I visited my dad’s grave yesterday at Calvary Cemetery. After his death in 1991 he was buried near two of my mother’s sisters. Mom was buried next to dad in 2020. A week ago today, my brother Peter was interred near our aunts. To his left, empty graves for my sister and I await. Pete’s twin, our other sister and her husband have plots a short distance away. My oldest brother’s grave is up the hill in another section. I thought on Father’s Day of how dad’s kids will all eventually be buried near him.
While writing this, I was reminded of another father, George Mertz of Bainbridge. He died the day before my brother. His funeral was on Saturday at St. John’s. George was a contemporary of my parents having been born in 1926. He fought in World War 2 as did my dad, then returned home to start a family.
George and Madeline had 9 children, 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. One child and one grandchild predeceased him. He was very devoted to his church, his faith and his family. Something amazing to me—he was likely baptized 98-years ago just a few feet from where Fr. Jim sprinkled Holy Water on his casket at the funeral.
“Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children, and that is what we are.” 1 John 3:1 (Jerusalem Bible)
Peace,
Deacon Tom
We have wheelchair accessible entrances to the church, social hall, and education center, and reserved pews, as well as fully accessible restrooms.
We are