This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/GKX.2ACIB/7037 Message Board Post: Albuquerque Journal - January 6, 2003 Our father, Matthew Walsh Fox, Jr., was born November 23, 1929 in Duluth, MN, and died January 3, 2003 in Albuquerque, NM. His mother died when he was 14, leaving him feeling responsible for his five younger siblings. This was a sentinel event in his life and therefore in our lives. It is perhaps the reason we all cherish each other and try to care for those whose lives touch us. Matt served as a U.S. Navy signalman during World War II, achieving Petty Officer rank. Following their marriage, he and our mother moved to Albuquerque in 1953 where he worked many years as a plumber. Our mother, his wife of 40 years, Lee Fox, died in 1988. They shared years of camping and traveling before Lee's death. The evening before his death, all eight of us, our spouses, many of our children and his special friend, Lillian Lucas, gathered around his bed to celebrate in love and laughter. We sang his favorite Irish song, The Night that Paddy Murphy Died, and another of his favorites, The Wrec! k of the John B. We felt his love, warmth and wit fill the room through our songs and shared memories. Matt loved every member of his family with equal fervor. He was as close to our spouses, his"outlaws" as he was to each of us. He was the true patriarch of our family. He was a generous, loving, talented and witty man. His sense of humor was pervasive in his life, and in the lives of all of us who loved him. No one escaped his verbal jousting. He would probably be rather annoyed by this entire obituary. He would want those reading it to smile, or even chuckle, and then move on in their day to the most important thing in the world spending time with family. Matt's eight children will sorely miss him: Fred Fox and wife Patty Reed of Silver City, NM; Kate Goldblum and husband Ken of Albuquerque; Mark Fox and wife Carol Myers of Newburg, MO; Nan Eversgerd and husband Andy; Laura Fox and husband Carl Boaz; Maggie Winter; Jeff Fox and wife Joan; Mike Fox and wife Lauri; all of Al! buquerque. Matt had 28 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with whom he shared his love. He will also be missed by his surviving siblings: Nancy Fox, Sally Rosenfeld and husband Ferdy all of San Antonio, TX; Donna Falduto of Chicago, IL; and brother Billy Fox of Duluth, MN. His family and friends celebrated his life and our memories of him on Saturday, January 4, 2003. Please make any memorials to Matt in the form of a special hug for someone you love or a donation to an organization or individual in need; that's what he would have wanted. The following tribute to Grandpa Matt was written by one of his grandsons, David Fox, who read it to him as we gathered around his bed the evening before he died. For each breath we take is yours, Every taste we Sip Is from You. We Love You. This is all from you, Every child, Every man, Every woman. We move through this World in a constant hope that we will succeed, be loved and create more of our own. I think we are all here to Embrace You. Your Family, And your Friends; We are here to comfort you, and ourselves. The way I see it, all of your honor is now being acknowledged. All of your work to maintain your position as a noble man, warrior of the sea, father, grandfather, teacher, and an all-around handyman, is now being graced. And our efforts as people are cherished while we stay here to love you. To Love you for Empowering us with this. This Air. This Food. This Life. For each breath we take is yours, Every taste we Sip, Is from you. WE LOVE YOU.