Premier Senior Living Community
Premier Senior Living Community
Alzheimer's & Dementia Specialty Care
NEWSLETTER
Stories about Dad
June is here!
This June, we’re taking time to recognize the fathers and father figures who’ve influenced our lives in meaningful ways.
To celebrate Father’s Day, our residents are sharing memories and stories about their dads—moments that shaped them and still bring a smile!
“My daddy was a fireman on the railroads in Chicago. He was gone for sometimes days or weeks at a time but when he was home, he was all ours. We didn’t have any money but we had lots of love – nothing can compare to love, especially from your parents. Daddy was fun, a sweetheart, and affectionate. We used to take a brown paper bag and fill it with popcorn and go off to the drive-in. Or he’d just sit with me and color – it’s the little things we did together.”
Gene grew up knowing that his father had served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a navigator aboard a B-24 bomber and had been shot down during one of his missions—an accident that left him with the loss of an eye and two fingers. Despite these injuries, Gene’s father returned home, raised a family, and lived a full life in Pekin, Illinois. But it wasn’t until two weeks after his father’s funeral that Gene discovered the true extent of his father’s heroism.
After reviving his father’s service record, Gene learned that his dad had been awarded three Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, a Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Purple Hearts—high honors that he had never spoken of. “I wish I’d known about all that while he was still alive,” Gene said, a note of emotion in his voice. “But I’m so proud of him, and I love telling his story.”
Gene’s father was laid to rest at Camp Butler National Cemetery with full military honors. It was a fitting tribute to a man who had served his country with distinction and lived with quiet dignity.
After retiring from the military, Gene’s father returned to Pekin and took a job with the local police department. With a smirk, Gene shared that his father became “the most hated man in Pekin”—because he was in charge of the parking meters! In addition to issuing tickets, he maintained all the equipment, earning a reputation that was both notorious and fondly remembered.
Through laughter and reflection, Gene’s admiration for his father was clear. “He never talked much about what he did,” Gene said. “But he was a good man. A real hero.”
“When I was a little girl, my foster sister and I were outside playing in and around my dad’s prized Model A. Now, we knew we were not supposed to be around Dad’s car, so unbeknownst to us, he had spotted us from the field he was working in. Next thing we knew, there was Dad, telling us to get on top of that car and just sit there ’til I tell you both to get down! Well… in the meantime, it started to pour rain! Needless to say, there were two soaked little girls that day!”
“I remember sitting on his lap and he would give me the biggest hug and tell me he loves me! He had an old Model T with a rumble seat in the back and my uncle and dad would take us on rides! He was so happy when I got married and was so excited that his first grandson was born on his anniversary and we gave our son his name!”
Jack shared how much his dad influenced him, teaching him everything from farming techniques to valuable life lessons. His father was incredibly meticulous—especially when it came to farming—always focused on producing excellent yields and reaping the rewards of hard work. He constantly encouraged Jack to do his best and took great pride in their land.
Jack remembers his dad as enthusiastic and a respectful farmer, always full of energy, often yelling, “Jack, let’s go farm!” to get him excited about the work. Jack started helping in the fields at just seven years old, planting corn alongside his dad, who would watch proudly from his tractor for hours. Sadly, his father passed away before Jack could take over Swartz Farms.
“I had a really special relationship with my dad. He was marvelous and understanding and we always did everything together. He seemed to know what I was thinking and would even take me along to work with him. He was always there for me, I never had to look for him.”
“I was adopted as a baby, and my mom and dad always made me feel loved and wanted. They had tried for years to have a child, and after they adopted me, they had three children right in a row! Both of my parents were pharmacists, and back in those days, it was frowned upon for women to work in a retail environment, so my mother was a pharmacist in a hospital. I grew up and became a pharmacist myself, and that career lasted all of my working years. And the funny thing is, the activity director Tanya used to come into my store with her dad and drink cherry Cokes!”
“My dad was an artist. I used to sit and watch him paint for hours! He was a great man!”
“I was about four years old in this photo, taken in 1942 in front of Aunt Rose’s beauty salon in Detroit. My dad, who was Lithuanian, passed away from TB in 1944. He loved making spicy chili and playing catch with my brother Frank. That’s Aunt Rose—my dad’s sister—and her friend Helen Zine, wearing the fur collar.”
As we celebrate the wisdom and support our fathers gave us, it’s also a great time to offer support to those navigating big decisions for their own loved ones. Whether you’re just starting to explore senior living or have questions about the process, our latest blog post, “FAQs: Understanding Senior Living,” is a helpful resource. From levels of care to daily life in our communities, we’re answering the most common questions to help you feel confident and informed.
FAQs: Understanding Senior Living
Click on the location below for more information or to contact an advisor today.
OPENING 2022
OPENING 2022
