CA. Paul played Santa to the children and jumped out the window to come back in the front door as Paul to fool the kids. Then, Dianna and I were in GB and Paul played Santa to Jordan!

Lee and Cindy came over for New Year’s Eve 2005 and we opened a bottle of 1982 Dom Perignon that my mom had won as top salesperson. Dad was quite ill, but managed to wish us all a Happy New Year at midnight.

Dianna picked me up from the airport when I returned to CO and surprised me with a weekend trip to Vail. She rented a condo on Lake Dillon. We abandoned plans to go cross-country skiing and hiking only to enjoy the view from our room. Later, I answered a knock on the door to find Monster and her boys bringing me a new pair of Salomon Scrambler 8’s that Dianna bought for me. What a difference these shaped skis made! We had a perfect day of skiing.

I can’t imagine anything more fun than taking two godchildren camping for their first time. In May, Dianna, Koko Head and I met up with Dan, JoJo and Matt in upstate NY to go to the Thomas the Tank Engine exhibit and to go camping. The boys had so much fun visiting the make-believe island of Sodor. And, camping was filled with non-stop thrills of the river, roasting marshmallows, hiking in the forest, outdoor cooking and sleeping in tents.

OR2006 in Moab was very exciting, although we missed J-Man, DBP and the regulars. We climed the Golden Staircase and watched the crazies battle The Escalator.

Rick and Laura threw a wild 50th birthday party for Big Guy and we ate, drank, danced and swam all day long. So many life-long friends were there to celebrate. Then, Rick and Laura let Dianna, Jason, Cris, Jordan and I stay at the Hartford Court Winery for the night. We were pampered with indescribable beauty and luxury. While we were there, it was our own private winery heaven. Thank you Rick and Laura!!!

Ros planned an exceptional 50th birthday party in Vegas for Dougie. I finally got to meet Gary :>) We ate under the stars at Caeser’s Palace, rode the Manhattan Express, had a diving contest in the pool and Joey made an awesome bbq at the home we rented.

Dianna and I had Thanksgiving dinner at her mom’s. The food was delicious. Then, we headed to a 3100 sq.ft. cabin in Quandry that the Merrills and we rented. Ros made a delicious turkey and her annual yams :>) We skied Keystone and did the bungie bounce afterwards. The view of Lake Dillon from Keystone was awesome. Then, we played Phase 10 and girl power defeated the men. Thanks, Ros, as usual for doing so much preparation to make our vacations so much fun.

(Check out the Photo Gallery)

The Skipper and I took the long way back through the backroads of Utah and CO. We spent the night in Steamboat and watched the river scream at 25MPH. We went over Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the world. Scott - you made the trip exceptional!

Koko Head’s 3rd birthday party at the park was fun. We all rode the Loveland 5/8 scale chu-chu train. Then, we went to see Cars!

Howard came to visit on my birthday and we played in a golf tournament.

The two Sams and I had a great round of golf at Crystal Springs. Then, we met up with Scott, Howard, Rich and Barry for a fine meal at Capellini’s. Rich brought some fine wine and cigars for the group to enjoy. Thanks, Rich!!!

Dianna and I fled to Estes Park for her birthday. We stayed in a great little cabin and held each other all weekend.
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Dianna and I celebrated our anniversary again in Manhattan. We saw Hairspray and had drinks afterwards at the top of the Marriott Times Square. We ate at Vincent’s in Little Italy where my mom and dad ate when my mom was pregnant with me. The restaurant has been around since 1904! We toured the streets during the feast of San Geniro. We met up with Brad who let us stay with him in his new home in Brooklyn. Then, we had a festival of foods day starting out on 86th Street (Lenny’s Pizza), then the Spumoni Gardens (more pizza) then Coney Island (to visit the Cyclone, Steeple Chase and the Boardwalk) and Lundy’s in Sheepshead Bay. We walked off all the food in Prospect Park. Brad and I also saw Spamalot, a terrific Monty Python play with skits from the Holy Grail and more.

Gary’s Big Night Out Casino Party was a blast. We started out at Gary’s place by the pool. Then, we boarded a limo and ate tons of appetizers, lobster and steak. After that, we all put in $50 and took turns at the $5 slot machines. Everyone had a terrific time.

Dianna and Martha took in the colorful change of seasons in New England, visiting Connecticut and Rhode Island. They took scenic country road drives, stayed in bed and breakfasts, dined on the local cuisine and took lots of pictures.

Arno and Angela came to visit and we toured the sculptures of Loveland and ate at my favorite Italian restaurant - Giuseppe and Tammy Monaco’s place. Giuseppe makes the most incredible, home-style meals from several regions in Italy, including his home of Capri. Angela brought us home movies from many years ago now transferred to DVD. Thanks!!!

Thank you to all of the people who gave so much caring to my family and I during my father’s illness. And, thank you for sharing in the services and celebrations of his life that we had for my father. This year alone, several good friends also lost their fathers and I pray that they all enjoy eternal happiness.