Wednesday, May 8, 2019
The time and space it would take to fully commemorate John would be amazing. My big brother....where do I start. When I was little I couldn't say Johnny so I called him Gong-oh. Even as we grew (very much) older I loved to teasingly call him that. But he would just laughingly shout out my nick name Ogie.
I remember one summer fair when he had a job delivering the Star Weekly magazine. He took me down the midway....treated me to cotton candy,some rides and even (unsuccessfully) tried to win me a teddy at the ring toss game. John had so many talents. Everyone mentions his singing ability...and yes, he did have a great voice. He could bring tears to my eyes with Fifteen Years Ago, He Stopped Loving Her Today, and Old Shep. Then make you smile with the Auctioneer, Muleskinner and his rendition of Put Another Log on the Fire (Put Your Mother's Dog on the Fire) He had another talent that has been a bit overshadowed with his voice. That boy could ride a horse like a hot damn! I've got pictures of him standing on his horses back galloping full speed across a field. One trick he used to like to do was drop his hat and then gallop past, lean down and pick it off the ground.
I always liked doing things with him too. As we got older we even went out on a few double dates. (Maybe that was less his idea and more the fact I kept dating his friends.)
When I was 17 I moved out to the coast. Without either of us knowing before hand, we became engaged on the very same night.
After we lost our older sister, Mary and our parents, it was just John and I. I tried to get out as often as I could to visit him as his health even then was not that good for travelling. We also tried to talk on the phone at least once every couple of weeks. He had this joke every time he called. He say "just wanted to wish you a happy birthday " I'd say "but it's not my birthday. " Then he'd laugh and say he was just playing it safe for if or when he missed it.
I'm going to miss those calls big brother....I'm going to miss you! I loved you yesterdsay, I love you today and I'll love you all if my tomorrows.
Your baby sister , Ogie (also known as Iolla and Lee ) XXXOOO
