in memory of my father

My father with my two older sisters. {Pre-me} The love of his girls is so evident here.


as many of you know, my father died, with grace and ease,  on Sunday.  He had been diagnosed with Parkinsons a few years ago. Although we knew this time would come, it made it no easier in the end. In his 83 years of life he was an elegant man who lived his life for his family and his passion of design. As an architect he was given so many AIA awards and sat on myriad civic and design boards that the list would be too long to cite here. His contributions to the world and the architecture community was staggering. Even in his last months, when his mind was lost to dementia, he spoke mostly of design. We would sweetly smile, when speaking to him on the phone, listening to his non-sequitor conversations about 'codes' and structures, as if he were conducting a board meeting or was on a job site.

 my dad and me sometime in the 70s

Always, till the end  he had, what he once told me was the bane of an architects mind, 'An Edifice Complex', that is a perfectionist who would not quit designing until the very end. His beautiful cerebral wit, his creativity and his love for his family was the evident spirit that will always live with all who know him. I'll be back next week but will be taking this week off to celebrate the life of my beloved 'daddy'.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I'm so sorry for your loss, Megan! Sending positive vibes to you and your family! xo
Meg said…
Awww...Megan, my deepest sympathies with you and your family during this time. I'm so sorry for your loss. What a sweet tribute, and an incredible man.
What a beautiful tribute to your father. It sounds like he had such a proud life to celebrate. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Hautezone said…
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family Meagan.
Your fathers business acumen, charm, grace and love of all things design will continue to reside in you. For that is only part of his legacy.

The largest legacy of all is being a wonderful father, deeply respected and loved by his family, his children.

Though it seems, your life will never be the same - in some sense that may be true but one day soon, you will find yourself smiling again.

Best regards and much respect.

Joy / Hautezone
www.Hautezone.Blogspot.com
so sorry to hear of your loss. His influence on you is evident, even if you don't share the same 'style' as you talked about in the latest SRT. My thoughts are with you and your family
preppyplayer said…
What a loving tribute.
The first picture is so beautiful, really lovely.
Anonymous said…
Such a beautiful post, and wonderful memories. There is nothing like a father's love.

-JHG
Kate Dickerson said…
Beautiful, Megan. You have lost him in person, but are so lucky to have all the wonderful memories you will carry with you forever. That's how I felt when my dad died 10 years ago, and it's still true, every day. I am sending you and your family good thoughts.
vignette design said…
My condolences. Your daddy sounded like a wonderful man and father.
Mrs. Blandings said…
I was so impressed, but not surprised, by the long list of accomplishments in his obituary. He was quite a guy. My thoughts are with you.
Aimless Olive said…
A beautiful and tender tribute to clearly, a very exquisite man...take comfort in all your beautiful photos and memories. My thoughts are with you and your family.~M
Roxy Te said…
So sorry to hear about your loss. The first picture really captures his spirit and love- so beautiful just like this post.
i'm so sorry to hear megan... what a beautiful tribute to your father. gonna keep this short 'cause my eyes are welling up and i just want you to know i'm thinking of you and your family. lots of love xx.
Curious Details said…
My sympathies to you and your family for the loss of your father.

Your tribute was lovely, Megan.

Becki
TERI REES WANG said…
Cheers!... to all the creative genius and generous heart that was and still is your Daddy.

Infinite love and gratitude.
Renae Moore said…
Megan,
Tears in my eyes, there's nothing like being 'daddy's little girl' no matter how old we get. I know so many good memories are flooding your heart, enjoy.
Big hugs for you.
xo
vicki archer said…
I am so sorry Megan, please accept my deepest condolences and know that you are in my thoughts...xv
Briana Arlene said…
What loving memories you have! Your dad was so accomplished. Thanks for sharing this post! I will be saying a prayer for you and your family.
Urbanstems said…
Megan..a beautiful tribute and photos. So sorry for your loss. May your Dad rest in peace. Sinead
Megan, what a beautiful tribute. The photos are so sweet; my thoughts & prayers are with you and your sisters.
M.Lane said…
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. What lovely photos.

My Dad had Parkinsons also and passed some years ago. If your Dad played golf, I imagine he will be seeing my Dad on the first tee...

