August 21, 2022
 
Hey Aunty Peggy,
 
My Dad and Uncle just let me know about the passing of Uncle Jerry…Gong Gong. The “Gong Gong” is instinctual to say, I don’t even know what it means, even though I really want to say Uncle Jerry it just feels incomplete without it. The world feels a bit emptier right now, obviously because Uncle Jerry was an incredible human/father/grandfather/remodel/friend and best friend to my grandpa, but selfishly I always found it comforting knowing he was still causing mischief somewhere as sort of an extension of my grandpa cause to me they were one and the same. My childhood memories are absolutely littered with incredible memories of your father. He was wonderful right form the moment he greeted you like a long lost friend right up until he gave you a heart felt goodbye, genuinely one of the most delightfully engaging people I’ve ever known, even willing to entertain an 8 year old boy with hours long conversations…that takes determination. I saw your father all over the world but I’ll never forget the weeks we spent together in Grand Haven, we once spent a whole afternoon putting up the river in some river boat just talking about anything and everything getting extremely sunburned. Similarly, the last time I saw Uncle Jerry and my Grandfather is cemented in my mind, a goofy group of friends in their 90s drunk in Toledo laughing their asses off. Uncle Jerry’s relationship with my Grandpa was a wonderful union of our two families only to be rivaled by the incredible friendship you shared with my Mom. I must apologize since I haven’t been pulling my weight in keeping this amazing tradition alive. I don’t say it enough, I love you all so very much. Aunty Peggy, Uncle Phillip, Joshua, Luca you are all amazing and I’m so lucky to have you in my life. Every year I get older it dawns on me more and more just how special this relationship is and just how idiotic I am for not reaching out more…but no time like the present right? Anyways, how are y’all holding up? Uncle Tim said you were in Hong Kong at the moment. Just know that I’m thinking of you all and when you feel up for it I would love do a Zoom call so I can see you with my own eyes. Until then my sincerest of condolences.

Love, 

Noah