Francis Caesar re
'How Great Thou Art':
In the bathroom at 10 Symmes St., home, nest, haven from harm, resting-place for all the remembered,
uncountable numbers of joy-giving, love-giving-and-taking young ones, old ones,--that captivating
official Navy photograph hangs proudly: dear, revered brother Frankie and I, eyeing each other with
love, pride in our individual achievements, and facing our grand and expectant futures: World War 2, we
served from 1943 to 1946......How great thou art! Botswain's Mate 1st Class Frankie, I eagerly joined
and followed you into the service of the United States Coast Guard. Yeoman 1st Class, I was destined
to be the one to type and serve you with your Separation Papers that eventful day at Constitution Wharf
in Boston's First Naval District. The war was over. Francis Caesar Re, admired and precious first-born
son of Nancy and Caesar, adoring husband of dear Louise, that lovely lady: you are with her now, once
again. So vivid is my recollection of the long and utterly-adoring look of love she 'fixed' on you, the
day we brought you to visit Louise at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center. It was transfixing. How great
thou art! I recall the countless music-fests, where your magnificent baritone voice was heard, vocalizing
the art of Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, Bellini, Mozart and Gershwin. What a delight to accompany you on
the piano! Wasn't that a time, Frankie, this past July in Marblehead, Peter at the keyboard, Janet at the
Grand piano, and you belting out 'Summertime'? How great thou art in stuffing mushrooms! And
those meatballs! That lasagna!. I daresay Julia is 'nodding' approvingly. Dear, wonderful, devoted
'famiglia Pigoli from Cremona': there are no words to adequately express what you meant to Frankie and this family. I am overwhelmed, and so utterly personally grateful for your wonderful friendship with
my brother. For him to return several times to 'la bella Italia' and your family was 'un vero fantasia'!
fantasia'! Mario, Isa, Giuseppe, Sofia, Daria, 'mille grazie'! I absolutely must state, partiality aside,
what it meant to Frankie that 'Peter 'happened' to Deb! I could almost hear Frankie's sigh of relief:
'At last, my worries are over'! Finally, his little Deb had found 'someone (worthy) to watch over her!'
(And of course, that Peter 'happened' to all 'la famiglia Re' wasn't a bad thing). But what happiness
and sheer delight Peter's persona brought to Frankie! It was no secret how Frankie regarded his only
daughter: everyone of you must know. She simply was the greatest! Didn't Mayor Mennino want
her to work with him? Frankie spoke glowingly to me of Deb's speech to a large gathering at City
Hall Square in Boston at an awards ceremnoy held recently, relating to her excellent work with 'City Year'. 'How great is that?', Frankie would want to ask you! How great thou art! Who is there anywhere to equal the pride, love and devotion to a 'Fabulous Five Guys & a Doll' you shouted about
to anyone within hearing distance? (To say nothing of the adored, adoring grand-children, great-grand-
children here now, and yet unborn). For John, Francis, Richard, Bill, Bob and Deb, my heart holds
your sadness, and weeps with you. I liked who you were, Frankie. Your voice, your spirit, your love
remains with us, and will, into eternity. Now, dearest brother, our Lord has served you with your
final Separation papers. You will be profoundly missed. Good-bye, truly sweet gentleman, most hon-
orable man. May I speak for brothers Joseph, John, sister Vera, their families, and Matthew. The
angels are blessed with your presence. Our love will follow you to Heaven. 'Good night, sweet
prince, and flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest'. Peace and Love, your 'Coastie' sister Janet Nov. 14, 2004
11/22/04 Submitted by: janet c. re
Copyright 2012 Military Advantage, Inc.
|
