To my beloved Dad

This is just a small simpit of my beloved Dad’s life. I being the eldest child and grandchild I have memories which my other sibling have no recollection of or do not remember these special things about my dad. (Eugene)

This one is about the musical side of dad. When dad was a young boy his mother (Elsie) played the piano all by ear and could not read a note of sheet music. Boy could that woman pound out some great old tunes on the piano. Grandma taught dad how to play a couple of meaningful pieces. This one has great meaning for my dad and I will remember this awesome song forever. The song (Girl Of My Dreams)

When grandma’s piano was moved from their place to dad’s back when we were young, dad on many an occasions would be found down in the basement playing this tune and singing out the words. My dad back then had a very good voice. On many special occasion dad would serenade this song ( Girl Of My Dreams) to mom on their special day being June 24th. This always brought a smile to mom's face and a big hug and kiss planted on dad’s face on completion of the tune.

One very special occasion in which I had direct input was when I was working for Phillips Cables Ltd. Brockville Power Products Division and was in Corporate Engineering Dept of the company. I was the construction electrical project engineering manager for the company's first US plant being Watertown NY. off highway #81. It was the time frame of June-24th, 1981. I had booked a getaway package for mom and dad and I and my wife for a two day special anniversary ordeal at the Marriot Hotel in Syracuse NY. I picked up mom and dad and drove them with me and Linda down to Syracuse not telling them what was up until we got to the hotel. Mom and dad were both thrilled that I would take the time out from my busy work schedule to make arrangements and pay for all expenses for this special occasion. I was extremely proud to provide such a happy occasion in their lives at that point in time.

Two weeks prior I contacted the hotel general manager and explained the special situation I had planned. That weekend there was a five man jazz band playing in the hotel lounge. I got to talk to the band manager and requested if they could play this very special song for my mom and dad. It was a saturday evening around 11:00pm the band just came back from a break and announced on their sound system that they had the privilege of having a loving couple staying at the hotel for a very special occasion being a 30th anniversary from Prescott, Ontario, Canada. The band leader announced the couple of Eugene and Betty Countryman was requested to come to the dance floor for a very special dance to be played for them. I brought both mom and dad to the front dance floor then kissed them both and said this is all for you with much love. The band started playing ( Girl Of My Dreams ) and my dad’s eyes lit up like a christmas tree. He winked at me and mouthed the words I love you son then dad took mom’s arm so sweetly and they danced around the dance floor while the band played the song twice for them. The lounge was fairly full that night and after that tune finished I had the band play a number of 40ish tunes for mom and dad to jitterbug too. It was with such joy for me to watch the two of them reliving some great dancing times of their youth together. I am telling you after the first jitterbug song completed and the band started into the second set the whole lounge was on there feet watching and cheering them on. What a beautiful couple on the floor watching my parents loving every beat and every turn and boy could their tear the floor up doing the jitterbug. So awesome to watch the two of them both with the biggest smiles I have ever seen on the loving faces. This was not just a privilege for me to do such an awesome thing for my parents but an honor to know I brought a time in their lives they would both would remember until the end of time. Now Dad take Moms hand and jitterbug onto the floor of heaven forever in time.

https://youtu.be/4k70yYQSc9w, This One Is For You Dad.

I love and miss you both: Your Loving Son: Paul xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox