Tribute to John Halcarz – R.I.P., Big John
Friday, May 30, 2008
Classmate friends of John Halcarz gathered last week to pay final respects to one of our own. And, many classmates, due to circumstances of time and distance, were unable to be present. Those who had the opportunity to reconnect with John and observe his undefeatable spirit, are experiencing the feeling of emptiness, remembering how a call to John to see how HE was doing, to cheer him up, always ended up with John making US feel better in return. He had such an appreciation for family and friends and the small joys of life that make up every day.
Over a dozen classmates attended the wake/funeral services for John and found closure in the special "celebration of John's life." Visit www.mem.com, (Making Everlasting Memories), then click on the box by LAST NAME and type Halcarz to view touching photos submitted by the family covering John's life, including a photo of classmates from our last Class Get-together back in May.
After Fr. Andrew Corona, a former teacher of John’s only son Andy, completed his eulogy, the 28-year old took the podium to speak about his father. What a wonderful tribute it was, mingled with laughter and tears. And, as Andy mentioned, with all the problems John faced and each new health crisis, he embraced life to the fullest! He accepted each new trial and always made the best of it. Even after his stroke 10 years ago, he was back at work (partially paralyzed), after only four months.
Describing his sister Beth, a social worker, Andy said that she has dad's kindness and caring for all people, the privileged AND the needy; that his sister Jill has our dad's humor and John was so proud of her when she got her degree in dentistry; and Andy said of himself, well, all I have to do is "look in the mirror" and I know what I got from my dad! He said when he was much younger, his dad would take him to the courthouse and show him around and everyone would say what a "spitting image" he was of his dad, and he said he'll always remember his dad's laughing response, "Oh, now, don't go telling the kid that - - give the kid a chance!” We’re sure that dad was especially proud of his son when Andy gave the valedictorian speech at his BNI graduation some 10 years ago.
Andy also said that his dad once told him that "some of the things you will do for FREE in this world will end up being the most important." He said that his dad kept a long ago copy of a newspaper article where he won a case of a 10-year-old girl being abused and he had her testify and they won the case and he kept that article, which was just an example of how he stood up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves and for those that couldn't afford to pay for what they needed.
Showing some of John's personality, Andy was "working the crowd" at the funeral home, talking to everyone and so anxious to hear stories, stories and more stories, not being afraid to often wipe away the tears, using the back of his big fist to just sorta drag the tears off the end of his face.
Yes, we will all be fine - - his family and friends - - and John will continue to live on through the memories that we all carry. Just thought we'd give classmate friends a "feel" for John's "celebration of life," and we're sure he would have been happy to see Class of '65'er friends getting together on his behalf. A bittersweet reunion of sorts.
If you wish to send along a note or tribute to Diana Halcarz about John, the e-mail is the same: dhalcarz@earthlink.net. May he rest in peace and may we all enjoy life while we have it, as John Halcarz tried so hard and so long to do! With all his health issues, we guess he did beat the odds for many years. We’re sure he'll be tellin' his stories in the Big Sky to everyone/anyone who'll listen and he’ll be puttin’ in a good word for all of us!!!
R.I.P., Big John
