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A GREAT MAN
On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, my father, Ron Jarzynka, lost his brief, but tough, battle with throat cancer. Since then, my life has changed forever. I want to thank all those who have asked for me via mail and e-mail and for those that have sent their condolences. Your support has been wonderful and has helped me through a very difficult time. Instead of the normal weather discussion, I'd like to print a few words about the man that made me what I am today... Ronald Henry Jarzynka was born to Clara Robaczewski Jarzynka and Frank Jarzynka on February 17, 1941 in Salem, Massachusetts. (In fact, he spent his entire life as a resident of Salem.) His early life was tough. He lost his own father to a heart aneurysm when only twelve years old. He helped support his mother and older sister by working long hours after school at the local A&P. He graduated high school and attended the Wenworth Institute in Boston for drafting. Six months from graduation, he decided a cramped desk wasn't for him. He pursued his first love and became a driver, delivery man and retail sales man for the Coca-Cola company in Lynn, Woburn and Needham, MA. He spent 37 years working hard for the company and made many friends on his route and with his co-workers. He was six months from his own early retirement this upcoming February when he was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. He was the healthiest man I ever met at his age. He had practically no body-fat, never smoked, never drank to excess and was never sick. This in itself was a blessing... But this isn't about his death, but his life... While working for Coke in the early days, he also served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve for eight years. Being raised by Polish women and spending time in the military, Ron definitely learned one thing: to be neat! Describing him as a type "A" personality would be a distinct understatement. While none of use could possibly live up to his level of neatness, he really helped me see the benefits of having everything in its place and to appreciate cleanliness! After he married my mother, Linda, and fathered me a year later, he set out to provide us with a wonderful home and living. My mother was able to quit work when I was eight years old. Keep in mind, he was a blue collar worker, toiling many hard hours of overtime to keep us healthy and happy in our lives. He sent me through private high school and college. This debt, I will never be able to repay. He was an avid beach and car enthusiast. You see, he loved to clean and loved cars. Let's say I haven't had to visit too many car washes in my days! He also loved the Lakes Region of New Hampshire very much. He spent his childhood vacations at the Allen-A in Wolfeboro. He shared this area with my mother and me by renting the Sirois camp on Lake Wentworth from 1978 to 1987. We all had wonderful times and great memories there and, to this day, it's my favorite place to vacation. Speaking of vacations, I was able to repay him in a small way, by inviting him up to spend time with me last August, when I rented another camp on Lake Wentworth. We had a wonderful time, rowing around the lake, swimming, fishing, playing badminton and going into town. His biggest thrill was seeing his only child get recognized in public. To that, I must thank all of you. All this happened right before his health started to fail in September and his diagnosis in October, so it was a great end to our quality time together. He leaves my mother, Linda, and me much better than we would have been without his presence in our lives. I shall always treasure his quips, his mannerisms, his catch-phrases ("in the meantime" was an overused segue of his) and his love for me and my family. In closing, I'd like to leave you with a word of advice and ask for your help. First, the advice... Always love your parents and tell them that you love them. I know it sounds corny, but once they're gone, they're gone, so do it. Also, never end a visit on a bad note. You never know if a squabble or disagreement might be your last words to them. In my case, they weren't, and I feel so much better knowing we parted on good terms. Now, for your help... My father was very fond of a young relative (by marriage) by the name of Joey. Joey had a short time with us, only eleven years, as he suffered from a progressive, debilitating childhood disease. Upon Joey's passing, a non-profit scholarship fund was set up in his name to help capable, but underprivileged, children. My father and my family would be so proud to know that he could help put deserving kids through school like he did with me so many years ago. If you'd like to donate in his name, please send your donation to the... K. Joseph Scotti
Scholarship Fund Thank you all again for all your support and help. All of you are my television family and I can't express how comforting that feels in a tough time like this... |
