Mac

Wesley Emmett McNeel, otherwise known as Wes to Grandma, Dad to his children, Grandpa to myself and my cousins, and Mac to many friends, cronies, and other relatives, closed his eyes for the last time on August 16, 2012.  He is a dear soul who will be sweetly missed by all who were touched by his heart.

These are my recollections of him through grandchild eyes:

Grandpa was kind, easy going, and patient.  He was never quick to anger, if ever, and he would take as much time as necessary to teach anyone, any task, that he already knew how to perform.

You can see by the photos below that Grandpa had a ready smile and what you saw was what you got - he really was that happy and joyful, genuinely delighted to be alive.  His goofball humor and love of laughter was infectious.  It's because of him that my earliest memories of snow are coupled with a disk-like garbage can topper expedition down a slight hill, covered in snow, a la Clark "Grandpa" Griswold.

I learned most of my work ethic from my Mom, who learned her work ethic primarily from her Dad.  Grandpa was possibly the hardest working man that I've known, and he certainly was in my child's eyes throughout my maturation.  Grandpa built and repaired many things by his own shear talent, hands, and elbow grease, including a gorgeous retirement home in which I spent many entire summers.  During those summers, Grandpa and Grandma were my bosses as I learned how to labor long hours and interact with the public in their tourist town ice cream shop that served as a retirement "project."

Grandpa was a lover of information, books, and trivia.  Sharp as a whip, he spent many hours in retirement watching his "money shows" and logging data about his family's financials.  His political approach was simple:  "I have always had more money in the bank with a democrat in office."  He left everything else that politicians argue over to individuals and their own family values and decisions.

Lastly, but hardly in his entirety, he's what I term the perennial family man.  Grandpa was eternally devoted to his wife, his children, grandchildren, and extended family.  Like many in their golden years,  he merely wanted to be surrounded by loved ones, and for those loved ones to love and respect each other.  He would do anything he could to help his loved ones, even if it pained him.  I'll never forget, once, going into a tailspin upon seeing a harmless grass snake behind the house and insisting that Grandpa "kill that thing!"   I could see the regret on his face as and after he took a garden hoe to the creature after he couldn't convince my adolescent self that Sammy the Snake wanted nothing to do with us.  The takeaway from that, and many other actions he led by, for me, was do no harm, when none is warranted.

You are so missed, Grandpa, and our memories of you are 100% cherished.

Link to Grandpa's Online Tribute