Each image on John’s block tells a little something about him but in no way completely describes who he was. The central image of him is my favorite picture of him and the last portrait taken of him. Some people have said that the beauty of his soul shines through that picture.
I chose to include a picture of our wedding day because John believed that marriage should be celebrated. We began and for many years hosted an annual Wedding Anniversary Mass and reception our local parish for couples celebrating milestone anniversaries.
I chose the picture of John and our son because being a father was one of his greatest joys. He was always proud to tell anyone that would listen about our son’s latest adventure or accomplishments. His only disappointment was that his son didn’t share his love of Penn State… his Alma mater.
John was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and the Celtic cross and the Tobin family crest pay homage to that pride.
The prayer St Francis was included because John lived his life according to that prayer. Prayer was a central part of his life represented by the Rosary. Many times I entered John’s hospital room and found him praying his rosary, I would ask if he was asking for help and he would tell me he was praying for someone in another room that had been having a bad night.
John always cared for others so I really didn’t have to give it a second thought when I was asked to donate his corneas. I knew that he would be happy that after 54 years of diabetes, there was still something that he could give to someone that needed them.
