Gina's dad is gone

I just heard from Gina that her father passed away just now:

Anthony J. "Nino" Spatafore, May 6, 1933 -- Feb. 25, 2009

I know how much the concern so many of you have expressed as she and her family have gone through this time has meant to her. She says she won't be around much for the next few days, but don't think for a minute that means she isn't feeling your thoughts and kindness -- she is.

And to Gina from all of us here at Pet Connection, you're in our thoughts and hearts. I know you hate the mushy stuff so I'll just stop there.

Photo: Anthony J. "Nino" Spatafore. Publicity still, San Jose Red Sox, 1954 (Minor league team for Boston).

Comments

[Jason Merrihew]

Gina, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Tim Buck]

Gina,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

[Feline]

So sorry for your loss, Gina. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

[Anne T]

My sincere sympathy, thoughts and prayers as well.

[VJ]

God bless, Gina and family. Your father is now on the Other Side watching over you and yours.

[Russell]

Nadine and I share your sense of loss. Peace of the Lord be with you and strengthen you for the living of these days.

[Cait]

Gina,



Prayers and good thoughts for your family.

[Sue Cosby]

So sorry for your loss

[Selma]

I'm so sorry, Gina.



Daughters and Dads. It's a tough one.

[JenniferJ]

Sorry, so sorry for your loss



We will be keeping you and your family in our thoughts

[Eucritta]

{{{hugs}}}

[Colorado Transplant]

Just want to know, Gina, is it the Orange Squirt's birthday yet?



It was such a beautiful picture of Ilario that you posted.



He looks like an impish treasure. I wonder how his playmate sees him.

[Gina Spadafori]

Yes, the King of Orange is now a year old. I will try to get a good "grown-up" picture of him for posting.



He and Clara love to play. But he ALWAYS loves to play, and sometimes she does not want to play. Other than those hissy occasions, they get along quite well. And the dogs and cats all get along well, too.

[Patti S.]

You & your family are in my thoughts.

[Cindy R]

Gina, I'm so sorry for your loss. Three years ago my dad died, like yours at home, peaceful, and surrounded by love. That was a great gift from the universe for which I'm continually grateful. You're in my heart and prayers.

[Rob]

Gina, we are so very sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in our prayers.

[Lis]

Gina, I'm very sorry.

[Lisa]

Gina--



We who read you care about you and your loss--how could we not?



Lisa in Cape May County, NJ

[Curtis]

Gina, so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you.

[Karen Nichols]

Gina, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. We're sending lots of purrs and hugs your way.

[Therese]

You and your family are in my thoughts, Gina.

[Marcy]

Gina, my prayers are with you and your family.

[Leslie K]

I am so sorry for your loss Gina. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

[Kathy]

My sincerest condolences on the loss of your father. It is a great legacy to be so loved.

[Liz]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Gina. My thoughts are with you and your family.

[cerridwen]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad, Gina. I hope that all your loved ones - people and pets - continue to be source of comfort to you in the coming days.

Jeannine

[Amy]

Thinking of you and your family, Gina.

[EmilyS]

I am so sorry for your loss. All my sympathy

EmilyS

[Kathy B]

Gina,

I will hold you & your family in my heart. I am so sorry for your loss.

Kathy

[Dorene]

Our prayers and sympathy with you and your family, Gina.

[The OTHER Pat]

Please know you and your family are in my thoughts. Sending many {{{{{hugs}}}}}

[Colorado Transplant]

A big star has gone up tonight.



The picture is from my hometown. In the picture, your father has this gentle yet strong look. He must have had quite a swing when at bat.



Thanks for the picture, Christie.



Gina, as said in an earlier post (by VJ), your father will be on the OTHER SIDE watching over you and yours.

[Susan Fox]

Sincerest condolences, Gina.

[Carol V]

Gina, I am sorry to hear of your Dad's passing.

My prayers are with you and your family.

[Lori]

::hugs::

Take as much time as you need.

[Catherine]

Gina, So very sorry to read the news.

[Gina Spadafori]

Thank you, everyone. He was a wonderful father, and I will miss him very, very much.



This morning I'm mostly feeling relief that his death was at home, surrounded by love, pain-free, dignified and relatively swift.



His was a good life, and a good death. That's what I would wish for us all.

[Jess]

My condolences.

[Lori T.]

