RIP Richard Michael

A photographic tribute to my late grandfather, Richard Michael, who died last week at the age of 89. A veteran of WWII, he served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater at the end of the war, and was actually stationed in the South Pacific when the bombs were dropped on Japan. He went on to make a living for himself and supported his family as a self-taught electrician in the employ of General Electric and as an ordained minister in small town Pennsylvania. 

Since I was not permitted to attend his funeral today (I won't go into details, let us just say that my "family" are a rather spiteful bunch who don't like anyone who leads a different "lifestyle" that them), I have created this photographic tribute to the life of man who meant a great deal to me. It is my own personal way of laying to rest a good man, who always treated those around with nothing but kindness and gentleness. While his passing is hard, he had a good run of it, and went peacefully in his sleep, so at least I know he is no longer troubled by sickness any longer.
I will miss him very much. 

Rest in peace, Pop-Pop. 

A portrait of my grandfather during his time in the Navy. He was younger than I am now.

With my grandmother; date of photo unknown.