My dad can do just about anything. Our house is filled with woodwork and stained glass reflecting his craftsmanship and attention to detail. He cut and finished the Adirondack siding for the exterior himself, and lovingly laid each piece of stone. The garage is another example of his work, as is the patio and the multitude of stone walls which litter the backyard.

Over the years, he had a number of hobbies, each of which he threw himself into whole heartedly, learning every thing there was to know about the field – from fishing and boating, to farming, turkey hunting, masonry, skeet, golf and more. He excelled at them all, as well as sports, because of his thirst to master every skill that interested him.

He’s a tough act to follow, my father. Because he is truly a man who can do anything he puts his mind too. At 50, he took up flying, and a few years later became a flight instructor and opened his own flight school. By 60, he was flying jets.

There is simply nothing the man can’t do.

Well, except operate the dishwasher.

Ditto the washing machine.