Comments on: Life Lessons From My Father

By: Amy Maulding Crossett

Amy Maulding Crossett — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 13:21:53 +0000

Your dad and my brother, John Maulding were grade school and high school friends. I remember being at their home and playing with Mary Jo! I connected on fb with your dad a few months before he passed. What an honor!!

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 22:46:31 +0000

In reply to Carol Herzog. Thanks Carol! Yup... still can't believe he's gone. :-(

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 22:45:59 +0000

In reply to Roy Schodtler. Thanks Roy!

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 22:45:50 +0000

In reply to Dave Demeny.

Hi Dave! Thanks so much.

I can recall when I was a kid and he built a steamer to bend wood. His first projects (before the violin) were the shaker boxes that he built after bringing us to shaker villages (specifically, Hancock Shaker Village up in MA) and being intrigued with their simple, stackable design. After that, I recall him building a number of shaker boxes–many as gifts–and then graduating into trying to build the violin. I also recall him flying to Phoenix for a week-long convention to attend a luthier convention. It was super interesting to watch from the inside out… though I never got his talent for woodworking, sadly. (I’m all thumbs in the shop.)

Thanks for your note, Dave!

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 22:42:51 +0000

In reply to Tod Whitmore.

Thanks Tod! I’m doing my best to help Mom out. Thankfully, Southwest has been amazingly understanding and I’ve been able to work remote and be here for the funeral with no issues, and Mom has (and Dad had) the ability to jump on a plane if there’s seats… it makes the world a lot smaller, for sure.

In any case, it’s so tough to say goodbye. He’ll be missed. Thanks for your note!

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 22:40:39 +0000

In reply to Jim Henderson. Thanks Jim! Yup--he sure was. I was glad to call him "Dad."

By: Carol Herzog

Carol Herzog — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 21:26:27 +0000

Wow, what an amazing tribute to your dad. Thank you for sharing it. He was indeed a special guy who will be missed by many.

By: Roy Schodtler

Roy Schodtler — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 21:01:44 +0000

Absolutely touching. God bless him and all of your family.

By: Dave Demeny

Dave Demeny — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 20:48:05 +0000

Joe – Your dad was a very special friend for over twenty years. I was his HR rep and we met with his staff on a regular basis. I learned about all the common interests that we shared, including the violin. I ever enquired about the spruce and maple plates and if he had ever crafted a violin … you don’t build a violin as you would a table, for a violin is like a spouse when it comes to the “thick and thin” of an enduring relationship. Your memories of your father were eloquently written, and I appreciate that I was able to have the opportunity to read what you had written. God Bless!

By: Tod Whitmore

Tod Whitmore — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 20:43:49 +0000

Hello Joe,
Very nice story on your dad! Your dad was my high school (palatine) electronics teacher 1979-1981 when I graduated and both of us got hired at Motorola. We worked together for a number of years until each of us transferred to other departments. I remember you mom and dad lived in Rolling meadows and then to palatine near your grand parents. I lost my parents about 18-20 years ago, I know what your going through. Just stay strong and be there for your mom. Again, very nice story on your dad.