I've been away......

Steve Ash

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Location
Michigan
The last few days I have been away, due to a death in the family.

I lost my favorite Uncle on Friday afternoon. I guess you would say he died of old age, cause he sure lived life to it's fullest with no ailments till the end.

I'm not looking for sympathy, just want to tell his story to those who will listen. He is the guy looking down in the bibs, tabacky can between his legs....my dad to his right, I'm the fat guy to his left.


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He was a worker at Ford Motor Company but his heart was back on the farm he grew up on. He wasn't born into wealth, but would be considered wealthy if one is measured by good deeds and a love of his family....the measure of a man.

He fought for our country in WW2, earned 4 medals, had 3 of his sons and a son in law do a tour of duty in "Nam" one never returned home. Tonight at his viewing he was in a casket he ordered plans for and helped build, asked to be buried in his bib overalls and a pack of "Beech-Nut" tobacky placed in his hands.

He was 86, chewed tobacco every day and his favorite beer was Carling black label in a bottle.

Uncle Bug's real name is Francis, usually a man with that name is called Frank but not Bug. His nickname was given to him when he was a infant and it stayed with him all his life. It seems that his uncle gave him the nickname when he was asleep and all curled up. His uncle it is said after watching him curl up in a tight fetal position to sleep said "Well look at him all curled up like a tater bug" ....and the name stuck.

Bug made a portable display he took to all the tractor shows, it was a correct miniature scale model of a farmstead and buildings around the 20's. He handmade all the buildings including hand making the shingles for the house, barn, corn crib and even the scale outhouse. You could look in the windows of the house and even see wallpaper he put on the walls. All of this fit on a 2 sled snowmobile trailer he could enclose and take to the next show. It was quite a attraction and brought him a great sense of pride making a exact scale model.....right down to the imitation horsesh!t in the stalls.

He once stole a Christmas tree while stationed in the war zone of WW2. He said he and a friend wanted to make sure the boys had a tree for Christmas and went under the cover of darkness in enemy territory to procure a tree. He and his friend made it back to camp safely with said stolen tree, only to suffer the wrath of his commander for risking his life and anothers for the tree......then after his stern scolding his commander said "Thanks Bug, for making it a bit more enjoyable".

He also claimed he had never shot a legal buck since 1948. I would watch him get out of bed in the morning to go hunting and after all his gear was together he would go to the fridge and grab one can of beer....then off to the woods only to return without a buck and put the can of beer back in the fridge. After watching him do this many times I finally asked why he did this. He said " I take that can of beer with me because if I ever get lucky enough to shoot another buck I am going to kiss his nads then wash the taste away with a beer.

He was a bit of a fighter when the need presented itself....my oldest brother got sucker punched in a bar one night and Uncle Bug was quick to jump up from the table and grab the guy....put him in a headlock and smacked him in the face a few times.....the guy said "Now hold on old man, I've had enough of this"....Bug said "You'll have enough when I get tired of hitting your face, there was no call for what you did".

I have so many stories and fond memories, I'll miss him......thanks for listening.
 
Steve, what a beautifully written tribute to your uncle. You know, it's said when we write from our hearts, the words flow easily... and those words sure did flow here. Don't know which story I liked best, they were all great.

Thank you for sharing your memories and pieces of his life with us. I'm sitting here smiling with tears in my eyes. :) He would be proud of you.

Rest in peace, Bug.

--MJ :)
 
I know you miss him, and hurt when you remember...but it sounds like he give you so much. Cherish the memories and the stories, and be sure to pass them on to your grandkids. They will have stories then to tell their kids about "Uncle Bug".

Bless ya, Steve...and your family too.
 
Some folks play a big part in our lives......Sounds like Uncle Bug played a big one in yours Steve! My sincere condolences my friend.
 
Steve - I'm sorry for your loss but want to thank you for sharing memories with us! Family and true friends are what's important. Be sure to tell these stories often as it is an important means to add to the family history. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours at this time of loss.
 
Steve, I'm sorry for the loss to you and your family, and really appreciate experiencing your fond memories of him. It made me think of all the great memories I have of my favorite Uncle that we lost so many years ago.
 
Very nice tribute, Steve. Bug sounds like quite a guy, and I'm sure he'll be missed. Condolences and best wishes to you and your family.
 
Growing up in Farm Country myself Steve, I have known quite a few Uncle Bug's as it is. Maybe not quite the same, but I know the type. Your tribute makes me feel like I almost knew him. Its a darn shame the Greatest Generation is slowly going one good guy at a time. Sorry for your loss.
 
Thanks for sharing it with us, now we now a bit more of you and and quite a bit about your uncle.

I'm sure that wherever he is he'll be pleased.

Take care
 
Thanks everyone for reading my memories of Uncle Bug.

He was unique, as we all are in our own ways.

I forgot to mention he also played AAA baseball, I knew he was in the minors but didn't know until the funeral he made it to triple A, he was a catcher. He made the comment one time about a pitcher that made it to the 'bigs" He said that pitcher had the hardest fastball he ever caught, so he would put a hunk of meat in his catchers mitt to take the sting out of the pitch. That evening the meat was fully tenderized. He said the pitcher had a million dollar arm and a ten cent brain to go with it.

Anyway.....we lost a good man, may there be more like him to come.
 
You dun good with your tribute Steve. He sounds like a heck of a good man. Rreminds me of my granddad. We have a lot of similar stories. Thanks for sharing him with us. I wish I could have had more time listening to those men and women of that generation. Maybe we'll get together sometime over a few beers and enjoy their memories and legacy.
 
Very nice tribute to your Uncle Steve... the way you describe him, he was the kinda guy I'd want to sit down with, couple of beers, and ask him to tell you about his life... way into the wee hours, and never get tired of hearing his stories. I am sure he will be missed.
 
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