You and your family are in my thoughts.

[Dutch]

Our thoughts are with you and your family.

[Alena]

Gina, my prayers are with you. i just lost my mom in Dec.I want you to know that God's loving arms are around you for only he knows how to comfort us in these times.His Presence and Love goes beyond what us humans can give.But, He gives us wonderfull friends like all these that are sending you prayers and comforting words. Love Alena

PSALM 29;11

THE LORD WILL GIVE STRENGHT UNTO HIS PEOPLE;THE LORD WILL BLESS HIS PEOPLE WITH PEACE.

[Marie]

Gina, I am sorry for your loss. Thankfully our memories keep them a part of us always.

[E. Hamilton]

A good death, after a good life, with loved ones beside you, is the most anyone can hope for, so I am happy for your Dad and sad that you must endure the grief even a good death brings to those who loved.

I always think that is the important part, Gina, you can't grieve someone you did not love.

You loved him greatly, so the grief will be great, and that is, as it should be.



I am sure he went all the easier knowing he had raised a strong daughter, that is a big comfort to a parent and you gave him that. You should be proud.





You, and your family, are in my thoughts, may you all have peace and grace in this hard time.

[2CatMom]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. If its not too forward, please let us know if there is a charity that your Dad supported that we can make a donation to in his memory.

[Sharon H]

You all are in my thoughts and prayers as you work through this difficult time. You're blessed to have had the love of such a fine man and doubly blessed to be his daughter.

[DON GILE]

I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. YOUR DAD WAS MY FIRST ROOMMATE IN BASEBALL. WE PLAYED TOGETHER IN 1955 IN SAN JOSE.HE WAS A FUN GUY TO BE WITH. MY CONDOLENCES.

[Gina Spadafori]

Thanks so much for leaving a note, Don. Your time with my dad was before my time (I was born in '57), but I'm sure my mom remembers you, and I'll pass along your kind thoughts.

[Lori]

RE: Don Giles



That is SO cool! I remember at my dad's viewing a bunch of his co-workers came to me to mention how much they learned from my dad. It meant so much to me. Still does.



P.S. Gina, I talk to my dad now about things I never would have talked to him when he was alive. Of course I was 22 when he passed, and, I knew everything then. ;O)

[Gina Spadafori]

My dad's obit was in the paper today. I gotta say he was a lot more complicated and interesting than you could tell from this article, but such is the nature of a daily news story.



And I am, after all, an editor, so finding fault is my job. :)

[Monsignor James P. Gaffey]

Dear Gina: - I have not seen your father in more than 60 years. Our paths crossed in San Francisco in the late 1940s, and Mission Dolores Parish was trying to field a baseball team in upper-level CYO competition. Somehow we were able to recruit as coach a pitcher at the University of San Francisco (last name was Agee), who was recreational director at Dolores Park – across the street from Mission High School. He was willing to coach us young guys as long as we practiced at Dolores Park, where he worked. Eventually, some players heard there was a team assembling and sponsored by the parish, and your father arrived one day. This was in 1947-48, and he was already a “legend,” that is, a baseball star at Mission High School. It was thrill for all of us on the team to have him with us, and it was the “push” that let us know that we could take ourselves seriously and win. At the time, I believe, Nino played shortstop, but there was no question that he was our leader in every way. I never got “close” to “Nino.” He was a year older and much more mature, and my talent limited me to merely aspire to play ball with such seasoned athletes. That’s what a “benchwarmer” does. But what I do recall is that we won first-place in the CYO division in San Francisco but lost to a team from Marin County in the post-season. Nevertheless, we would never have advanced so far without Nino Spatafore at shortstop. (This is not important, but you may be amused by the fact that I participated in every practice at Dolores Park, sat on the bench for every game, and played only three innings in left field, striking out at my only time at back for the whole season! Not a great record, but I never forgot Nino probably because that season gave me my closest association with a real baseball player with a love for and a future in the pastime.) In any case, please accept my sympathy for your loss. You say he was complicated. Yes, I found him to be very demanding in the field, and he was not interested (in my time with him) in those with lesser talents. But somehow he left an indelible mark in my memory, and it was the greatest pleasure and thrill to be on a team with this extraordinary competitor who taught me the seriousness about playing baseball for all it’s worth.

(Monsignor) James P. Gaffey ([email protected])