Robert Emmett Carmody, Emmett with two Ts and don't forget t!
Just a few days before Christmas, my family had to say goodbye to my beloved grandpa, Robert Emmett Carmody. He was a man of good faith and a friend to many. Though my grandpa had his struggles in life, he was an amazing witness of God's love for us here on this earth. He was a great example of how to devote one's life to prayer, to others, and to the Sacraments.
My uncle Bill gave my grandfather's Eulogy, and though I would love to post the whole thing here for you, I am only going to share some selected pieces that touched me, brag if I may...
Though my grandfather had many successes, devoted many hours of service, and had countless hobbies, these excerpts below express my admiration of my grandfather as man of Christ:
"There wasn't a Catholic Priest on board the Snowden [dad's Navy vessel]. Dad would say the Mass to himself on a daily basis to help combat the stress. He carried a small replica of the child Jesus in his pocket, and would rub it when he became nervous...he prayed the Rosary daily...Even at such a young age, he had a strong faith in God to help him live his life."
"Like all of us, he had some set backs along the way. But I think that there were two attributes that he had that made him advance every time that he fell down. First he would start the day by saying, "This is the first day of the rest of your life," and he really meant it. Every day to dad was a great day to start over. He'd also often say, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.""
"The other attribute regarding his longevity was his ability to turn things over to God...He knew many things were out of our control. He talked the talk and walked the walk. Now that dad is gone, we are going to miss him as a person to turn for advice, even though you knew that his advice would include, "turn it over to God" or "pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance.""
"In 1953, Dad was introduced to our Mom. Dad used to say that my mom's parents were a little bit cautious of their 24 year old German Catholic daughter marrying a 33 year old Irish Catholic who might appear a little bit of a "wild man." However, dad quickly influenced my mom's parents. By this time in his life dad was attending daily Mass, which he dis for over 60 years. When our grandfather asked him why he went to daily Mass, when there is only a Sunday obligation, he replied, "I just think that it gives me an extra special blessing each day." And from that point forward, my mom's parents attended daily Mass."
"For all of you that had the opportunity to touch our father in some way, the Carmody family says thank you. For those of you who worked with dad, worshipped, worked out, played golf, had lunch, volunteered, helped out, and cared for our Dad, we are truly indebted to you for your gift of friendship. Bob Carmody loved you. What an honor to be able to call Bob our husband, our dad, our grandpa, our colleague, or our friend!"
"Dad, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race and you have kept the faith! You are now in paradise with our heavenly father and we know now that Heaven will never be the same. Be happy today, Dad, for today is truly the first day of the rest of your life! And for all of us here, let's remember, that this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.
"There wasn't a Catholic Priest on board the Snowden [dad's Navy vessel]. Dad would say the Mass to himself on a daily basis to help combat the stress. He carried a small replica of the child Jesus in his pocket, and would rub it when he became nervous...he prayed the Rosary daily...Even at such a young age, he had a strong faith in God to help him live his life."
"Like all of us, he had some set backs along the way. But I think that there were two attributes that he had that made him advance every time that he fell down. First he would start the day by saying, "This is the first day of the rest of your life," and he really meant it. Every day to dad was a great day to start over. He'd also often say, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.""
"The other attribute regarding his longevity was his ability to turn things over to God...He knew many things were out of our control. He talked the talk and walked the walk. Now that dad is gone, we are going to miss him as a person to turn for advice, even though you knew that his advice would include, "turn it over to God" or "pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance.""
"In 1953, Dad was introduced to our Mom. Dad used to say that my mom's parents were a little bit cautious of their 24 year old German Catholic daughter marrying a 33 year old Irish Catholic who might appear a little bit of a "wild man." However, dad quickly influenced my mom's parents. By this time in his life dad was attending daily Mass, which he dis for over 60 years. When our grandfather asked him why he went to daily Mass, when there is only a Sunday obligation, he replied, "I just think that it gives me an extra special blessing each day." And from that point forward, my mom's parents attended daily Mass."
"For all of you that had the opportunity to touch our father in some way, the Carmody family says thank you. For those of you who worked with dad, worshipped, worked out, played golf, had lunch, volunteered, helped out, and cared for our Dad, we are truly indebted to you for your gift of friendship. Bob Carmody loved you. What an honor to be able to call Bob our husband, our dad, our grandpa, our colleague, or our friend!"
"Dad, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race and you have kept the faith! You are now in paradise with our heavenly father and we know now that Heaven will never be the same. Be happy today, Dad, for today is truly the first day of the rest of your life! And for all of us here, let's remember, that this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.
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The final days before my grandpa's passing were bitter sweet. I had total peace that he was about to embark upon eternal glory, but it was hard to see a friend go, especially when he had impacted so many lives. The days leading to my grandpa's death were filled with prayer and intercession. My grandfather was surrounded by his entire family. There were many beautiful moments upon my grandfather's death. One was on the evening that I returned home and entered his room, all of his children and his wife were present. Together we prayed the Rosary surrounding him. The other beautiful thing about my grandfather's death was that he was holding the San Damiano cross in one hand and Mary in his other. To me it was a true sign that grandpa was about to reach a much higher and grander place with Jesus and Mary right beside him. Throughout this whole time, my grandma's love for my grandpa blew me away. She told my grandpa that she would not let go of his hand until she could place it into the hands of Christ.
And to Christ he has gone.
Though we will miss our grandpa dearly, we did not want to mourn, but rather celebrate his life. Just to show you how one man can influence many, at my grandfather's funeral there were at least 800 people in attendance, we decided an Irish celebration was in order. Following the Mass, we had drinks and food to celebrate the life of one man, an only child at that, who had impacted at least 800 people, and we know several more!
Grandpa I love and miss you, but I know I have a cheerleader Above to help me follow God's will for my life!
Please pray for the repose of my grandfather's soul
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Robert Emmett Carmody, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, died Mon., Dec. 22, 2008. He was 87. He was the beloved husband of Jean Carmody (nee Rechtien) for 54 years; father of Kim (Tom) Uhlmansiek, Robyn (Paul) Roth, Robert Carmody, Lynn (Paul) Jamboretz, William (Kathleen) Carmody, Kevin (Chris) Carmody, Jeannie (Mike) Murphy, Melissa (Tim) Goodwin and the late Matthew Gerard Carmody; "PaPa" of Lauren, Robyn, Scott, Caitlin, Paul, Jordan, Paul, Matt, Kyle, Anna, Michael, Robby, Tim, Mary, Kevin, Ben, Annie, Meghan, Emily, Sean, Maddie, Meg, Grace, Laura and Joseph; brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend.Mr. Carmody attended St. Matthew's School, McBride High School, St. Louis University and Harvard University. He served in the Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Snowden and worked for 42 years for Wohl & Brown Shoe Companies. He taught marketing at Washington University, St. Louis University, the University of Missouri at St. Louis and Loyola of Chicago. He also volunteered as a Eucharistic minister at St. John's Skilled Nursing Center for 20 years. Mr. Carmody had many interests throughout his life, including playing the piano, studying Spanish and exercising. He was a regular fixture at the Kirkwood YMCA and the Lodge in Des Peres for years. He ran the St. Louis half marathon at age 82. A funeral Mass celebrating his life was held on Dec. 26 at St. Gerard's Majella Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the St. Gerard Building Fellowship & Faith Campaign, 1971 Dougherty Ferry Road, Kirkwood, Mo., 63122; or the charity of one's choice appreciated.
1 comment:
Lauren, this post was really inspiring to me!
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