All of us—David, Mary, Cathy, and I—wanted to say something about our father, but we couldn’t find the words. On the Friday night before my father died, I sat with him...and he helped me know what to say.

I don't need to tell any of you here today that my father, your father, your husband, your grandfather, your neighbor, your congregant, your friend, Arthur Joseph Tardiff, was a good man.

You know that he was patient, faithful, kind, thoughtful, generous, and devoted.

You all saw these in him and in what he did. And you have your own stories and memories.

I hope you share them with each other, and with those not here with us today.

What I ask each of you is this: today, tomorrow, next week, on any day of the rest of your life,

show patience, be kind, stick up for someone, offer help, have faith, listen.

And in doing those, remember him, and make a difference in someone's life, as he has in ours.

Delivered at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church

Marblehead, Massachusetts

7 May 2009