Pa_the_Woodworker

I was born (at a very early age) on a sub-marine iron ore mining town on the southeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Our 6 x 2.5 mile island was visited twice in 1942 by German U-boats (U-513 & U-518), which sank four oar ships and killed 60 men.

Descended from Irish folks who left the Munster and Leinster Regions in the early to mid 1700's, I am the son of a WWII veteran and mining electrician who sired seven youngsters before realizing what caused them. My grandfather and great grandfather were woodworkers who passed their need to make sawdust onto me.

My identity was forever changed when my first granddaughter started talking. She called me "Pa"; and it stuck. I recon in her mind it was easier to say and later on, it was easier to spell. To this day, Brianna claims she named me.

I am now blessed with five granddaughters and two female grand-dogs. My family ranking is somewhere below the dogs. With all this girl power around me, I usually sit quietly on the side and wait for instructions. I often remind myself, "A great command of the English language is often demonstrated by the person who says nothing."

My bride of 48 years insisted I retire May 2019. It turned out she needed a gopher and chauffeur. I was so not ready. Even though my past is greater than my future, I never thought of myself as a retiree. I enjoyed my life as a road warrior in the SAP Human Resources business. In the back of my mind, I figured I would be rolled to the curb on compost day when I met my maker.

So, to pass the time, I decided to make legacy toys for all my granddaughters. I hope they will pass them on to their descendants and tell them about me.

-- When you're not hansome, it pays to be handy -- Pa