William Dones

William was born on 10 August 1931; a man whose smile would light up a room. He was a kind and generous man and a person Nestor, Dee Dee and I try to emulate in every way. He came from humble beginnings raised on a farm in Puerto Rico. He lost his hand in a terrible industrial accident in his early twenties, yet he never complained or felt sorry for himself and it never stopped him from enjoying life and working hard to provide for his family. He loved his daughter, Dee Dee, his sons, Nestor and me, his son-in-law, Marc, his daughters-in –law, Dalair and Mary, his grandchildren, Chardy, Collin, Nicole, Robbie, and Joey, all his friends, the Cubs, and especially his wife. Married for 59 years, he would say his only regret was not meeting his wife sooner. A handsome man who never worked hard for a date, he found his match in his future wife, Carmen. She challenged and intrigued him, driving him to please her and take care of her. He listened to everything she told him, making him appear whipped, but he was ok with this because she was the love of his life. He helped raise his children and was a disciplinarian, but only when my mom told him to be. He demanded we respect our elders and family, and if we didn’t we paid the price. He taught us grandparents were sacred and my siblings and I passed this on to our own children. We loved hearing our friends say my mom and dad were cool, and wished my dad was their dad. He became everyone’s dad. If he learned someone didn’t have a dad, he volunteered. After hearing a young lady in his CVS, his favorite place by the way, of which he was mayor, grandfather had passed, he assured her HE would be her grandfather from now on. He laughed a lot and most recently loved watching a YouTube video with a kid talking to his mom. He watched this Linda, Linda video at least a hundred times and I know that little kid did more to help him through this time than any medicine ever did or could. We feel fortunate we were able to care for him for the last 3 years. We will remember and cherish this time we spent together for the rest of our lives. He leaves a lasting legacy of friendship, kindness, respect and love for everyone he met or who crossed his path. This is how those who knew William Dones will always remember him.As he joins my mom and the rest of his family in heaven, we know he is looking down on all of us and smiling, because that’s Willie. We will miss him and love him always.

William Dones

August 10, 1931 - May 27, 2015