GEORGE T. HODGSON JR.
MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

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Hello,  My name is Robert Hodgson and on behalf of myself and my entire family I'd like to thank you just for coming to this website.  The fact that you're here, reading this, shows that you are just the person we are trying to reach in our efforts to help others and honor our father, husband, grampa, George.

I suppose I should start by telling you a little about George.  I could write volumes about my Dad, but I'll try to keep it brief.  My Dad saw and did a lot of things in his lifetime, including; landing on the beach at Normandy in World War II and marching on to Berlin, He married a beautiful woman named Frances, he graduated from Northeastern University as a chemical engineer, he raised nine children, he served as an auxiliary police officer in Melrose, Ma. for over 20 years. He was a talented craftsman and woodworker, he was an avid outdoorsman and had a great respect and appreciation of the natural world. These are things my father did in his lifetime, but they cannot fully convey who he was. 

George was an honest, intelligent, compassionate, generous,  loving and pious man of the highest moral caliber.  He would truly give you the shirt off his back and expect nothing in return.  He was guided by a strong moral compass and never wavered from it's designated path.  He was fond of saying "don't ever sell yourself short for a buck."  There were no riches great enough to compromise his sense of what was right.  He never had a bad word to say of another.  We've all heard the expression " if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."  Unlike many, my father actually practiced this philosophy.  If he had something to say, he would say it to you directly and not to others, behind your back.

In his final years, my father was left mostly paralyzed by a stroke and almost completely blind due to macular degeneration.  He spent the better part of several years sitting in his easy chair, listening to a television he could not see.  In spite of this, I never once heard him complain or express any self-pity.  I don't know if I would have the strength of mind or soul to endure that kind of existence, but that was just another case of my Dad leading and teaching us by example.  He accepted the hand he had been dealt and made the best of it.  Through his strength, we were blessed with his presence for just a little longer.

I'm not sure what his IQ was, but I can assure you it was well over 160.  Anyone who ever met my father, even briefly, will confirm this.  He was never pretentious or condescending, but you didn't need to speak to him for very long to glean the wisdom in his words.  His mind remained sharp as a tack to the very end and, if you knew my Dad, you will not be surprised to learn that he exercised his brain in various ways including calculating the velocity of a Pedro Martinez' fast ball in his head while listening to the game on the TV.  Did I mention he was a baseball fan?  I cried when the Red Sox won the World Series because my Dad wasn't here to see it.  My Dad would have really enjoyed that series, Not just because it was the Sox, but because a bunch of guys clawed their way back from almost certain defeat to claim victory.  He definitely had a place in his heart for the underdog.

I truly believe that my Dad could have given up at any time, but to give up was not in his nature.  I find evidence of this in the timing of his final moments.  I, along with my son, Robert Junior, lived with my Mom and Dad in Melrose.  This was the only home my son ever knew and he and my Dad were truly best friends.  They watched cartoons together every day and played endless games, most of which only Robert knew the rules to.  In the autumn of 2002 my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and doctors estimated he had six months to live.  Shortly thereafter, Me and Robert, who was ten years old at the time, kissed my Dad goodbye and boarded a plane bound for Disneyland. We would only be gone for a week.  Almost immediately after our departure, my Dad began to succumb to the cancer.  He would not be home when we returned.  I believe that my Dad saw an opportunity to spare my son from watching him pass away and he took it.  That was my Dad!  Thinking of others before himself until the very end.

In my Dad's final days, Hospice care was provided free of charge by Hallmark Health. They helped my Dad to remain comfortable and pain free in his final hours and allowed him to leave this world for the next with dignity. This was a great service to my Dad and my whole family as well. We were so impressed with the care they provided that we wanted to do something to help them with their mission. My brother Joe took up the cause with this golf tournament and the rest of us hopped onboard. It has become a wonderful family tradition that allows us to celebrate our father's life and honor his memory.

Your participation or donations to the George T. Hodgson Jr. Memorial Trust will help Hallmark Hospice continue to provide their compassionate services to patients and families in need. "Everyone is or will be affected by death or grief in their lifetime." "Your gift, big or small, will make a difference in someone's life and in the quality of care available to those facing a terminal illness."

 

Thank you,

Robert Hodgson & the entire Hodgson family

 

Copyright © 2005  George T. Hodgson Jr. Memorial Trust.   All rights reserved.
Revised: 10/27/11