We lost one of the best. One from our Greatest Generation. Hank Mattimore died peacefully at home yesterday, surrounded by those he loved most. His daughter Laura and son Sean and their families were there to hold him. My sister Elaine said exactly what we are all feeling when she shared with her friends: “My mom’s youngest brother, my dear, dear Uncle Hank died today. I don’t have the heart to tell you how good he was. Just trust me that the world has dimmed.”

They played Irish music for him. It was quiet, peaceful. And then we imagine the warm and possibly wild heavenly welcome he received from his wife Kathleen, parents Joe and Tiny, siblings Joe, Mary and Dan, and all the Mattimore cousins — Mary, Harry, Jane, Jack, Sally and Kay. Indeed the big family reunion up there will probably go on for days!

To his family we say that what we have all shared and loved about Uncle Hank we can never lose. Because all that we love deeply becomes part of us.

To Uncle Hank, we say…

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.