Dwight Trefiak

[buzz]

My wife and I attended the funeral today of a real gentleman, Dwight Trefiak.

While I'd hoisted more than a few pints with him and Dora at various small get togethers, I was struck by the overpowering sense of community evident at the service. Hundreds of coworkers and fellow pilots, some from other employers (like myself), drove home a message that gets lost in the chaotic fraternity we share.

We are all brothers and sisters with a passion that ties us more than we acknowledge.

I'll miss you Dwight

buzz

[Ex 9A Guy]

It was a very well attended (standing room only) and fitting send off for a man who touched the hearts of many and will be missed deeply by all who knew him.

Once again my condolences go out to Dora and William. It broke my heart to see that little boy holding on to his Mum at the service today.

When I got home this afternoon my son came over and sat beside me on the couch, gave me a big hug and told me not to be too sad because he loved me. At times like this it really drives home what is important and what is not. Folks don't sweat the small stuff and it is ALL small stuff.

Bon Voyage Dwight, blue skies and tailwinds always.

[Azure]

A beautiful poem Cabo posted that should be shared again:

Repost:

Deepest condolences to Dwights family. Below is a nice poem for a child who has lost a father.

>Daddy's Day at School

> >

> >Her hair was up in a ponytail

> >Her favorite dress tied with a bow.

> >Today was Daddy's Day at school,

> >And she couldn't wait to go.

> >

> >But her mommy tried to tell her,

> >That she probably should stay home.

> >Why the kids might not understand,

> >If she went to school alone.

> >

> >But she was not afraid;

> >She knew just what to say.

> >What to tell her classmates

> >Of why he wasn't there today.

> >

> >But still her mother worried,

> >For her to face this day alone.

> >And that was why once again,

> >She tried to keep her daughter home.

> >

> >But the little girl went to school,

> >Eager to tell them all.

> >About a dad she never sees

> >A dad who never calls.

> >

> >There were daddies along the wall in back,

> >For everyone to meet.

> >Children squirming impatiently,

> >Anxious in their seats.

> >

> >One by one the teacher called,

> >A student from the class.

> >To introduce their daddy,

> >As seconds slowly passed.

> >

> >At last the teacher called her name,

> >Every child turned to stare.

> >Each of them was searching,

> >For a man who wasn't there.

> >

> >"Where's her daddy at?"

> >She heard a boy call out.

> >"She probably doesn't have one,"

> >Another student dared to shout.

> >

> >And from somewhere near the back,

> >She heard a daddy say,

> >"Looks like another deadbeat dad,

> >Too busy to waste his day."

> >

> >The words did not offend her,

> >As she smiled up at her Mom.

> >And looked back at her teacher,

> >Who told her to go on.

> >

> >And with hands behind her back,

> >Slowly she began to speak.

> >And out from the mouth of a child,

> >Came words incredibly unique.

> >

> >"My Daddy couldn't be here,

> >Because he lives so far away.

> >But I know he wishes he could be,

> >Since this is such a special day.

> >

> >And though you cannot meet him,

> >I wanted you to know.

> >All about my daddy,

> >And how much he loves me so.

> >

> >He loved to tell me stories

> >He taught me to ride my bike.

> >He surprised me with pink roses,

> >And taught me to fly a kite.

> >

> >We used to share fudge sundaes,

> >And ice cream in a cone.

> >And though you cannot see him,

> >I'm not standing here alone.

> >

> >Cause my daddy's always with me,

> >Even though we are apart

> >I know because he told me,

> >He'll forever be in my heart"

> >

> >With that, her little hand reached up,

> >And lay across her chest.

> >Feeling her own heartbeat,

> >Beneath her favorite dress.

> >

> >And from somewhere in the crowd of dads,

> >Her mother stood in tears.

> >Proudly watching her daughter,

> >Who was wise beyond her years.

> >

> >For she stood up for the love

> >Of a man not in her life.

> >Doing what was best for her,

> >Doing what was right.

> >

> >And when she dropped her hand back down,

> >Staring straight into the crowd.

> >She finished with a voice so soft,

> >But its message clear and loud.

> >

> >"I love my daddy very much,

> >He's my shining star.

> >And if he could, he'd be here,

> >But heaven's just too far.

> >

> >But sometimes when I close my eyes,

> >It's like he never went away."

> >And then she closed her eyes,

> >And saw him there that day.

> >

> >And to her mother's amazement,

> >She witnessed with surprise.

> >A room full of daddies and children,

> >All starting to close their eyes.

> >

> >Who knows what they saw before them,

> >Who knows what they felt inside.

> >Perhaps for merely a second,

> >They saw him at her side.

> >

> >"I know you're with me Daddy,"

> >To the silence she called out.

> >And what happened next made believers,

> >Of those once filled with doubt.

> >

> >Not one in that room could explain it,

> >For each of their eyes had been closed.

> >But there on the desk beside her,

> >Was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

> >

> >And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,

> >By the love of her shining bright star.

> >And given the gift of believing,

> >That heaven is never too far .....

> >

[Azure]

Or this one:

For Dwights' family...

When tomorrow starts without me,

And I'm not there to see,

If the sun should rise and find your eyes

All filled with tears for me;

I wish so much you wouldn't cry

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time that you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand,

That an angel came and called my name,

And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,

In heaven far above,

And that I'd have to leave behind

All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,

A tear fell from my eye

For all my life, I'd always thought,

I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,

So much left yet to do,

It seemed almost impossible,

That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,

The good ones and the bad,

I thought of all the love we shared,

And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,

Just even for a while,

I'd say good-bye and kiss you

And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,

That this could never be,

For emptiness and memories,

Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,

I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did,

My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,

I felt so much at home.

When God looked down and smiled at me,

From His great golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity,

And all I've promised you."

Today your life on earth is past,

But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,

But today will always last,

And since each day's the same way

There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,

So trusting and so true.

Though there were times

You did some things

You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven

And now at last you're free.

So won't you come and take my hand

And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right here, in your heart.

I hadn't met you Dwight, but from what I read... you will be dearly missed.

A fellow Aviator

[Guest alldatjazz]

The greatest tribute we can hope for when our time comes is that so many people are moved by having known us . I never met Dwight but his affect on so many people is evident by the sentiments expressed here.

Rest easy buddy.