ML
mlanesepic.blogspot.com
Unknown said…
I'm so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. What a sweet, loving, inspiring post. You can see the love in his eyes for his girls and I can read the love for your dad in your words here. What a neat man.
Petunia Face said…
Beautiful photos and family. What a lucky girl you were to have such a fabulous father, and what a lucky guy he was to have such a kick ass daughter. Hugs to you.

xo,
S
Unknown said…
The loss of a father hurts deeply. It sounds as though he lived a rich and hugely creative life. Sending heartfelt comfort your way.
La Maison Fou said…
What a touching post to your dad.
The pictures speak a thousand words!

A very non descriminating disease, one that is felt in the patient as well as the family and loved ones.
My g grandmother sicumbed to this as well, a larger corporate accountant, always accounting for no.'s until the end as well.

A heartfelt prayer to you and yours,Megan.

Leslie.
Briel said…
:( So sorry to hear about your loss!
krista said…
this really hit home for me. my dad is dealing with parkinson's right now and it is aging him far quicker than i would like.
sending so much love you way....
i'm so, so sorry.
dads. nothing like them.
sending you love megan.
-katie
Concrete Jungle said…
Just a quick note of condolence so you know we are all thinking of you. I adore the first photo....the way all Dad's should be!
kate (pm) said…
Such a lovely photo of your father with your sisters. I love the crinkling and the twinkle of his eyes. It's wonderful you have a photo like that to treasure along with your memories, Megan.
My deepest sympathies,
k.
Charlotta Ward said…
Megan I am so sorry for your loss. I have tears in my eyes as I type this and as you know the issue is very close to my heart as my own father is sick with cancer.
To have grown up by the side of a tremendous man and to be able to share a long life together is a gift.

I will keep you in my prayers and hope that you have loving support around you.

Lots of big sisterly hugs from Sydney.

xx Charlotta
Lisa Porter said…
Dear Megan,
Your tribute here is
so proud and loving.
What a wonderful man
he was.
Your father's soul & spirit
will always remain
in the sweetest corner
of your mind and
the most tender place
in your heart.
I will keep you
and your family
in my prayers.
xo Lisa
Karena said…
Megan wonderful thoughts and memories to cherish! I know how much you must miss him.

Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Courtney said…
Oh, Megan! I'm so incredibly sorry to hear this. Thinking of you and your family during this time...and during the holiday season. Sounds like he led quite a life with lots to celebrate. He's definitely left his mark!
Anonymous said…
that was a beautiful tribute.
I know the pain of losing a dad too.
all the best.
jo in australia
sealaura said…
My deepest sympathies and this is such a sweet tribute to him. I liked the idea of "edifice complex" and it sure shows what a talented creative individual he must have been to still be thinking about design even when he was ill.

thanks for sharing him with us here.
xx
L
Karen said…
Megan,

May your lovely memories of your father sustain you during this time of loss.

Karen
Megan, Thank you for sharing these tender photos. I'm very sorry for your loss and understand what you're going through. May all of your good memories of your father sustain you.
mary said…
Peace. How blessed your family has been with his presence. This is a wonderful tribute to him and his love of life. Thank you.
annechovie said…
Megan,
First of all, I am very sorry for your loss, but I loved what you had to say about your Dad and the special relationship you had with him - really beautiful. Please know that my heart goes out to you and you and your family will be in my prayers and thoughts. Peace and hugs to you. xx
Sealicious said…
I am so sorry for your loss, but it is so wonderful to see a family that appreciates one another so much. It reminds all of us to take nothing for granted :)
Angela said…
What a blessed woman to have such a man for a father. I have a prayer in my heart for you and your family to feel peace at this time.
Paula Masterman said…
Beautifully expressed, ((Megan)) You know my love is with you and family as you embark on this part of your journey. You honor him so well with your incredible integrity in design, expression and your heart.

Lots of love,
Auntie Paula
BestofDesign said…
What a beautiful loving tribute to your daddy----may we all be loved as he obviously was..Sounds like he got back what he sent out.
BestofDesign said…
BTW Megan, if you haven't already that first photo, esp. is "blow up worthy" What a great huge canvas that would make! I just did one of my mom on the beach in the '50s...turned out beautifully!
xo
Christine said…
Megan, my heart goes out to you right now. I am so, so sorry for you loss; I know how much you admired and loved your Father. Know that Eric and I are thinking of you and that we love you very much. Chris
Christine said…
Megan, my heart goes out to you right now. I am so, so sorry for your loss; I know how much you loved and admired your Father. Please know that Eric and I are thinking of you and that we love you very much. Chris
I'm so sorry Megan.
The death of a woman's father closes and opens a chapter in her life. It's such an irrevocable, heartwrenching void.
You father sounds like a magnificent Renaissance man, the likes of which are so rare today.
May your children and your husband and your sweet soul bring you some calm and consolation through these days.
Fondest wishes for you, Alcira

