Dick Oxley: A Life of Friendship

Richard “Dick” Oxley, Sr Eulogy   September 12, 2015

Presenter: Rick Oxley, Son

On behalf of my Mom and our family,  we appreciate your comforting presence today.  The overwhelming love we have felt over the past few days from family and friends is up lifting.  

My dad would say that we should have charged admission.

We would like to thank Father Rodriguez for being our celebrant.  We would like to thank Deacon Gardner for a heartfelt personalized message.  My dad would be pleased that his friend, Mr. Wrisley, son-in-law Jack is an altar attendant.  We would like to thank Monica for being our accompanist and guardian angel.

The longer you live the more your life simmers down to the very essence of who you are.   My Dad lived a good long life until it simmered down to one word and that word is friend.

My brother and I can see my dad smile and the sparkle in his eye as he says my best friend and the person who meant everything to me is my wife Marie.   Together in loving partnership, they celebrated 55 years of marriage.   She was the wind in his sails.  My dad loved his wife and they were best friends. He will wear his wedding ring for eternity because that is how my Dad would want it.

We can see my Dad smile and nod his head as he talks about his boys.   Michael and I were blessed to have a loving father who was always there.  He nurtured and challenged us to become the men we were meant to be.  He was accepting.   A simple  working man made a promise to have college educated sons.   He kept his promise.  We are honored, as brothers, to call him our friend.

My Dad was a friend to my wife and son.  He loved them.  He took loving pride in his grandson.  He was my son’s wise nurturing friend.   You could see the love between grandfather and grandson in their matching hazel eyes as they played cards. And grandpa  took him to school.

My Dad was a friend to his brothers and sisters and to his nieces and nephews.  He was proud of their resilience. He was proud that all five Oxley brothers served active duty in the Armed Forces.  He especially enjoyed visiting with his sisters Clara, Sarah and Arline.  He was at peace when he talked with his sisters.  The Oxley boys are together again running through a hayfield.

In the past few days, my Dad’s friends shared memories of their friendship with my Dad.

Dale Wisnayi, who was like a son to my Dad, shared that “Dick taught us all to work hard, do it right, and laugh often”.  My Dad worked hard.

Mike Czup, his friend,  said you always knew where Dick stood.  His idea of being on time was being a half-hour early. My dad was dependable.

Eddie Kubas, his Navy friend of 60 years, has more stories than you can shake a stick at about my Dad and him having fun.  My Dad was  fun.

Skeet McIntyre and my Dad shared over 40 years of laughter as they volunteered at Harbor High school sporting events.  Skeet was like a brother. My Dad served the community.

My Dad laughed with his Squire Shop and Navy reunion buddies.  He was man who could find humor in any situation.  

My dad would like his buddies to know his name was spelled wrong in the paper.  The O was upside down.

Most importantly, we were reminded that he was there for his friends and family.

When Ed Wrisley,  a man who was like a dad to him, could no longer cut his grass.  My dad was there to take care of his lawn and continued to do it for years for Ed’s wife.  Never taking a dime but enjoying enjoying an occasional piece of pie. He considered the Wrisley’s family.

My cousin Sandy, my cousin Paul and my cousin Nick all shared that on the dark day when their  parent passed on, my Dad was there to sit with them.

When your back was against the wall.   When you were in a jam When you just need help.  You could count on Dick Oxley.  

He was a true and loyal friend.

He was a patriot.

He worked hard.

He walked his own path.

He laughed often.

He loved his wife.

He loved his family.

He believed in God.

He fought the good fight.

He finished the race.

He kept the faith.

For all of us that counted Dick Oxley as a friend,  

He is and will always will be our friend.

During the past few days since our father’s passing, My son and I have seen fifthteen eagles.   On Tuesday, an eagle flew at my windshield before turning and heading over the trees and then Lake Erie.  On Wednesday,  my son and I saw an Eagle at the lift bridge one of my Dad’s favorite spots.  Eagles were in Conneaut harbor chasing the vultures away.  Yesterday, my son and I were playing frisbee in the yard,  when two eagles soared out of the north over my parent's house and then through a hole in the clouds.   Today,  as we drove from the funeral home to the church an eagle flew over the Ashtabula river.  

If there was ever a man,  that deserved to be raised up on American Bald Eagle wings it was Dick Oxley.

Thank you Dad.   Thank you Lord.