Baby Shrek

The picture quality may not be that great. . .but he was too CUTE for words with those ears on his head. He giggled right back at us! Hayden is one handsome baby, Shrek or No-Shrek ears!

Okay. . .I found another oh-so-cute picture too. . . .

SEE YA IN THE FUNNIES, DAD

James L. Castonguay
December 15, 1923 - October 5, 2008

Forever missed~ Forever loved.

I have procrastinated posting about the recent passing of my Dad because I have been trying to find just the right words. .. that's the pesty perfectionist side of me. I haven't wanted to post anything else in the meantime because I feel saying something in honor of him deserves priority posting. Today, Jewelya, Jim's first granddaughter sent me her notes from the eulogy she gave at his service. Perfect! Thank you so much!

Here is some of what she said:

Today is a day for celebration to come together with love & honor for our loved one’s journey home. Change is never easy when we are attached to the ever changing physical form. Relationships never end, they only change level.

In his 85 years, nearly a century, James Castonguay graced us with his whitty charater that will remain a part of us long after he is gone. Also known as Jim, Dad, Grampa, & Grampa "GG", he was the youngest child and outlived all of his 14 siblings.

Born in Mill Town, Montana, of French born parents, he took after his father, working in the mill in Montana before joining the Army. He crossed the English Channel on his 21st birthday, served in WWII, was part of the second wave of American soldiers that hit the beach at Normandy and was a decorated solider and Purple Heart recipient. After returning from the war, he married and had his first child, Sue. He moved his family to Renton, WA in 1957 to pursue a better life.

He later married Lois, who commends his partnership of 40 years, dedication as a husband and his willingness to step in and become a special father to help raise six children, along with their youngest child together, Lee.

A carpenter by trade, he retired in 1989. Not only will his character and handy work live on with us, so will many of the buildings that he helped build. These include the Columbia Tower, the Metropolitan Buildings, Microsoft's first campus buildings, Cascade Vistas, and the house he built in Renton, to name a few.

He loved to dance and socialize, tease and joke, travel and explore. One of his loves was to give kisses. He loved to ride his Harley in his younger days, probably sporting his favorite color blue and grabbing the end of his nose between his index finger and thumb, which became his identifying gesture.

We can all visualize our own stories and memories that stick out to us. It is at times like this that we are called to look a little deeper into what limits us, stretch a little further beyond our boundaries, love more unconditionally and appreciate the beauty of living fully in the moment of now.

Having a long history of being a survivor, his strength and determination assisted his ability to wrestle with the aftermath of his stroke two years ago. Even to the very last days when his ability to speak was lost, he maintained his sense of humor and communication, most likely to help us all through this tough time.

Jim will remain in the hearts of his wife, Lois, his 8 children, 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, many friends and extended family members that have crossed paths with him through the years.

One of his favorite sayings when we would say goodbyes was "See ya in the Funnies!" It would crack him up, which of course would make us laugh too. We are so glad you made the choice to love our Mother and all her chicks! We love you and will miss you always.

To Our October Babies. . . .

Robb, Hunter, Avery, Tom, Emily, Ted, Kirk & Mimi
(and new baby girl Allred ~due the 28th!)

Celebrating the day you were born!