Monday, June 28, 2010

Remembering Al

The oldest living Overtoom (that I know of and certainly that I'm related to) pass away last Saturday, at the age of 99.  I had been planning to travel up to Wisconsin for a big birthday party, but will now be traveling to be with family for a different reason.  I have to confess that I didn't get to spend as much time with Grandpa Overtoom as much as I would have liked (and not as much as I should have) in my adult years, but have some vivid memories of him from my childhood.  A few things in particular that come to mind:

- Grandpa didn't seem to be able to actually stay still - he was always doing something, whether getting drinks for people, fixing things or working around the house.  The closest might have been at some of the big family gatherings, he could be found at the bar making drinks, or grilling - talking to everybody around him.  This is a trait that I share - I don't like sitting around doing nothing, I prefer to be active.

- I remember many gatherings at their house in Berwyn, IL.  The house was a two story bungalow with a basement, next to the elementary school.  We could go play in the school yard (throw balls or fly model airplanes).  The best part was the basement - there was a full bar down there, and Grandpa made a great Kiddie Cocktail (they moved from that house before I was old enough to drink anything more serious).  There were colored lights that could be switched on and off - the cousins would sit on the stairs and change from red to blue to green like it was a disco dance (this was in the '70s after all). 

- I remember fishing and boat rides at the lake cabin in central Wisconsin.  He was a great fisherman, probably the only time that I can remember him sitting fairly still.  I especially remember riding around Lake Camelot in the boat, whether to get to a fishing spot or just to go fast.

- Both houses had a lot of hunting and fishing trophies - deer heads and antlers, pheasants, and big scary looking fish with lots of teeth.

- Watching movies in the basement was a highlight of any visit for the kids.  Both to see the family movies, but also to watch Abbot & Costello and some silent cartoons.  Grandpa was an avid documentor of the family, with his trusty movie camera out to get all the action (or at least the action when he wasn't managing the bar...)

I do admire his work ethic, he worked hard to provide, but also cared for his family and kept the two separate.  He always took responsibility for what happened, didn't try to weasel out of things.  He gave much in his community.  He was a great man, in my eyes.  I hear that he died laughing - good natured to the end.