Today was a sad day for the Dyer Family. They laid their son, brother, husband, daddy, uncle Patrick Dyer to rest.
It was a sad day for 'Valley Parkers', too. For those of us who grew up in the Valley Park neighborhood we remember quite vividly running around and playing with each other.....especially the 'Dyer kids'. There were 5 of them for goodness sakes! 4 boys and 1 girl. And who can forget Mr. Dyer's trumpet-of-a-whistle when the street lights went out and it was time for the Dyers to go in every night. Well, the truth is that when we heard that whistle, it was time for all of us to head home!
While in The Queen of Apostles Church today for Pat's funeral (yes, I'm aware that it is now referred to St Gabriel's Parish but to all of us, it will always be Queen of Apostles Church!) I couldn't help but think about all of us kids running around the streets of Valley Park. Craig Place, Jones Avenue, Barclay Drive, Paterson Avenue, Charles Place, Canterbury Drive and Mahoney Road were the main drags.
The loss of Pat has just hit too close to home, on many levels. He was one of us. Only 53.
Let's choose to remember that little kid playing ball and hide-and-seek. Remember the laugh and that big old grin. He was one of us.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Dyer family and friends of the family, but especially to Mrs. Dyer. No parent should have to bury their child. Should you like to send your condolences, you can send them to 31 Craig Place, Pennsville, NJ 08070.
"Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail and mortal life shall cease
I shall posess within the veil, a life of joy and peace." ~ from the hymn Amazing Grace
