Linda Bell
Lester Belgrad was my father. He married Marion Easterday around 1958 after they had been dating since 1949. He saw my mother pushing a baby carriage and was quite stricken by her beauty. He followed her to her home and returned the next day with his sister, Dorothy, as he wanted a proper introduction first with my grandmother and then with Marion. It was important to make a formal introduction with his sister accompanying him and not alarm my grandmother that his intentions were anything but honorable. It must have worked as they dated for nine years and saw each other daily. During the day while my mom was at work he would stop by our house and look in on my grandmother, my uncle, my brother and myself and sometimes would walk us to her job at the end of the workday so we could surprise her. He truly loved her. He also took the role of family man seriously although he had little practical experience. When they married he adopted my brother and i as his own. After they were wed he stated if he knew he would have been that happy they would have married sooner.
I remember him as a man full of life and humor. He would break out in song at any given time. He was a great story teller and joke teller. Our home was filled with life and warmth. They never had arguments. The only time i saw him mad was when his wedding ring was stolen during a robbery. He was pissed they took his wedding band. He made a phone call and that individual called back; he asked if i wanted to go for a ride. I did. He got his ring back that night.
When he died, our home was empty. The joy and laughter were silenced. He was such a life force and our lives were changed forever.
Their marriage was only a little over two years but their love was a lifetime.
That is how i remember Lester. A shining light composed of joy, humor and love.
I remember him as a man full of life and humor. He would break out in song at any given time. He was a great story teller and joke teller. Our home was filled with life and warmth. They never had arguments. The only time i saw him mad was when his wedding ring was stolen during a robbery. He was pissed they took his wedding band. He made a phone call and that individual called back; he asked if i wanted to go for a ride. I did. He got his ring back that night.
When he died, our home was empty. The joy and laughter were silenced. He was such a life force and our lives were changed forever.
Their marriage was only a little over two years but their love was a lifetime.
That is how i remember Lester. A shining light composed of joy, humor and love.
