This has been something I've been putting off for a bit. Something I've been having trouble putting to words adequately, and I wasn't ready to deal it. But as time goes by I realize I have to deal with this and to finish it. So for the moment, I would to draw all of your attention to my late grandfather; Ralph M. Higgins.
On Friday morning around 9:30 on March the 27th 2009 I woke up and noticed a voice mail from my aunt Barbra saying that my grandfather was hospitalized because of a heart attack. By the time I had called my aunt, I learned he was already gone.
Now I've been hearing this from a lot of people; 'Oh was your grandfather ill?', 'Was he sick?' And the answer is no. Fact is my grandfather was in really good shape for a 91 year old man. 91 years old; can you believe it? He suffered a massive heart attack while working out at the gym on that Friday morning. He worked a few times a week, and he was not a man who spent his final years letting himself go.
I think I spent most of that Friday in a state of shock. But to tell you the truth I'm really not sure what I was feeling. I suppose the best example was I almost treated it like any another day; except my daily routine had simply been interrupted by some sudden event, and I acted accordingly. I was logical, I was calm, and since their was little for me to do that day, I was almost bored with myself, and I felt I needed to get back to my routine.
It really didn't hit me until I was talking on the phone with Lori, when I suddenly realized I was never going to see my grandfather again. I broke down right on the spot. But what I'm trying to say is, it was a very surreal day for me. And it still feels weird knowing that he's gone, and if I sit around thinking about it too long, I'll still feel a little upset.
My grandfather (Ralph M. Higgins) was born on October 7th 1917 in Milo, Maine. He was the younger identical twin to his brother Foster, who was 20 minutes older.
My grandfather graduated from the University of Maine in 1940 with a BA in education (Math, Chemistry, and Physics). After teaching for two years he enlisted in the AAF (Army Air Force) in 1942 during WWII. While in the AAF my grandfather was a sergeant in the 82nd Troop Carrier Squadron, US Army Air Force, and served as a radio operator. He was active in European Africa Middle Eastern Theater Campaign. He even participated in 'D-Day'.
Apparently, he was scheduled to be grounded that day, but he boarded one of the C-47s, against orders because he wanted to be with his buddies, and not miss out on any of the action.
So after the war was ended in 1945 he was honorably discharged, he decided to continue his education by returning to the University of Maine, as well as attending both Harvard and Syracuse.
After completing his education once again my Gramps moved to NYC and became a member of the Cherry Lane Theater, doing summer stock and Shakespearean works. While in NYC he met and later married in 1950 Eloise Ensko (my grandma).
My grandfather retired in 1983 after 25 years as an electrical engineer with Western Electric Research Center, creating several patents.
One of gramps' best known for and most loved roles was his role as Heir Drosselmeyer in the Nutcracker, with the American Repertoire Ballet (aka Princeton Regional Ballet Society) where he played the role for over 35 years, and an additional 6 years for the Suburban Dance Force.
My gramps was not a man who was easily held down. He was always active. He exorcised several times a week, as well as volunteered at the Princeton Medical Center, in Princeton, NJ. My grandfather was an amateur carpenter. He built several additions to his old house in Lawrenceville, where my mom and aunt grew up, and I spent much of my childhood as well. Two porches, one downstairs, and one upstairs, and a huge backyard right next to them. Among other smaller additions as well. He even made me a wooden sword based on the Master Sword from the Legend of Zelda A Link to The Past. Which I still have to this day.
Grampy (Ralph M. Higgins) kept himself busy and was always active doing things. He left this world suddenly and with his faculties intact. And I'm okay with that, and I know he would have preferred it that way. Almost everywhere he went my grandfather made friends, and I and my family have been meeting people in the weirdest places all saying what a great guy he was and how much they're going to miss him. My grandfather had an indomitable spirit and a great sense of humor. I suppose you could say Grampy was one of my childhood heroes, growing up as and I always looked up to him. I think I even adopted some of my sense of humor after him too. Mind you; he wasn't perfect. He had his flaws as we all do, but he was a great person.
But anyway; life does go on. I knew my grandfather pretty well, and I know he wouldn't want us all feeling sad and crying. His funeral viewing was more of a celebration of his life more than a grim reminder of his passing. To be honest, it was the most fun I've ever had at a funeral, (I didn't have THAT much fun, really). Many of my friends and family, and people I had no idea who they were all showed up to pay their respects, and it really reminded me how much that man was loved.
Some of you who are reading this never met my grandfather. Some of you have. But I just want all of you to know what a great old guy my gramps was.
I'll miss you grampy.