Wayne & Jackie 1962

In Memory of

     We had over 40 years together.  We had5 terrific children and throughout those years we  shared many, many memories, too many to list.  But, Wayne was a wonderful provider and a wonderful father.  He gave so much of himself to all of us he was never selfish with whatever he had.  He was a Navy man...he loved the Navy and he loved his country.

     Our journey started in 1962 when I was 17 and a senior in High School and he was 29 working at the hardware store in Salamanca.  The picture you see first was taken at my graduation in June of 1962.  We became engaged 3 years later and were married on Saturday, September 4, 1965.

     Our life together was immediately changed when our first son Scott arrived on July 25, 1966.Our second son, Michael arrived on January 1, 1968.  Our third son, Jack on May 28, 1969, our fourth son, Larry on July 29, 1971 and our daughter, Jaimee on January 29, 1976.  Our lives were full every moment with our five children.  Wayne was such a terrific dad.  He was the one who got them all bathed and ready for bed at night.  When the boys were in the tub together, he would call in and make them all say "weatherby" so we knew that they were ok.

     He would often talk about how we all were together at mealtimes.  It was a time that we all shared a lot and was something that he cherished...every moment with his children.  He went out one afternoon and laid a concrete pad.  Returning home exhausted, he sat down on the kitchen floor and gave me the money to go buy new shoes for everyone.  When Fanchers went bankrupt he sold his prize hunting rifles to buy food and pay bills.  There was nothing he would not do for his family.

     On Friday, October 17, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Monday morning, October 20 , God sent Chuck Ebert to talk with him.  It was at this time that Wayne who had been adverse to salvation many times before, accepted Jesus Christ into his heart.  He was ready.  God knew that and gave him the last chance...the one chance that would secure his place in Heaven.  God knew that by Monday afternoon Wayne would be unresponsive and unable to make that decision.  He was in a coma and on a respirator at Millard Filmore Hospital in Buffalo and after we all spent our time with him, speaking to him, we had the tube removed, we said our good-byes and God took him home 25 minutes later.  I had whispered to him "Say hi to my friend, Patti."

     As I said in the beginning there are so many memories...and they are best left for us to share.  We miss you Wayne, we loved you Dad, our lives seem so empty now so we are thankful for all the times we can remember and share.  We know where you are...you are not lost to us.

Born January 16, 1933...Died October 20, 2008

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