Memorials
Celebration
of the Life of
Harry Sylvanus King
1922-1997
Harry King during WWII
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Pat and Harry on their Anniversary
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Pat and Harry King
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For those of you who do not know me, my name is Barry and I am Harry's oldest son. I have been doing public speaking now for over 25 years - Today I will share with you the most important and most difficult speech of my life. Since it is impossible to encapsulate a lifetime of love and joy into a few moments, I would like to share with you a few thoughts.
Today, heaven is a happier place because my father is there. Heaven has gained a man, a wonderful spirit - full of life and joy. Heaven has gained a man. a spirit - so filled with love that all who knew him - loved him and were richer for it. The Heaven world and those who went before him have welcomed him home. Heaven's gain is our loss.
I hope that he has time to enjoy heaven since I know he will be busy looking after us from the other side. He will be busy watching over mom to make sure that she's OK. That has always been a priority for him. He has always put us first and tried to teach us stuff. He will always be busy making sure that Brad wears his boots so he won't freeze his feet. He will also remind Lisa to cheek the oil in her car. I'm sure that he has a recipe book all picked out to help Kathy to learn how to make the best spaghetti in the world and maybe even something else. For me, I can already hear him telling me how a car works and how to fix it. I have never been good with cars.
Today I am thankful for the certain knowledge that 1 will see my Dad again but it is hard to say good-bye to someone who was always there. To someone, who was the foundation on which your life is built. My father - was a great builder. His love has built such a strong foundation, that we - his family, will never fail. We as a family are sustained by the love we feel for each other and the knowledge that we can do anything we set our minds to do. He has left us with a legacy of gentle strength and compassion. We will celebrate him with each breath. Each time 1 look in a mirror, I do and will always see my father looking out. It is with pride that I say that I am Harry's son and that he will always be part of me.
All of his children - Kathy, Brad, Lisa and myself - thank God for our time with our Dad and the privilege of growing up surrounded by both his and mom's love. He chose to stay with us in this life for a long time and for that we are thankful. We had him here until he was 75. We were so lucky.
My father was a good man. He was a kind and loving man. He was gentle and caring and always wanted the best for us. He had a great sense of humour. He did at times have a tendency to worry a bit too much. I suspect that some of you might know what I mean by that. I think it might be genetic because I sometimes find that I am worrying too. And do you know what - I see Brad, Lisa and Kathy all doing the same thing. We are all chips off the old block. But we worry because he and mom taught us to care. To care about others, to care about each other and to care about ourselves.
Dad had a great sense of humour. That twinkle in his eye and his smile were always near. Brad has inherited dad's sense of humour. If you don't believe me talk to him for a while. Both Dad and Brad have the ability to make friends anywhere and easily.
One thing that we did not inherit from our father was his skill as a carpenter. He could build anything. Dad built his house in Timberlea and fortunately one of his adopted sons - Glen did have carpentry skills and worked side by side with him until it was done. That was a special gift that Glen gave Dad.
My father loved his family unconditionally. No matter what, we could count on him to be there to support us. He always put us first no matter what. I have seen him get up in the middle of the night to make sure that I got up to catch a plane or to say good-bye when I left on a trip. Buying presents for Dad was always difficult because all he ever wanted was for us to be happy. All he needed - all he wanted - was us. Material things meant very little to him. He never understood people who put material things ahead of love. My father was a good teacher and he taught us by example. I hope we learned his lessons well because I want to be like him.
I can't think about my father without thinking about my mother. They were such a great team. They loved each other so much and were the best of friends. They spent a lifetime together. Mom, I just want you to know how much we love you and how you and Dad gave us such great models of how to live. Your strength and courage has helped us all to deal with dad's passing.
Dad has left us all with a lifetime of fond memories. I'd like to share with you a few stories.
Dad and mom were always thinking of us. A number of years ago - the first Christmas after Nicole was born - Kathy and Glenn called and said they couldn't make it in for Christmas dinner because Nicole was sick. It was a nasty stormy night and at about 7 O'clock Kathy and Glenn heard a knock at the door. It was Mom and Dad. They had brought supper out to them. Dad said that he couldn't see them going without Christens dinner. There was lots.
Kathy was always bring home stray animals. Dad would always kick up quite a fuss, but he got really attached really easily. I can still see him feeding Pussy Willow - one of those stray cats with an eye dropper when it got sick. When she died he was as upset as anyone.
One Christmas, I got a red farm set. I had that farm set for years. 1 really loved it. We didn't have a lot of money but Dad had spent many nights downstairs in the basement making me that farm set. I wish I had it today. My father was a very thoughtful man.
Dad was always worrying about Lisa's car. He would spend hours checking it and repairing it to make sure that it was safe for her to drive.
A memory that many of us share is the last time we were all together. It was about a month ago when we celebrated Dad's 75th birthday. We all had a wonderful time. After it was all over Dad said: "I can't get over the fact that all those people would come just to see me. "
We all love you Dad and we are going to miss you. I hope the fishing is good in heaven.
All my Love
Your Son, Barry
Today, heaven is a happier place because my father is there. Heaven has gained a man, a wonderful spirit - full of life and joy. Heaven has gained a man. a spirit - so filled with love that all who knew him - loved him and were richer for it. The Heaven world and those who went before him have welcomed him home. Heaven's gain is our loss.
I hope that he has time to enjoy heaven since I know he will be busy looking after us from the other side. He will be busy watching over mom to make sure that she's OK. That has always been a priority for him. He has always put us first and tried to teach us stuff. He will always be busy making sure that Brad wears his boots so he won't freeze his feet. He will also remind Lisa to cheek the oil in her car. I'm sure that he has a recipe book all picked out to help Kathy to learn how to make the best spaghetti in the world and maybe even something else. For me, I can already hear him telling me how a car works and how to fix it. I have never been good with cars.
