Fred Prato

I remember visiting your house when I was a child, being picked up, and picking what had grown in the yard. I was able to pick leeche nuts, gardenias, and much more. I remember the generosity when you would give us things that grew from your yard. I remember having conversations with you about when you had traveled, especially to Orlando since I now live here, and your stories about when you flew. I remember when we would buy you peanuts every Christmas, when I gave you my dragonfly beady baby for Christmas, all the family photos around your house, and how you would want a half cup of water every time you came over. I remember you as a kind and generous person, who was also disciplined and respectful. I remember a lot of detailed things that at the time, seemed more meaningless, but now I see they made up the time that we have spent while you were here. To me, that is special, and how I remember spending time with my granddad.##imported-begin##Jessica McWaters##imported-end##

I remember very warm summers in which I eagerly awaited the arrival of my cousins and the enormous watermelon. Of course, if one would swallow a seed they would have a watermelon branch taking root in their stomachs and subsequently out of their mouths. I have a lot of fond memories of those summers thanks to Uncle Fred driving his gang over to our Grandparents house! Love Cheryl##imported-begin##Cheryl Duncan##imported-end##

I remember the trips to the airport to watch to planes take off. The outings at the beach and our only junk food; potato chips. Family gatherings in Hialeah when all the relatives came to visit. Dad's stories of Arthur Jones and his trip to get an elephant. He was intrigued by the fact John Travolta was a neighbor and used the same air strip. His passion was dancing and flying. When he gave up those things he lost a little piece of himself. I was surprised at the lengths he took to expand his education: His certified qualifications as a jet pilot, nechanic and inspector. We picked up the Citation after an inspection and had to rise above the local air traffic in what seemed to be a 90 degree climb to a higher altitude. It hurt to see his depression when he remembered his active lifestyle and realized he could never be that active again. But his strength kept him going. His visits and cards from his family were the memories that kept him heart strong. I saw only my dad's strengths. Never any weakness.
These memories I will treasure always.
SANDRA MCWATERS##imported-begin##Sandra McWaters##imported-end##

i didn 't know him very well. by the time i came along he was older and had become quite reserved. i know from others he loved to dance as well as Aunt Frances. he also loved uncle Harvey 's cooking and would come for some good cooked food to take home after saying his hellos to visiting folks.i wish him a peace like no other and i hope he is laughing with all the family up there in heaven.##imported-begin##marie zimmerman##imported-end##

I remember…

The 2 bedroom house with jalousie windows and four kids in the bed
mango trees in the back yard and riding the neighbor’s kiddie roller coaster.

The 3 bedroom house with fruit trees in the yard and a cherry hedge out front.
Mowing paths in the yard and playing tag. Picking vegetables at the “U
Pick” farms nearby. Learning how to use the riding lawnmower than running
it into the cherry hedge because I couldn’t find reverse. Daddy never got mad.

The whole family getting together every summer at Grandma and Granddaddy’s
house and outings at the beach. Diving off daddy’s shoulders into the water.
Playing hide n’ seek and climbing granddaddy’s trees. The adults ate inside and
the kids ate outside.

Driving daddy to the airport and watching his plane take off. The flight in the seaplane
and how he landed in the water near the lighthouse at Crandon Park and let us touch
the water before taking off again. The test flight in the DC3 going up and down
and around and around. 15 cent ice cream bars at the airport vending machine.

The flight to the Bahamas’ with daddy’s boss. He taught me what it was like, what it
felt like to taxi out on the runway and be in control of the airplane when we took off
to come back home.

I remember…

Going to the dentist twice a year
Toothbrushes on the piano as a reminder to brush our teeth.
No TV
That daddy wouldn’t let us miss a day of school
Made us study 1 hour a day even if we didn’t have homework
Going to summer school every year to keep our minds active
Made us learn to play an instrument, he said it would help us socially in life
That having an education is important
Letting us choose to learn to sail or scuba dive
Learning to swim at Bright Park
Saturday trips to the beach
Going Trick r Treating and watching him take out all the stuff he wouldn’t let us eat
That hotdogs are 4-D meat
Spaghetti every Sunday
Hamburger and beans for breakfast
Making fresh squeezed orange juice
Eating mangos
Carnation Non-fat Dry Milk instead of Fresh Milk
Ice cream after dinner every night
He would say we were mixing cement when we put ketchup on our mashed potatoes
Making us eat everything on our plates
Thanksgiving at Uncle Harvey and Aunt Jo’s
Lemon meringue pie was his favorite
Simple Christmases
Our family vacation to Key West
Making bonfire’s
Growing watermelon’s
Getting up in the middle of the night to cover the fruit with newspaper so that the
frost wouldn’t kill them
All the newspaper clippings…YES!

I remember…

His devotion to his father and mother and visiting them often
His loyalty to his sister’s
His unconditional love
His commitment to provide for his family
His contagious smile even when it hurt
and
His passion for flying!

I will always Love you Daddy! Love, Bonnie##imported-begin##Bonnie Prato##imported-end##