This picture was taken back in May, the last time I visited with Grandpa Paul. He still lived, semi-selfsufficently in a little house, with various family members living in same small town checking in on him throughout the day.

A month or so ago when his deteriorating health made it clear that he wasn't going to be able to live outside a hosptial or nursing home anymore, he reportedly said, "Well, I guess the dance is over."

According to his obituary he was 86 years old. He's survived by nine sons (including my father) and their spouses. I can never remember exactly how many cousins I have, I've lost track, which is sort of terrible of me, but apparently he has "38 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren." Wow.

Mom: [via text] "Grandpa's brother Tom was looking at pics when grandpa was young and in navy - he said that grandpa thought he was God's gift to women - Tom's wife Mary said "he was"