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3 short example eulogies for fathers

Contributed by: Charles Ijeh, Dublin, Ireland | April, Melville, NY, USA | Fiona, UK

Eulogy for my father: Farewell the Perfect Gentleman by Charles Ijeh, Dublin, Ireland

Charles' short and elegant eulogy for his father acknowledges and shares how one person can mean different things to different people. Each of the various relationships he highlights reveal different aspects of a man who was deeply loved and respected wherever he was. The eulogy opens and closes with the phrase - 'the perfect gentleman' which gives it a sense of completeness. 

Farwell the perfect gentleman

"Papa, your life with us will always be remembered. You have been the perfect gentleman to everyone you came across. They'll always remember you for the different things you are to them.

To me, you are the man who loved your family, loved your music, loved the BBC world news, and you loved God.

To your children, you were a good father. You gave us the very best in life. Every single one of us got the highest level of education.

To our mother, you loved and cared for her all her life; even through her difficult times.

To your brothers and sisters, you remained a caring and loving brother. Always there to contribute positively to peace and togetherness.

To the government, you dedicated thirty-five years of service up till retirement. You climbed gracefully through the rungs of your career as an auditor to the highest level.

To the church, you were the gentle organist guaranteed to be there every Sunday with the choir to do what you do best with the Organ.

To your neighbors and in-laws, you were the peacemaker. Your role in their lives remain exemplary. I never remember you to have a quarrel with anyone. You are always there to help, advice and to give.

You remained gentle and jovial up to your death. I am so proud to be your son. It is painful to lose you now Papa, but God knows what's best. We wish you farewell as you join our mother in the bosom of the lord.

Farewell the perfect gentleman."

Dad aka Grandad Chocolate: an overview of his life, by Fiona - UK

In writing her eulogy for her Dad, Fiona has given her listeners a broad overview of the key events in his life. It starts with his birth and ends, fittingly, with his death. The personal stories she shares as she takes us through the years let us know about his humor, his love of football and working in the forest and how important his family was to him.  

A eulogy for Dad

David was born on the 4th August 1932 in the bedroom of his family home, Lavender Cottage in High Street in Juniper-on-Sea and was raised by his Mum and Dad, Laverne and Henry. He was the second eldest of five children: Stella, David (Dad), Jeffrey, Michael and Elsie.

Sadly, David's Father passed away when he was only 17 and things became very hard at home.

David went to serve his time in the National Service and even just a few years ago he could still recite his Army Number: "2 Double 3, 31498 - SIR!!" He ALWAYS ended it with SIR!

David had many humorous stories from the National Service which he loved telling to his children, and he would delight in reminiscing.

A special favorite was the time that he got shouted at by his Sergeant Major. He organized his army mates to pretend they didn’t hear when the Sergeant shouted "HALT" and so they continued marching right through all the flower beds! He found that hilarious!

And another time he ruffled the Sergeant's feathers by saying he couldn’t see the point of going OVER the exercise wall as it would FAR easier to go ROUND it!!

Of course, he did as he was told but he did like to joke.

David was such a thoughtful, kind and considerate man and even though he was young he knew things were going to be hard at home for his Mum whilst he was away serving his time in the National Service and so every month he would send home half his pay. He was always the carer!

The main thing that kept him going in the National Service was, (not only his sense of humor, of course), but his love for football too, and his beloved SAINTS team. He played in all the tournaments that were organized in the Army and many an injury was ‘run off’ sadly to his detriment in later life. Then he needed to have his ankle fused due to numerous broken bones that just got ‘run off’ when he was younger.

David did as his Mum and Dad always wanted and completed an apprenticeship in building, gaining all the City and Guild's qualifications necessary to be able to support himself and a family in the future.

In his 20’s David met and married Mary his first wife and went on to have two children, myself and Frank, whom he always affectionately called Nonny.

Mary and David built their first house ‘Spring Range’ in Juniper-on-Sea together and lived there until they had saved enough money to buy Lark Hall House in Myrtle-on-Thyme. He was exceptionally proud of owning this house, which was one of the most beautiful houses in the area.

Sadly, the marriage ended. David eventually met and married his second wife, Julie and went on to have two more children Henry and Sam.

David then went to America and set up a drilling business with his brother Michael. He worked away for 5-6 years eventually leaving and coming home to the business that he knew so well; working self-employed for the Forestry Commission.

He was back again working in the Forest that he loved so much, rising with the sun and finishing at sundown and again working with Nonny alongside him.

His second wife developed Multiple Sclerosis and David continued for many years both working full time and also caring for Julie whilst her condition worsened. She sadly passed away in the year 2000 and David continued to work and run the family home all by himself.

David's family has increased to a very proud 8 Grandchildren and one Great Grandchild now. The grandchildren are Zelda and Tim, Ginny and Jessie, Max and Pat, Ian and Stanley and Emma, his Great Grandchild. These children have always known David as Grandad Chocolate because his cupboards were always bursting with it on each of their visits. Of course, at Easter time the hedges were always full of hay nests and chocolate too. That's a delight every grandchild got to experience!

David very sadly developed Alzheimer’s/dementia is his latter years, and this has been so very difficult, having to watch the decline of such a strong, caring and capable man.

We have heavy hearts because David has passed away but also an enormous relief that he is no longer suffering as he has been due to this extremely cruel disease.

Remembering Dad by April, Melville, U.SA

What do you say if your relationship with your father is a little complicated? April handles her feelings about her 'old-fashioned Italian dad' with candor, respect and kindness.

She carefully balances what she chooses to say. Her happy childhood memories are recalled, and the story of her parent's courtship is told delightfully.

Then she shows us, despite her frustration with him, that she understands her dad and why he couldn't readily acknowledge his feelings. The eulogy ends with her letting us know how she is going resolve that for herself as well as for him.   

Read April's eulogy for her father

"First, I would like to thank all of you for your support. It means so much to us all.

Vincent was my father, but he was also father to Donna, Joey, John Sr., Miriam, Harel, and Alex, and Grandfather to John Jr. Alison, Hailey, Kayla, Jake, Lila and Carissa, plus Uncle to many nieces and nephews here with us today.

We all have memories of Vincent. I want to share some of my most precious childhood memories with you now.

The most fun I had with him was staying up all night playing video games, watching hockey together, walking to Smoke Stax down the block and racing home, and painting Christmas ornaments with him. Getting a ride on my Dad's motorcycle was also the coolest!

But what I also cherished about my Dad, was that he loved animals. If a person found any hurt animal, they knew my Dad would help them.

Hopefully you all had a chance to look at the college pictures. Not to sound weird but when I saw his high school picture I was like, "Wow! Dad was hot!"

My Mom didn't stand a chance! They met when my Mom was 16 and my Dad was 19. My beautiful Mom was waiting at a bus stop with her friends. My Dad, riding in a car with his friends, noticed the girls and asked if they wanted a ride. Of course no one takes rides with strangers, right kids?! So, they said 'no'.

Then one of my Dad's friends said to my Mom, "Vinny LaManna wants to talk to you!" and my Mom said, "Tell Vinny LaManna to go fly a kite!"

Maybe not exactly those words but you know what I'm saying. Well, that's all my stubborn Italian Dad had to hear and he said, "I have to meet that girl!"

My Mom and her friends took the bus to an ice cream parlor not knowing that the boys had followed them. Once they got inside the ice cream parlor Dad pulled my Mom into a booth and my Mom saw those piercing green eyes and dark hair. She didn't stand a chance.

They were married for 51 years and when they moved into their first apartment all they had to eat for dinner was a hard-boiled egg which they shared.

They worked, making honest livings as bus drivers and we were proud. They provided all they could. They made sure we always had the presents we wanted on Christmas and the feeling of love was always there.

My father was an old-fashioned Italian who struggled with showing emotions. Growing up with him was not always easy. Most of the time I just wanted to slap him in the back of the head and say, like Cher from Moonstruck, "Snap out of it"!

I know my Dad loved us but unfortunately, he didn't know how to show us. With all of that, I have learned a very valuable lesson from him. I will not live in fear or anger. I will love and I will grow, and I will not let something like age tell me I can't learn something new or do something I enjoy.

When I make a mistake, I will forgive myself and not live in regret.

I've decided to take Dad on that journey with me because I know he would be proud and think, I'm nuts but, that's what life is about - love, learning, growing, pushing for more. That's what he taught me, and I will not let him down. I want to experience the things he couldn't.

Again, thank you to our family and friends for your support.

Dad, we love you."