Obituary of John Taflas

John Michael Taflas, a retired Graphic Artist for Raytheon, passed away at his home with his family at his bedside on Sunday morning, February 6, 2011. He was 79 years old. John was born in Youngtown, Ohio, the son of the late Michael and Ouranea Taifalidakis. He grew up and was educated in Youngstown. He served in the Navy during the Korean War, aboard the USS Keppler, a Gearing Class destroyer, whose home port was Newport, RI. He served for 4 years and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal (Europe). During his time in Newport, he met his future wife, Norma Brogna. They were married on February 5, 1956. They made their home in Woburn for a time, then Tewksbury for 25 years, and the last 12 years in Haverhill. John had worked for Raytheon in Andover for 37 years. He was a Graphics Artist and worked on many of Raytheon's missile systems including the Hawk and Patriot. In his retirement years, he volunteered at the Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley in Lawrence. John was an avid flower and vegetable gardener. He spent hours working around his summer home maintaining and improving his gardens, lawn, and landscape. He took great care and effort growing and cultivating vines of geraniums which he cared for all year long. He also enjoyed spending time at his home in Little Ossipee Lake in Waterboro Maine. The lake house was a favorite destination for John, his children, grandchildren, and their friends and will hold lasting memories of time well spent together. John was the beloved husband of 55 years of Norma (Brogna). He was the loving father of Michael & his wife Donna of Merrimack, NH and Mary DeRoo & her husband Mark of Topsfield. He was the brother of Helen Cox of Warren, OH and the late Theodore Taifalidakis. He was the proud grandfather of Lindsay, Nicholas, Brian, Courtney & Molly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 12 Park St., Topsfield, on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers memorials in John's name may be made to Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc., 360 Merrimack St., Building 5, Lawrence, MA 01843. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.strosetopsfield.org Family Remembrance by Mary As long as I can remember, my father was a person of strength where my brother and I could go to for anything. When we were young we would go to Long Beach with Aunt Barbara, Uncle Dick, Sharon, Susan and Stephen. We would spend a week down there with them and one time in particular I remember the waves were too strong for us to go into the ocean. Dad held Michael in one hand and me in the other as the waves came crashing into us. His hands were strong and while we were knocked over, we didn’t fall because dad held us very tightly and he never let us go. This was symbolic of the way he raised us. He used a strong hand to guide us through life yet he never let us go. And when we did fall, he was there for us, guiding, supporting and encouraging us every step of the way. I know this is supposed to be about dad only, but it is really impossible to talk about my father without referencing our mother. Our parents had a marriage that every little girl dreams about and every young couple starting out there life together hope and pray for. Michael and I were privileged to live in it. Mom and dad supported each other in all of the decisions around raising children and I can remember asking dad for something and he would say “what did your mother say” and visa versa. They were a team raising us and never did one contradict the other. You eventually learned that if mom said no then dad would too. For my cousins you all know about the infamous red stick. In those days you were disciplined with spanking. I can remember fighting with Michael and probably driving mom so crazy that she would put us in our rooms and tell us wait until dad gets home and then we’re going to get it. Well what mom didn’t know is that dad would come upstairs and go into our bedrooms and talk to each of us. He would listen to what we had to say, correct our behavior with words and he would hit the bed and we would have to fake crying. He didn’t really hit us. And later as we became adults with children of our own, he would tell us that “How could he not see us all day and then come home and hit us?” So again, he taught us discipline with his strong yet gentle arm. (He did eventually break that stick on Michaels elbow. We were glad that was gone). Our home was always the one that our friends wanted to be at. Whether in Tewksbury or in Maine, dad’s upbeat personality was one that I was always so proud of. No matter what kind of day he had at work, he would come home and kiss us all hello. Dad would take the time to talk to my friends and ask them how are they and what is new. And then there was Todd. Todd Hackett was the youngest of my parent’s friends Terry and Ethel. While Michael and I were playing with Terry and Kelly, Todd was the kid that was always left out. But not when it came to dad. He would play checkers and reverse checkers with Todd time and time again. He would work around the yard and in the workshop with him. Dad was Todd’s friend growing up and I can only believe that his influence on him played some small part in his success that he is as a Colonel in the Unites Stated Air Force. By being great parents, Mom and dad together modeled for us how to raise our own children. Lindsay Kate, Nicholas John, Courtney Elizabeth and, Molly Jane are their grandchildren who they are very proud of. And when Donna and Brian joined our family, dad and mom never hesitated a second in including them as their own. But not only