Edmund E. Zitkus - born November 16, 1920, died October 13, 1991

[CO Liberal]

Today would have been my father's 83rd birthday, if it weren't for that damned leukemia....

Dad was born in the Lithuanian section of Philadelphia, where his father worked for Swift Premium. When he was 7 or 8, his parents bought a farm in Buena, NJ - the only Lithuanian family in a predominantly Italian area. The KKK burned a cross in front of their house, but they stayed.

Later on, Dad graduated from Vineland High School and served in the Marine Corps during WWII. He was a reconnaisance photographer and tail gunner, stationed at Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific. After the war, he worked for Curtiss-Wright, several other companies, and finally RCA, retiring in 1983 after 24 years at RCA.

He married my mother in 1947. My sister Adrienne came along in 1949, I came in 1952, and my sister Lynn in 1957.

The one thing Dad always taught me by example was to speak your mind and stand up for what you think is right. That's why he was a life-long Democrat, and so am I.

So here's to you, Dad. I love you, I miss you, and I hope I've turned out OK.

:toast:

[CanuckAmok]

1. Happy Birthday, Mr. Zitkus.

You gotta wonder if diseases like Leukemia aren't created only because some people would just refuse to give up life, without them.

:toast:

[CO Liberal]

4. The Oncologist Told Us There are Five Types of Leukemia

From least severe to most severe. Dad had the most severe type - he only lasted six months after the diagnosis. And I'm convinced the chemotherapy did more damager to him than the leukemia.......

[izzie]

2. Sounds like an American to be prood of.

n/t

[CO Liberal]

5. He Was Part of "The Greatest Generation"

They had a job to do, and they did it.

[Swede]

3. I'm sure your dad is proud of you.

And looking down on you now with smile.

[CO Liberal]

7. I Feel His Presence All The Time

Dad was very good working with his hands - he built the house I grew up in, and always worked on his own cars. And now, any time I'm building something and can't figure out how to do something, I just say "Help me out, Dad", and pretty soon I've got the answer.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

6. Salute, Mr. Zitkus!

:toast:

[CO Liberal]

10. Thanks, Billy

Dad would have liked all these toasts. Winemaking was his hobby.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

8. Happy Birthday to your dad!

I'm sure he was proud of you. It sounds like he set a wonderful example.

:toast:

[CO Liberal]

9. He And My Mom Both

As Democrats in a heavily Republican town, it wasn't easy sometimes speaking your mind. But they both taught us to stand up for what you believed.

[CO Liberal]

11. One More Kick for Dad

:kick: