My Pappy

I have just today, about 2 hours ago infact, returned from PA with my Mom. We were not, as we were last year, on vacation. We got a call Wednesday, June 21 that my Pappy (Grandfather for non-northerners) was in ICU and not doing well.


We left as soon as we could pack a few things and drove all night and all day Thursday to get to Connellsville, PA. Pappy passed away late Friday night, June 23. At his request there was no service. We had a private family viewing on Saturday and he was buried in a family plot Thurday.

All but one of his 10 grandchildren were at the house this week. My brother, Matt, the oldest grandchild, was unable to be there as he was traveling overseas for work and left the country that Friday. We were able to contact him and at least let him know what was happening before Pappy died.

It was a sad trip but it allowed me to see cousins I (nor anyone else in the family) had not seen in 10 years. More about that later.

I loved my Grandfather. I loved my Pappy. It will never feel the same to go home now without him jumping up and starting coffee and coming out of the kitchen just as the water works ended to shout, "There's my Mandy Dawn!"

His name was Donald Eugene Ritenour Sr. and was called Gene by friends and Pappy or Uncle Gene by family. He was married to Orpha Ritenour for 55 years. He had 4 children and he worked hard to provide for his family. He was 75. He lead a good life.