On behalf of my family, I want to thank you for coming to celebrate my father’s life today and what a life it is to celebrate! My father was known by many names: Mr. Quinn, Jim, James, Sir James, Saint James and to my mother’s family Zee Famous Pierre Le Duque, and of course the self proclaimed Joe Cool. To his kids he was Dad and on those occasions when dad’s do what dad’s do best, he sometimes became the three syllable version of Dad as in Da-aa-ad. My father was all about teaching life lessons, and did so right up until the end. It was his last lesson that was probably his most important one. The lesson is not that life is not fair; the lesson is what you DO when life is not fair. My father not only said he truly lived by the motto ‘Life is too short to be mad; life is too short to be sad. Although, my father was severely limited by his body, as his health deteriorated; his spirit remained positive throughout his days on earth. We have always said God broke the mold when he created my Dad. He had an ability to connect and find common ground with just about anyone. My father left us with one last gift this past week and that is all of you sharing the impression he made upon you. There has been a consistent thread running through everyone’s recollections: what a lovely man, a special man, a good man he was and how he always made people feel so welcome. My friends have thanked me for sharing him with them, remembering the endless stories, good jokes, bad jokes and great wines we sipped. Towards the end Hospice suggested my mother talk to my Dad about what he wanted at his funeral. In true Dad fashion, he answered “I want to thank everyone for being there for me”…….. So for all of the big and little things you did for my father: for being there, visiting, sending cards, calling him and your friendship, I would like to thank all of you for all of your kindness, care and consideration, for that is what he wanted and I am honored to carry out his final request. For all of the Da-aa-ad’s we said growing up, I am going to miss your life stories and lesson. Rest in Peace Dad, you have certainly earned it.