Monday, November 25, 2013
I have amazing memories of Uncle Bruno. One seemingly insignificant act from 35 years ago, however, tells you exactly the kind of man he was. I was 7 or 8, and Uncle Bruno knew I loved ketchup. So, when he came to visit, he brought me about 8 different sizes and styles of Heinz ketchup jars. Big, little, fat, skinny -- you name it. Who knew they made so many different bottles? To locate all of them, he had to go to multiple stores -- it was not a one-stop shopping event. Even though it was a joke, many years later, I have not forgotten the thoughtfulness of that gift!
Uncle Bruno also introduced me to military time -- the "Cocktail Hours 0700-0659" sign on his boat taught me the value of the 24-hour clock system (I have always wondered what happened during that one minute, though). And I always looked forward to waterskiing, bonfires, listening to the Beach Boys while playing pinball or bumper pool, catching sand sharks, driving the boat to the buoys (it HAD to be an “open boat”), playing softball at the church, and his (sometime questionable) officiating of the Turkey Bowl.
Thank you Uncle Bruno for being a wonderful man and great uncle.
Be thou at peace.
Bob King
The “Ketchup Kid”
