26 Aug 2008 – In Memory of John K HALD/3

29 Aug: The past couple of days have been very emotional, both physically and mentally. Was sick and could not go to work for my last 2 days. Then the news of the passing of Linn & May’s grandfather followed by news of a cousin’s 3rd-stage cancer.

26 Aug: The world has lost a noble gentleman, my children’s Norwegian grandfather John Kløve HALD. My first meeting with him was Christmas 1968. I was 18 and was dating John/4, who wanted so much to be in Norway instead of Eire. He somehow managed to hitch a ride for us on a Norwegian cargo/coal ship from Dublin/Eire to Brevik/Norway. From there we took the train to Bodø and from Bodø we were hoping to catch the bus to Tromsø (about 3days & 3nights journey total from Dublin to Tromsø). John sr felt sorry for us and arranged plane tickets from Bodø to Tromsø and Tromsø back to Dublin.

My first meeting and first Christmas with the Halds has left life-lasting impressions and one of the best memories. It was good that May moved back here to spend some time with her grandparents and Linn & family were recently here to celebrate John sr’s 85th and his last birthday. He will be greatly missed and if only there were more people like him, then heaven is a place on earth.

My condolences to my children and their Norwegian family. Indeed I have been fortunate to have had the privilege knowing John Kløve HALD/3.