November 29, 2006 Dear Mr. Hogan, Thank you so much for sending your letter and sharing your memories with me. It was a wonderful surprise to hear from one of my Father’s old friends from Taunton. He would talk to us kids about the fun he had with his friends in his teen years and sometimes would make our mouths drop while telling about some of his antics. I remember saying to him, “If I ever did that I’d be grounded for life.” He’d say “yup” and we would just laugh. My Father was a very hard working man. I Guess you’d have to be when you have 5 children. Though money was tight when we were a young family, he always somehow managed to give us everything we ever wanted. He was generous to a fault, he was a big man with a bigger heart and a great sense of humor. I had the good fortune not to only have had him for my Dad, he was also my neighbor and my very best friend for the last 24 years. After my Mother passed away in 1982, he had a very tough time. My Husband and I were fortunate enough to find a house for sale on the very next street from where I grew up and my Dad still lived. He found his way out of his depression and went on with his life. A few years later he met a widowed lady with whom he had much in common and they became very close. He even gave her an engagement ring. They never did get married or even live together but they traveled all over together and had a lot of fun for many years. She is a wonderful woman who was a huge support system in his life right up until the very end. The last 10 years have been one battle after another with his health. It started with quintuple bypass surgery and from there it was one surgery after another. No matter what though, he would always fight his way back. His attitude was amazing. He was the one going through all of this yet he was the one making jokes to keep our spirits up. About 2 years ago the diabetes finally took it’s toll on his legs. He had to have his right leg amputated below the knee. He worked very hard and did walk again with a prosthesis. In September of this year he was walking in his house, fell and broke his hip. The doctors told us that he wouldn’t be able to go through another surgery, because his general health was failing and there was nothing more that they could do for him. He refused to go to a nursing home, as he had been in and out of hospitals and rehabs for so many years. I guess he just got too tired to fight any longer. God Bless him. Did you happen to know his Brother? My Uncle Tom Walsh? His children still live in your area and we keep in close contact. Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time but I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your letter and that I will be sharing it with my Brothers and Sisters as well. Please feel free to write again anytime. Yours Truly, Linda