Heidi E. Brenneke
Born:  New Bedford, MA, 31 Dec 1959
Married:  Robert J. Nunes, 20 Oct 1984
Resides:  North Dartmouth, MA

My Dad

There will never be anyone like my dad.
Serious one moment and cracking jokes the next. His laughter could fill a room.

Father to three girls, food broker, and professional dog groomer
All hats that Dad wore very proudly.
Never a man who could sit for very long, always busy puttering about.When he did sit, it would be at his desk to pay bills or to try and work with his computer! He always insisted there were little people in his computer that made it not work properly, it couldn't possibly be something he had done to make it not work the right way. Saturdays would be spent in the cellar clipping dog after dog earning extra money to be able to run the house or take a fun filled trip to one of our cousins’ houses in New York or Maryland when we were younger. After his retirement Dad found a great love in his church. He worked hard raising the funds to restore the beautiful bells in the tower and learning to play them. This past Christmas Eve on our way home from a party my husband and I stopped in front of the church and listened as my Dad played his heart out, it was truly beautiful and something I will never forget. Learning he was to become a grandfather on Christmas Day of 2001 was a very special moment for Dad.  Opening a small package containing an ornament which informed us all we would soon have a new member of the family. Dad and I acted like crazy people jumping up and down, that is a truly great memory. Seeing the joy in his face when holding his first grandchild Julia in his arms is such a special memory Dad gave me encouragement throughout my own illnesses and made me smile with his jokes. He would drop by occasionally in his ill-fated gray Buick, that darned car caused him more grief. It was just Dads luck to have it stolen twice!Throughout his long illness Dad showed much courage and bravery something he showed fighting in two wars.As the end approached he never lost his sense of humor, joking with me as I shaved him or giving me a hard time as I tried to whet his appetite with one of my endless culinary concoctions.  He would complain to me about the “rules” I had set for him, one, which meant actually walking with his walker and not just dragging it alongside of him.  I am fortunate to have spent so much time in the last few months with my Dad; we were able to grow very close.  His thanks were not needed but something he showered on me daily when I would help him.His last days in the hospital would contain a few good ones where we all as a family came together.  As always he was surrounded by his girls…not being able to get a word in edgewise.We were blessed in being given the gift of telling our Dad how much we loved him and the very difficult job of telling him it was time to leave us and go to a more beautiful and pain free place.

I can picture in my mind the expression on Dads face as he entered Heaven.  A huge smile followed by one of his jovial laughs as he was greeted by many of his beloved poodles who had been waiting for him so long.

I will miss my dad
Loving him always and so grateful that he was mine.

Good Bye Dad

Laurie J. Brenneke
Born:  New Bedford, MA, 18 Mar 1963
Married:  James H. Rollins, 18 Feb 1983
Resides:  Acushnet, MA

My Dad

My dad was many things, a good father, hard worker, faithful friend.  He was a very sociable person and a great public speaker.  When I was in grade school, dad stood before my class and spoke of his experiences as a guard during the Nuremberg War Crime Trials of World War II.  I admired my dad’s bravery to be able to stand before a group of people, keeping them transfixed on his every word as he’d speak calmly and intelligently.  Unfortunately, I did not inherit my dad’s confidence in public speaking, but I know he is proud of me today as I stand before family and friends and push my anxieties and insecurities aside to pay homage to his memory.

It wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized just how hard my dad worked during my childhood to provide a home for his family and to put food on the table.  As I think back over the years, I am in awe of the pace he kept and the fact that he never once complained. Growing up I remember dad always being the first one up in the morning and slipping out the door before I even got out of bed to go to school.  He’d come home sometime around 5:30 or 6:00, eat a quick dinner, and head down cellar to clip a dog that would arrive at 7:30.  He’d finish grooming around 9:00 and sit at his desk doing paperwork till 10:00 or 10:30.  Then he’d slip into his easy chair in the living room to read the paper.  And when I’d go to kiss him goodnight around 11:00, he’d be fast asleep.  Being young and naïve, I was clueless as to why my dad was so tired every night.Dad’s weekends were a whirlwind.  On Saturdays he’d groom four dogs.  If there was a lull between customers, he’d slip out into the yard to get a head start on Sunday’s work which usually consisted of house maintenance or piddling around in the yard.  Because of the hectic schedule my dad kept, I don’t have many memories of him playing games with me or my sisters.  There just wasn’t enough time.  But I knew he was there for me, he loved me, and that didn’t stop me from engaging my dad in one of my own games despite the fact he didn’t even know he was playing. Sometimes I’d be down in the cellar roller skating while dad was clipping a dog.  He’d look at me and smile and I’d smile back.  No words were exchanged, we just enjoyed each other’s company.  On occasion, I’d sneak up behind him and hook a dog leash onto his belt loop and I’d leave it there until someone enlightened him to the fact that he had a tail.  And, of course, there was always the “Kick me” or “Honk” post-it note that I’d manage to stick on the back of his shirt with my stealth-like skills.  When one of dad’s customers would let dad in on the joke, he’d just say, “Oh, my daughter has been up to it again.”  He never got angry, and I think he was happy that he’d managed to not only entertain me, but get his work done as well.Of course, there was that one weekend afternoon my dad allowed himself the luxury of a nap on the couch, which was located alongside the staircase.  Close by on the coffee table was a vase containing a bouquet of bittersweet.  My dad’s mouth was wide open as he enjoyed this rare afternoon siesta.  My sister Heidi and I, young, silly and stupid, had the bright idea of hanging over the staircase railing as we tried to score points by dropping bittersweet into dad’s open mouth.  Fortunately, we both had really bad aim, and the bittersweet ricocheting off dad’s glasses woke him up.  Seeing our smiling cherub-like faces looming overhead and the tiny bittersweet scattered all over the couch and floor, it didn’t take my dad but two seconds to know what we’d been up to.  Let’s just say dad wasn’t too happy to learn of his role in our fun, and Heidi and I never played that game again.
 
Throughout my dad’s illness, he remained strong and he fought a long, hard battle.  He made it clear he was not afraid of dying but of suffering.  Unfortunately, my dad did suffer, but I’m proud of the way he battled against this horrible disease, and I admire his bravery.  On behalf of my dad, I want to thank those of you who offered your friendship, support, and prayers.  The cards, e-mails, letters, and phone calls helped to brighten many a dark day.  And the cookies, pies, heart-shaped Jell-O, and the corned-beef-and-cabbage dinner touched my dad’s heart in a way that simple words cannot describe.  It is important that you know that your thoughtfulness made a difference at a time when it was so desperately needed.To my dad I’d like to say that as your daughter, the place in my life you once filled will forever remain empty; however, I will always have my memories and the promise that one day we will be reunited. From one former soldier to another, carry on free at last from all your pain and suffering.  I wish you well on your journey, I love you, and I salute you.

By Laurie J. Rollins

--Julia A. Vieira
   Born:  Providence, RI, 14 Jul 2002

At the funeral Dayna brought butterflies to be released by all family members and these are the poems she read:

Butterfly Indian Legend

If anyone desires a wish to come true they must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.

Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who sees and hears all.In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit will always grant the wish.

So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens to be granted

While Waiting for Thee

Don't weep at my grave,
for I am not there,
I've a date with a butterfly
To dance in the air.
I'll be singing in the sunshine,
Wild and free,
Playing tag with the wind,
While I'm waiting for thee.

I Am Always With You

When I am gone, release me, let me go.

I have so many things to see and do,

You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears, but be thankful we had so many good years.

I gave you my love, and you can only guess how much you've given me in happiness.

I thank you for the love that you have shown,but now it is time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must then let your grief be comforted by trust
that it is only for a while that we must part,so treasure the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away for life goes on.

And if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near.
and if you listen with your heart, you'll hear all my love around you soft and clear

And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a
"Welcome Home".