A Tribute To Clancy

On October 20th Courtney's dad Clancy passed away. He was 94 years old, which says alot right there. As John Robbins said in his book Healthy At 100, people who live to a ripe old age are generally pretty healthy. Clancy was far more than that--he was vital, energetic, enthused about life. At 92 he gave up golfing (and driving his golf cart over to the club for 18 holes and a couple of beers) and took up gardening. He had a flower bed put in on the top of a retaining wall so he didn't have to stoop over to garden. He was passionate about it, and would only come inside to rest a while and catch his breath. Then he was back out to his garden.





Clancy is pictured below with his wife Kay in their home in Morro Bay, CA. What a handsome couple. They married when Clancy was 79.





I think it was about the same time that he gave up golfing when he also quit driving his car and took up riding around on the scooter pictured below. Originally it was going to be used for him to go to the bottom of their driveway and get the mail. Next thing we heard he was riding it down to the bank and grocery store. A couple of times he admitted to Courtney that he'd taken a direct route off the curb and onto the street, but never injured himself and seems undaunted by near-misses. He was quite the guy.





Below, the picture of the three of us, was taken from in front of their house. You can see what a fabulous view they had of the bay. The town of Morro Bay is a designated bird sanctuary, and one of Clancy and Kay's favorite past-times was watching birds, including the many that came to Clancy's bird feeders.




Clancy was one of those people who's quick with a smile and a story and a joke. He loved people. He enjoyed life. It doesn't get much better than that. He was just almost fully-functioning until about 10 days before he died. Then he told Courtney's sister Nancy that he was tired and just wanted to sleep. Hearing that, she went into action and alerted the siblings that it was time to come tell their dad good-bye. Courtney took the train down and spent a few precious days with his dad and then came home. His dad died a day after he left.




To the very end Clancy retained his joie-de-vivre and his great sense of humor. He even confided in Courtney that he was a little excited about seeing what's waiting on the other side.

Courtney knows what a good role model he's had in this life. And I think many of us who knew Clancy feel inspired to live our lives more fully, appreciate and enjoy our lives more, because of the example Clancy set for us.

As George Sand said, "There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." Clancy had a happy life in that way and will be missed.

Valori