Joseph John Toste (1913 - 2007)

My Grandpa was modest when speaking of himself. He wished he had finished school but the things that he taught they didn't teach me in school. He taught unconditional love in the way he treated Lady. Bravery in the way he was with Toby. Dexterity when he baked and decorated. How to pay attention to things that really mattered. What it means to be a dime a dozen. How to be a collector. That hard work really pays off. Patience from sitting in the boat on the lake with the water all still watching the bobber. Tolerance when I dropped his favorite pole in the murky sound. Understanding when Grandma gave him a piece of her mind, and how to be a dreamer so you can have peace of mind.
I stand here before you in celebration of his life. The way he cared for others, the way he cared for his wife. The baker he was spending many an hour. He had business going using the power of flour. The dreamer he was, The two dollar bills. The fishing boat, Golfing on the hills. The match book collection, The doughnut holes. The way he looked over the glasses on his nose. The time that he spent explaining the details
When he came home the dogs wagged their tails. Grandmas homecooking, The smell of cigars. Bowling with friends, late nights playing cards. Grandpa moves on to beyond and above. Leaving so many friends and the family he loved. Safe travels Grandpa

This is Alicia's addition. Alicia is one of 18 great grandchildren, Aunt Jo's grandchild and Joey's child. She read this at the post funeral gathering at the Delevan VFW Hall.
I have something so special that most kids never get, I got to meet my great grandpa!!!! My grandpa is special in so many ways, I remember a little snow globe with a golf ball in it and you had to try to get the gold ball on the tee!!!! whenever I would go over and visit I would try but I never got it!!!! I also remember that Grandpa had this little bowl of candy, He would always want to make sure that I had one, I would get there and he'd be like "get a candy" then a little while later he would say "did you get a candy yet, go ahead grab a few pieces." I feel so blessed that I had a chance to get to know my great grandpa. I also realize that the reason they call him a GREAT Grandpa is because he truly was great in so many ways I can't tell you them all!!!!!
Alicia Mueller

This is Catherine's addition. Catherine is the first of 11 grandchildren. Millie's daughter. She read this after the communion part of Grandpa's funeral mass.
I am standing upon the sea shore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the
morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says; "There, she is gone!" "Gone where?" Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching her and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying. - Henry Van Dyke

To view Millie's addition please visit cory-toste.com