Today I am thankful for the certain knowledge that 1 will see my Dad again but it is hard to say good-bye to someone who was always there. To someone, who was the foundation on which your life is built. My father - was a great builder. His love has built such a strong foundation, that we - his family, will never fail. We as a family are sustained by the love we feel for each other and the knowledge that we can do anything we set our minds to do. He has left us with a legacy of gentle strength and compassion. We will celebrate him with each breath. Each time 1 look in a mirror, I do and will always see my father looking out. It is with pride that I say that I am Harry's son and that he will always be part of me.
All of his children - Kathy, Brad, Lisa and myself - thank God for our time with our Dad and the privilege of growing up surrounded by both his and mom's love. He chose to stay with us in this life for a long time and for that we are thankful. We had him here until he was 75. We were so lucky.
My father was a good man. He was a kind and loving man. He was gentle and caring and always wanted the best for us. He had a great sense of humour. He did at times have a tendency to worry a bit too much. I suspect that some of you might know what I mean by that. I think it might be genetic because I sometimes find that I am worrying too. And do you know what - I see Brad, Lisa and Kathy all doing the same thing. We are all chips off the old block. But we worry because he and mom taught us to care. To care about others, to care about each other and to care about ourselves.
Dad had a great sense of humour. That twinkle in his eye and his smile were always near. Brad has inherited dad's sense of humour. If you don't believe me talk to him for a while. Both Dad and Brad have the ability to make friends anywhere and easily.
One thing that we did not inherit from our father was his skill as a carpenter. He could build anything. Dad built his house in Timberlea and fortunately one of his adopted sons - Glen did have carpentry skills and worked side by side with him until it was done. That was a special gift that Glen gave Dad.
My father loved his family unconditionally. No matter what, we could count on him to be there to support us. He always put us first no matter what. I have seen him get up in the middle of the night to make sure that I got up to catch a plane or to say good-bye when I left on a trip. Buying presents for Dad was always difficult because all he ever wanted was for us to be happy. All he needed - all he wanted - was us. Material things meant very little to him. He never understood people who put material things ahead of love. My father was a good teacher and he taught us by example. I hope we learned his lessons well because I want to be like him.
I can't think about my father without thinking about my mother. They were such a great team. They loved each other so much and were the best of friends. They spent a lifetime together. Mom, I just want you to know how much we love you and how you and Dad gave us such great models of how to live. Your strength and courage has helped us all to deal with dad's passing.
Dad has left us all with a lifetime of fond memories. I'd like to share with you a few stories.
Dad and mom were always thinking of us. A number of years ago - the first Christmas after Nicole was born - Kathy and Glenn called and said they couldn't make it in for Christmas dinner because Nicole was sick. It was a nasty stormy night and at about 7 O'clock Kathy and Glenn heard a knock at the door. It was Mom and Dad. They had brought supper out to them. Dad said that he couldn't see them going without Christens dinner. There was lots.
Kathy was always bring home stray animals. Dad would always kick up quite a fuss, but he got really attached really easily. I can still see him feeding Pussy Willow - one of those stray cats with an eye dropper when it got sick. When she died he was as upset as anyone.
One Christmas, I got a red farm set. I had that farm set for years. 1 really loved it. We didn't have a lot of money but Dad had spent many nights downstairs in the basement making me that farm set. I wish I had it today. My father was a very thoughtful man.
Dad was always worrying about Lisa's car. He would spend hours checking it and repairing it to make sure that it was safe for her to drive.
A memory that many of us share is the last time we were all together. It was about a month ago when we celebrated Dad's 75th birthday. We all had a wonderful time. After it was all over Dad said: "I can't get over the fact that all those people would come just to see me. "
We all love you Dad and we are going to miss you. I hope the fishing is good in heaven.
All my Love
Your Son, Barry
The King Family
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Dad on his 75th Birthday.
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And now we will hear from Mike Keefe, Harry's son-in-law:
I'm here today t.o say a few words on behalf of Harry's OTHER children: Glenn, Sandi, Tracey and me, Mike. That's how he treated us, like we were his kids. While it would have been normal for him to treat us like we were just the boyfriend or girlfriend, the husband or wife of one of his kids, he didn't. He was our father too.
He loved us just as much, worried about us just as much, was just as proud of us, and, on a few - very rare occasions, got just as angry with us.
And, he made sure that we heard ALL of his stories at least twice. That's why his passing is so hard for us as well. If we didn't like him, it would be a little easier. But we didn't just like him, we LOVED him.
I know that he is in a better place now, and he's probably building a bird feeder or oiling the hinges on the gates of Heaven. But we all miss him so much. We're all better people for having known Harry, for loving him and being loved by him.
Good-bye Dad. We love you.
Mike
I'm here today t.o say a few words on behalf of Harry's OTHER children: Glenn, Sandi, Tracey and me, Mike. That's how he treated us, like we were his kids. While it would have been normal for him to treat us like we were just the boyfriend or girlfriend, the husband or wife of one of his kids, he didn't. He was our father too.
He loved us just as much, worried about us just as much, was just as proud of us, and, on a few - very rare occasions, got just as angry with us.
And, he made sure that we heard ALL of his stories at least twice. That's why his passing is so hard for us as well. If we didn't like him, it would be a little easier. But we didn't just like him, we LOVED him.
I know that he is in a better place now, and he's probably building a bird feeder or oiling the hinges on the gates of Heaven. But we all miss him so much. We're all better people for having known Harry, for loving him and being loved by him.
Good-bye Dad. We love you.
Mike
