My Dad, Vince Adametz, passed away on December 21, 2020, of COVID-19 complications, at the age of 97.5.
He was the best Dad I ever had (for the record, he was the only one, but that doesn’t change my feelings on the matter).
I remember all the times he left work to get me at school when I got ill. Helped me with school work. Kept me out of Trouble. All the things he taught me.
Some of those things he specifically taught me, like woodworking and how to fix up a house (a friend of mine once remarked that our house was always under construction), and how to be a good helper. Those skills have stayed with me even to this day.
Some things he taught by example. He and Mom always worked together around the house, did the shopping together, and my Dad never gave a thought to my Mom driving our pickup truck back in the 1970s when the idea of a woman driving a pickup truck would raise eyebrows all over town.
He got me my Big Break into IT. He was working for Digital Equipment Corporation, and would take me into the office on Sundays where I could play around with the computers. One day he showed me some paperwork he had to do that involved a number of calculations, and asked if the computer could do that. I wrote an application and my IT career took off.
He never talked much about his military experience until after the dedication of the World War II memorial. We watched that together on TV, and afterwards he began to tell his stories. I threatened to videotape him, but instead he wrote it all down. You can read ahout his exploits, in his own words, right here, and hear his own words in a presentation he made at a local elementary school in 2013 here. I was amazed by some of these stories. Here’s this parental figure, the one was making me do my homework and eat my vegetables, and now I learn, Wow! Running a flame thrower??? How Cool is that??
He often told the story of when he first went overseas to join the war in Europe. He was in Oran during Christmas, and went to Church Sunday, went to Midnight Mass, and then on Monday for Christmas Day. He, on his knees, prayed to God, “they gave me this rifle and said to kill or be killed, I don’t know where I’m going, watch over me, guide me”. You know, he spent 2 years in actual combat as an infantryman, one of those guys on the front lines in foxholes with a rifle and a helmet, and he got through all that with hardly a scratch. I observed that two significant medical advances became available right around the time he needed them; I do not consider that a coincidence. During some of the tough times I’d seen him through I pointed out that God has been taking care of him, and He ain’t gonna walk away now, and I believe God is still taking care of him. I hand over my caregiver role to Him.
In this time of pandemic, I was not able to visit him when he went to the hospital, but all the reports I got indicated that he was not in much pain, and the whole thing, from detection of symptoms to the end was less than 5 days. A Nurse, Jane, at the hospital was with him at the end.
I believe there is a plan behind everything that happens. I also believe that miracles do happen, but do not always serve a purpose that we can see, so maybe they don’t seem like much of a miracle. My Dad often talked about looking forward to the time when he would be united with Margaret, his beloved Wife, who he was true to all the way to today and beyond. Maybe the Christmas Miracle, on this Winter Solstice, is that he is now reunited with his beloved.
In significant ways he made things easy on the rest of us. He made his own decision to stop driving, for which I am forever grateful. Now another of his decisions is helping us even now. His wishes were to not have a funeral; his only desire is to be cremated and put with his Wife. Under the current circumstances, we will proceed with the cremation, but put everything else on hold. Once it becomes safe to travel and gather, we will have a memorial service and celebration. Watch this space.
He is missed by his three children, two grandchildren, godchild, and countless others.
Blue Jay, you did a great job writing this. You and your dad were blessed to have each other for all those years. Your love for each other was always evident.
Bluejay – Thanks for sharing about your dad. I enjoyed the couple of times that I met him – cooking chilli. And I’ve always been thankful that you and he had such a wonderful relationship. So many people miss the blessing of family and you and he showed the world how important and special family is.
Praying that you know the peace and comfort of God and that He will show you – just a glimpse, maybe – of His plan and purpose.
Sincerely,
Randy
Dear Bluejay, Dave sent me the sad news about your dad. He was so lucky to have you! I remember both your parents very well; they were both kind, loving people and I know you are just like them. I watched a video of your dad speaking to a group of young children several years ago. Sincere condolences, and my very best to you.
Bluejay your dad was such an inspiration to everyone and a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing so much of him with us. I will be praying for peace for you in the coming days, weeks and months.
Donna
Bluejay … I never had the pleasure to meet your father but after reading about him it is certainly a life worth celebrating. He certainly exhibited the attributes of selflessness, love for family and others, humility and dependence upon the LORD, which are attributes that we should all desire. “Maybe the Christmas Miracle, on this Winter Solstice, is that he is now reunited with his beloved.” – may this gospel truth bring you much joy as it did to the shepherds ” I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This “Christmas miracle” is the only true source of joy, even during the difficult times of life. Continued prayers for you and your family.
I am so very sorry for the loss of your dad. I have such wonderful memories of both of your parents and spending so much time with all of you on my summer breaks in Massachusetts. I know God has a plan and this was a part of it. Your mom and dad are together again oh what a reunion that must be.
Lots of love and hugs.
Micalann
Thank you for putting into words some of the things we are all feeling, Uncle Bluejay. Grateful for the gift of you!
Bluejay,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful view of your father. I knew him as a very kind and loving father to you and will always remember that. The chili lunches he took the time to prepare for all of us in IT, his war stories, all the fond memories of him I am certain will remain with all of us that knew him.
At this time, knowing how close you were to your father, I hope the Lord gives you peace in knowing that he is at rest and free of suffering.
God has a plan for all of us and it is painful to see loved ones go. I hope time will heal the pain and that your dad’s energy continue to inspire and drive your accomplishments. You are a special person and it is evident your dad was a great father because of it.
God give you comfort throughout this time.
Carmen
I have known Bluejay and his family since the mid 80′s. I would sometimes travel with Bluejay down to Florida to visit his parents when they had first retired there. It was a joy to get to know such wonderful caring people. In 1993 Bluejay’s mom passed and his Dad continued to live in Florida for a short period, making occasional road trips to come up and visit Bluejay. I think it was within about 2 years that Vince sold his Florida house and moved to SC to live with Bluejay. At that time Vince liked doing wood work in his wood shop. As the years passed, Vince scaled down to “lighter” wood work, then model trains. He was always active and creative in whatever level of hobby he had at a given time. It was in his later years that I was able to hear him tell of his WWII tours in Europe. I now know why this generation is known as the “Greatest Generation”, and am so glad that I had the opportunity to know such a brave soldier. When Mr. Vince first moved to the assisted living facility, my wife and I would stop in a couple times per year if we were traveling on I-26 and see Mr. Vince. Our last visit was December 21st 2019 (just before the pandemic), and Mr. Vince was lively and jolly as ever, not the typical 96.5 year old. As typical for him, regardless of having visitors, he would check his watch and when it was 10 till 5pm, it was time to go to supper, so we would walk with him to the cafeteria on our way out. Little did I know that within 3 months the US would be in a full fledged pandemic, and that would be the last time we got to walk with him to the cafeteria on our way out. I am proud that I personally knew one of these “Greatest Generation” heroes! We will miss him greatly!
Bruce Oberstar