thenerochronicles.blogspot.com
Dianne said…
Thinking of you and your family Megan. My deepest sympathy.
beautiful post about an obviously extraordinary man. sorry for your loss megan, i've been there too, and no matter how rich a life a person has led it's always difficult for those left behind. hope you have a comforting time with your family this week, celebrating your father. julesxx
Suz said…
I'm so sorry for your loss. I recently lost my beautiful father too - it leaves a whole that can't be filled.

He sounds like a lovely man.
Cathi said…
What a beautiful tribute to your father. I am so sorry for your lose! My heart goes out to you and your family! xxoo
A wonderful tribute to your father. Thinking of you.
Beth Jacquin said…
What a beautiful tribute to your dad. And those pictures are truly worth a thousand words. Thank you for sharing your father with us.
Oh Megan, I am so sorry to hear that your father has passed. A close family friend of ours passed on the same day.

Your tribute to your father is incredibly sweet. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

xo,
cristin
Linda in AZ * said…
* My heart goes out to you and the rest of your family, Megan... How wonderful that he was so loved and adored... What a legacy in itself...Continue to make him proud, as I know you did!

Warmest blessings to all,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
Unknown said…
I am thinking of you this week and am praying for you and your family. Your father sounds like he was an amazing man and incredible creative.
Hi Megan... I fell so sorry for your loss! It sounds like you were a lucky girl to have had a great father who you were so proud of! {I wish I could have had a father like that!}. Your post made me emotional!
A sincere hug to you! Feel better...
Renata
Anonymous said…
Megan,
Bless you,this was a touching tribute.
Hopefully you find comfort in the love and memories and the knowing he lived a very full life.
I lost my father 8 years ago,and my dear mother three weeks ago.It does hurt beyond words.
You are in my prayers,
Shay ~ designerjunkfinder

please excuse the anonymous..can't remember my google password.
katiedid said…
Megan....I did not know. I an sending the best of wishes to you and your family. Parents love us more than anyone ever could...and we leave them when we become adults as we are meant to, only to realize what they really mean after we have learned many lessons on our own. It sounds like your appreciation and love was ever present. And it sounds as if he knew that. Hugs to you and yours.
Katie
Oh, Megan, this is such a beautiful tribute. The photos of him clearly show what a sweet, kind and loving man he was. What a privilege to have him for a father.

I send heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

xx/lisa

abloomsburylife.blogspot.com
girloliver said…
so sorry for your loss, and I will be thinking about you and your family during this time.
Zakary said…
I am so very sorry. The photos are just priceless.

Love you.

ZW
Flotsam Friends said…
I'm so sorry for your loss Megan. This is such an uplifting post. I adore all the photos. Pruxxx
Lisa Mackay said…
What a lovely, touching post Megan. You can see the love in your words and in the photos. My heart breaks for you - you say it so well - it is never easy even when it is expected. I hope you find peace this week, and in the future. I am sending my warmest thoughts and hugs!
Oh that's such a sad story, so sorry to hear your loss. Beautiful post and tribute.

Keren :o)
Unknown said…
I'm so sorry. Your in my thoughts.
Anonymous said…
My thoughts are with you and your family. What he did for others and the world, remains and is immortal. His brightness in touching the life of you and others remains. It is immortal. As is he.

-Maria
Charlotta Ward said…
Just checking in again.. I know you don't have the space, strength or want to read emails right now.. But when you do, just know that my thoughts swing back to you several times a day.

Hoping you are well. All things considered..

Big hugs
xx Charlotta
Unknown said…
My most heartfelt condolences to your and your family Megan. I love that first photo because you are right, "the love for his daugthers is so evident".

My prayers to you and your family; I hope you spend the week reminiscing in laughter and love all the memories you have shared and will continue to hold dear.
LindsB said…
This is such a sweet tribute, I have tears down my cheeks right now. I am so very sorry for your loss and will be thinking about you and your family this week. xo
Spoken from the heart...a beautiful tribute.

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