Sidney Klein

My dearest dad,When I was a young boy, my dad took me to work with him so many times which was so awesome for me. The first time was working at the Klein's family gas station where my Grandfather,and all 3 brothers worked as mechanics. My dad, Milton,and Leslie. I couldn't wait to go because I made money, from tips pumping gas, from my uncles and grandfather slipping me a few dollars here and there and my dad, who gave me something more important than just money, how to work hard and do the best you can, no matter what. But even though I was young, that stayed with me for my entire life. In the years following, he took me to his work at the families laurdrymat, and when he was a Appetizing Manager and fish man, and wow, he knew his fish. I watched my dad through the years work so hard and I respected him so much for that work ethic.As I grew up, I found his medals from being in WWII and also found his diary. I asked him about the war and he didn't talk much about it, but at times he would tell stories as he was a Radioman on a LST # 961. One story was how he was on a shore leave on an island that the US took over in the Pacific and everyone was told not to eat or drink anything from the locals. Well, as the story goes, it was so hot and my dad depleted his water rations and along came an old local. He offered my dad something to drink and it was Alcohol and he drank the bottle. Well, he passed out and his shipmates came and got him and started to dunk his head in the sea on the way back to their ship to wake him. He didn't wake and his shipmates told the Capt. that he passed out from dehydration and took him to the infirmary. He was out for 3 days and that is because it was Japanese Moonshine. He was lucky that time. He was proud to be a Seaman and was deployed for over 3 years in the Pacific Theater. I was always so proud of his service and heard some stories that were hard to listen to, but he would have done it again in a heartbeat. Thank you for your service dad.He always had time for his family and took all of us to the Catskills in NY and made sure we all had great summers.As I grew up I saw first hand, his devotion to his parents, as they grew older and got sick. My dad only had one day off during the week on Thursday's and he took that day off and took my grandparents to doctors and cared for them with such love and devotion. I went with him many times and saw the love first hand.Yes, my dad taught me to be a man. He taught me to love your family and take care of them especially when they are in need, he taught me to work hard at any job and have a great work ethic, but he also taught me how to be a great husband.He loved my mom so much he would try to make her feel so loved and give her anything she desired. I see a pattern here in my own life. I learned so many lessons in my life that rubbed off on me and I have aspired to be a man like my dad. I hope I can come close in the end.He was a passionate man and being a staunch Democrat he sometimes got over the top with his views, but at least he stayed true to his passion and even taught me how to speak my mind with passion, which has gotten me into trouble at times. lol.. He did have a favorite saying as he grew older, "but I will keep that saying in the family"….He was a fair man, an honest man and a great adviser. He loved his friends in Fl and had a wonderful retirement there along with my mom. When they moved to AZ, he became my best friend.He loved being Jewish and we used to Daven together through the years and always taught me to always remember the Holocaust.Now that love affair will continue in heaven with mom and she will keep you on your toes. You have been reunited with your parents, your brothers Milton and Leslie and especially your daughter Stephanie. Until we meet again Pop and we are all reunited as the crazy Klein's.Until then, I love you and I will miss you, my best friend.Michael