Mark Merithew
It was a cold day in Bucksport Maine, when my brother and I were staying at my grandparents' home. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and there stood my father, who had drove several hours to come get his sons, and take them home. He was tired and had the look of fear. I was probably about 9 years old; my brother was 7 or 8 at the time. Not knowing what was going on. We gathered our belongings and piled into the car and made our way back home. It was the beginning of a life changing point in our lives. My father, had defied the odds of the family judicial system and gained custody of my brother and I. The determination he had, the fight, because the legal system at the time always gave custody to the mother. But I valued his accomplishments to achieve what many said was impossible, so that we could be brought up by him. The time after was a struggle, I remember as a little boy, trying to comfort my little brother as we slept at a place where my father worked, scared, lost, but we tried our best to listen and obey, while he worked to keep us fed, clothed and sheltered. Scrounging for any work that a single father could do with two children.
He had good attributes and being human had some bad ones too, but he always tried to do what he had to do to take care of his family the best he could.
Fortunately, he met a wonderful woman in Alabama, my mother, Bettie. She was and has been a source of strength, integrity and sacrifice, and stayed by his side till his death.
I know many people will have stories of my father, he had plenty to share, and he was a smart man, always learning about things that interested him, boats, ships, planes, motorcycles and trucks.
He loved flying I think the most, he used to have me in a plane since I was a few weeks having been born, which ended up costing a lot, but I was a spoiled child, couldn't sleep unless I was 5000 ft above the ground with a propeller in front of me.
I am glad he is at peace finally and now has the promise of a resurrection where he will not be sick or in pain any longer.