William J. Nealey: May 12, 1935 – June 29, 2024

When you get the text or that call that the baby has been born, the heart leaps with excitement for what’s next, anticipating the brand-newness of a life to be celebrated.

But when it’s confirmed that someone has passed from life on earth and into eternity, there’s a resignation. An exhale. And what remains are the memories.

He left for heaven

When Chris nodded wordlessly, I knew.

We had heard earlier that morning that Grampa’s heart had stopped but he had been successfully resuscitated.

But then hearing it stopped again but for good? It hit different. We had long-dreaded this day.

I’m here because of him

I’m Mrs. Chris Webb because of his grandfather. No, like, really.

Not many people know this story (unless they’ve been to Chris’ Sunday school class, college juniors) but my first visit to South Florida did not go as anyone had planned. Chris was looking to discontinue our relationship while a few of my friends back home were thinking I was going to come back to NJ with some bling.

I came to visit ready to get to know this guy better and however the trip would go or not go would be okay with me. I was invested but my heart was safe. If that makes sense.

[Side note: from the start of our relationship I determined to be mindful and present in the moment and real.]

But this article is about Grampa not about Chris and my early relationship … you’ll have to come back another day for that.

So in a nutshell: when the visit came to a close Chris took me to the airport for me to catch my flight home. But when he got back home he found his grandfather sitting at home in tears, and in so many words he told Chris that if he broke up with me he’d be losing the best thing… wowzers.

He was sure beloved

Grampa was that one family member who I could be mad at and love fiercely at the same time. We all worked together, went to church together. It was a lot. And he was the one person I missed seeing everyday when we moved to Pensacola. He had a sense humor that always made me laugh or at least get me to shake my head. Those dad jokes … I know he liked me and had welcomed me into the family as one of his own.

So I’m thrilled to have given my oldest his name for his middle name.

I fell in love with Haiti because of his heart for the country and the people. And I’m so thankful for being able to see him doing what he loved.

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We’ve had great times that’s for sure. And this video is now also a treasure. I knew I needed to record him retelling the “Brown Suit” joke at least once. And I know why now. I’ll never forget how it just tickles Gramma to death.

This man created a legacy that continues to live on.