"After reflecting on all the many events and memories my father and I shared together, I came to realize as busy as he always was with the congregation and his work, he still was able to hand down to me lessons and experiences that fill a lifetime. 

 

Dad loved sports, when he had a little extra time he would watch football or baseball, or any sport that happened to be on.  I can still see him, he was right there in the game, gesturing and participating in all the action.  Cheering when the team scored or being frustrated when the team made a mistake.  He did not just watch the game, he was in the game!  Dad took me to a couple Cub games and a Bear game.  We were always ‘Northsiders’ at heart, watching the Cubbies and “Da Bears.”

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Truthfully I think he wished I had been born a boy, because when I was little he tried to teach me how to play baseball like I was heading for the major leagues.  Coaching me on the right batting stance, how to hold the bat correctly, (training me with a small starter bat) even working on developing proper eye coordination.  The only eye coordination I was interested in, was playing with eyeliner!  He even took me fishing and tried to teach me the skill of casting but he soon learned … that was not going to happen.  I was a fan of fish, but not of fishing!

 

Dad was devoted to Jehovah, his family and his work.  I can still see him working up his talks.  He would search through articles and books to find the perfect illustration, experience or example to keep the interest and attention of each listener.  He always felt that there was no better way to learn or retain information than by illustration, just as Jesus taught. 

 

Dad was the Watchtower conductor for many years.  My parents always had a stipulation from the time I was a little girl, I had to make at least one comment at every meeting.  On one occasion (we were still meeting on Heine Street) Dad and I went to the meeting without Mom that day.  Dad was conducting the Watchtower and he called on Ronnie Banks (who was younger than I) Ronnie gave a  l o n g  comment.  After he was finally done commenting, Dad unexpectedly said “Brigitte do you have a comment?”  I was totally unprepared for commenting that day and with no Mom there to toss me a quick answer, I smartly replied “Same Comment!”  Dad without missing a beat said, “Would you care to repeat it?”  Stunned, I said, “NO.” Everyone laughed except me, I was horrified.  Truthfully, I had absolutely no idea what Ronnie had said.  I cried all the way home, telling Mom what Dad had done, making sure he got in BIG trouble with Mom… and he DID, and I was happy!

 

When it came to work, Dad was a perfectionist.  He took pride in his skill as a mason and was well known for the quality of his work.  He built numerous luxury homes, more than I can count.  I always enjoyed touring the job sites and seeing all the high-end homes he was working on.  I still have my favorite!!!   I was proud and impressed by the respect builders and contractors had for him.  This led him to being used by Jehovah on many construction projects, of which he always felt was a privilege and an honor.

 

I will always love him and miss him dearly, until I see him again in paradise.
 

~ Brigitte Schembari