did they model they helped us. Mark and I would leave Nick and Courtney with them in Maine on Sunday nights and we would go home to work. Here is where they really had an influence on our children. Nick would work with Papa and Courtney would play the piano, they would play cards together and work together around the yard. I think dad had Nick on the tractor as early as age 7 driving alone. Dad taught us all a strong work ethic. Having a summer place entails work in the beginning and the end of the season, Dad always said get your work done first and then you can play. And play we would when we were finished. Dad and mom instilled a very deep sense of family in our lives. They would tell us over and over again that Michael and I are all each other have, and to never forget that. It was always important to them that we grew up sticking up for each other and watching out for each other. Our family traditions were ones that defined who we became as adults. For many years growing up mom and dad hosted Christmas Eve. My memories of those Christmas Eves are mostly about the fun and excitement leading up to them. Dad was the type of husband who was right there beside my mom helping her with the decorating, cooking and preparing the food and he was always Happy…he just did everything with a smile. Our family and friends liked to come over for the holidays because dad was always so welcoming and it was genuine. I know all of you cousins know that and have those special memories of him. Dad also made sure we knew our Greek Heritage. We would go to the midnight mass at Easter in the Greek church that would all be said in Greek and last until 3 AM. I can remember Michael and I being so tired and not understanding a word they were saying. But the reward was at the end of mass when we would go downstairs of the church and crack red Easter eggs and eat gut soup, a Greek tradition. We didn’t get to grow up everyday with our cousins from Ohio but dad made sure we knew them and for a long time we would take that 12 hour car ride with a cooler filled with live lobsters to visit them. Dad wanted to make sure we knew who Aunt Helen and Uncle Bill were, Uncle Teddy, Aunt Mary, Uncle Nick and our cousins. It amazes me that in those days of limited communication by letter writing and phone only, how close we always felt to them growing up. Dads strong and gentle arm again. Dad always believed in Michael and I. And he told us. I have tried all kinds of self-businesses throughout my life and dad was always the one to support me and encourage me to give it a try. I sold pots and pans, Fuller brush, Avon, you name it. I’ll never forget the time I came home and wanted to sign up to sell Nu Skin. Dad not only encouraged me but he helped me print all my marketing materials. He would always say “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. His attitude taught me the self-confidence to take risks and to not be afraid to fail. Dad often would wake up in the morning and say to us. “Thank God for another day!” We are healthy and alive! He was strong as an Ox. Even at the age of 75 his younger neighbors would ask him for help in lifting air conditioners and heavy things. Dad was the perfect gardener and would spend 8-10 hours a day in the yard in Maine. He had a green thumb like no one you know and could grow anything. So this dreadful illness afflicts my father. Cancer. My strong, healthy dad. How can this be? At first when dad was diagnosed I was so angry that he had to suffer and I would ask God why didn’t you just let him go like Uncle Nick, quiet, peaceful and in his sleep. But God knows what He is doing and I need to tell you what I have witnessed this past year. I have watched my mother who never liked sickness or even touching people become the most compassionate, patient, loving caregiver I have ever witnessed. I have watched her make, serve and clean up lunch only to sit down and then ask my dad if he wanted a piece of toast. When he would say yes she would jump up and start the process all over. Without saying a word. I have watched her change his clothes several times a day when he would be wet with sweat, never tiring or complaining. I have watched her overcome her fear of needles and step up to be the one giving dad his daily shot in his stomach to prevent another blood clot. When you ask her about it she just downplays it and would tell you “ You just do what you need to do and you don’t think about it” Well I can tell you what I think about and what I remember so well is the exchanged glances and smiles that dad would give mom in appreciation for what she does for him. Their love is so deep and it is what you hope and pray for in your lifetime with your mate. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my brother, Michael. The love he showed dad and tenderness with bathing him and grooming him each week. He would shave him and soak his feet and cut his toenails and he did it every week without fail. I know this is hard for him, he is so much like my dad. But what a legacy dad has left. A son with all the kindness and compassion his father has. I know all of you have fond memories of our dad, John Michael Taflas. He will live on in the hearts and souls of all of us. We take comfort in knowing that he is now with our Heavenly Father, reunited with his parents, his brother Teddy, Grammy and Papa, Uncle Tommy, Uncle Jimmy, Terry Hackett, Uncle Nick and our cousin Jerry. Doesn’t sound like such a bad place with that company. We love you dad, we will miss you so terribly much. We promise to take good care of mom for you and we look forward to the day we see you again in heaven. Not goodbye, just until later!