Tuesday, May 9, 2017

REMEMBERING A WONDERFUL MAN

Today, May 9th 2017, my dear father-in-law, Warren Channing Lefebvre, called Chan by all who knew him, passed into heaven.  He was born August 31st 1929 and would have been 88 this year.  
Chan and his lovely wife, Marie France, on May 29th 1976, the day Clay and I were married.
Clay and his father, now both in heaven together. 

Chan was so wonderful. He was kind, gentle, thoughtful, and the best father-in-law.  
We always enjoyed holidays and family times and reunions spent together.
He also was very intelligent and had a good sense of humor, traits he and his son shared.
Back in 1984 we took a trip to Yosemite together.
L to R: Marie France, Sophie, Clay, Chan Jr., Chan, and me (Rose)

Chan was very proud of the memorial in Arizona erected for his father to mark his accomplishments for the state.

Chan showed appreciation for his family and loved them all so dearly.
He was generous, always there to help.

1986

Clay and his father had a special bond and they could talk for hours on so many topics.
Now they can chat for eternity.
He and Marie France had a special bond. They shared so many journeys.
Chan treated many family members to wonderful voyages and adventures.
We got to attend several family reunions in Colorado, a trip to Disneyworld in Florida, a road trip with he and Marie France to Washington and Canada, family sailing trips to Catalina Island, a trip to the Hawaiian islands, and a wonderful exciting tour to France, England, Scotland and Wales!
He enjoyed life and sharing with those he loved.
He loved Arizona and fortunately got to spend some of his last of life there.
Chan was always reading my poetry and complimenting me. 
He gave so much love and support to Clay and I over the years.
After Clay passed, he was always willing to still talk to me about Clay and remember those many good years.
In one of my last conversations with Chan he had told me he had taken a class about writing and he was finally going to start writing his memoirs about his life as a child, young man and about his memories of his father.  He said he remembered me giving him one of those memory books to fill out years ago and he said he was finally going to do it.
I had joked saying I would be there to celebrate his 100th birthday and he should have it done by then.  
I was not ready to say good bye, none of us ever are.
I am going to miss him.

22 comments:

  1. So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Rose
    My condolences on his passing. I know you have been close to him. May you find comfort in the Lord in the days ahead.
    Love
    MaryLou

    ReplyDelete
  3. So sorry for your loss. Sending you hugs! Paula

    ReplyDelete
  4. So sorry to learn about Channing, and your tribute is lovely. I remember you in my prayers daily still.
    Thinking of you today. Love, Betty Jean

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Rose, I'm sorry for your loss. What a hole this leaves. He really came through at difficult times in your life. Hold fast to your memories. You're in our prayers. Barb

    ReplyDelete
  6. That was a beautiful tribute. I'm sorry for your loss and it seems you're going to cherish the wonderful memories you have of that man.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thinking of you so much Rose! I know how much Chan meant to you and
    what a great man he was. Always so supportive. I am praying for you.
    Love you and miss you, Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  8. A beautiful blessing of memories, those who have passed into heaven forever remain in our hearts. I am sorry for your loss.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so very sorry, Rose! This has been such a difficult year for both sides of your family. May God comfort you with His love and good memories of your's and Clay's loved one, while we comfort you and your family with our love and prayers. Lynnette

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful way to honor my Dad Rose. So beautifully written and I love the pictures. We are all so lucky to have had him in our lives and I know he is with Clay and Laura and Jessica now. He cared so much about you, Clay and Jimmy and I know how much you loved him. I so wish he wrote his memoirs and I always thought about recording him talking about his life but never did. We will all have to help piece his life and memories together. Miss him so much. Much Love, Sophie

    ReplyDelete
  11. You always spoke with great love about him. Sorry to hear of your loss. Mike

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm sorry to hear of your loss.
    God bless you ♡

    ReplyDelete
  13. My condolences to you. Saying good-bye is never easy. I'm glad you have a heart full of wonderful memories.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a beautiful tribute, Rose. Thank you for letting us know a little bit about Chan.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My condolence to you Rose. Thank God for memories that you have for him! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  16. So sorry for your loss, I remember him when you had Clay's service. Yes father and son together again, Carrol O.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sorry to hear about your Father-In-Law. He sounded like a man anyone would want to have as their Father-In-Law. Loosing a loved one close to you is hard. There's never anything that can be said in a time like this to help ease the pain but fond memories of past and knowing that he's in a far better place does help a troubled heart. I hope your heavy heart will soon be free of pain. Steven P.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Rose, I am deeply sorry to hear of your father-in-law's death. I know how much he has meant to you through the years. Please know that you have my deepest sympathy. Thank you for your remembrance of him on your blog. It was a touching and fitting tribute to what I can see was a fine man. Your friend, Ron

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dear Daughter, Your father and I both sorry about the passing of Chan. He was a loving father and loved all his children. Marie France will be lost without him and we are praying for her and all the children and grandchildren who will miss him so much. He was such a caring person and so full of life. He loved his boat and just being with people. I know all his friends will miss him too. Please tell his family we are so sorry and know God will hold him close for all of you. Love your Mon and Dad.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Rose, I am so sorry about the loss of your Father in Law. He sounds like such a wonderful man. May God Bless your heart with comfort in the days ahead.
    Love seeing you in the post below too. You look fabulous!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm so sorry for your loss Rose. He sounded like one of the best people... kind, considerate and loving. May he rest in peace.

    hugs,
    rue

    ReplyDelete
  22. So sorry, Rose for your loss. Your Father-in-law sounds like a wonderful man. You've written a lovely tribute to honor him. I hope these treasured memories and knowing that your dear husband and his Father are together once again will help to ease the sorrow. My condolences to you and the family during this sad time. Sending hugs and prayers. xx Karen

    ReplyDelete