Not ready to say goodbye...

Our family lost our dearly beloved grandfather last weekend.  I think I'm still in denial.  None of us were ready to let him go.  There was no other man quite like him.  He was full of life and positive energy.  Kind to his core.  Loyal and loving.  Equal parts strong and sensitive. An all around beautiful person.  

Today would have been his 90th birthday.  While my grief is weighing heavily, I'm truly overcome with gratefulness.  I'm so grateful I was lucky enough to call this man Grandpa and that my children got to know and love their GGPa.  

October 2012, dancing at Ashley & Paul's wedding in Sedona, AZ

I had the honor of writing his obituary...

 Charles George Grifall, adored husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away August 29^th after a brief illness.  Charlie was born September 8, 1924 in Fresno, California to George and Anna Grifall.  He spent the majority of his childhood in Mountain View, California, graduating from Mountain View High School in 1942.  He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Anne Kelly, in 1946.  They had four children and settled in Reno in 1958 where they celebrated their love of family and the outdoors.

Charlie enjoyed a successful career in trucking and forever put his patience and expertise to great use helping family, friends and neighbors fix just about anything.  Charlie loved to camp, fish, garden, entertain and travel.  Among his favorite places to visit were Skopelos, Greece, Alaska, Death Valley, and annual camping trips to Stampede Reservoir.  Although his favorite place on the map was likely his own backyard and workshop.  In recent years he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Nevada Council 978 and a member of the 4^th Degree.  He was also a previous Grand Knight and an active member of the Color Corp of the Reno Diocese. 

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Grifall, his son, Jim Grifall, daughters, Charlotte Callahan and Karen Sabo, five grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two brothers and one sister.  In addition to his parents and his older brother, his daughter, Linda Grifall, preceded him in death in 2008. 

 High School Graduation, 1942

Wedding Day, 1946

66 years later, 2012

                                                                             

He will be missed beyond measure and forever remembered for his kind heart and gentle, generous spirit.