Ger,
You came into our lives when I was just 3 years old. You embraced me, loved me and treated me like I was your son. You helped to raise me and you taught me what it means to be a good man. When I was a kid, you’d bring me down to the Balmy Beach Club and order me a cold coke and I’d sit with you and your friends just like I was one of the guys. You taught me how to golf. You took me skiing. You came to my baseball games. You came to my graduations. You were there for everything.
Even when I got into trouble, you accepted me and offered forgiveness, understanding and compassion.
Here I am now around the same age that you were when you took on the role of being my dad and I am raising my beautiful daughter using the template that you provided for me. Because of you and the example you set, she will know what it feels like to be loved unconditionally and I owe you a lifetime of gratitude for that.
Ger, you are the best man I’ve ever known. You are my role model and my hero. You will be with me in my heart acting as my compass and providing me with guidance for the rest of my life. I love you.