Sunday, September 07, 2008
Many Thanks

So many thanks to all of you for your kind words to us. We are still working through some things here in NY, but should be getting back to Memphis by Wednesday. We are so thankful for all of you that have made it possible tp spend this time with Margaret and our family in NY. Once again, Andy and Ginny Gross have done an outstanding job of handling all of HFH for us while we've been gone. I hear that this weekend, there are 21 amish people staying in the house. Looking forward to getting home and being part of it!

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Monday, September 01, 2008
One More Day with My Dad

The following is the eulogy Mark gave on Friday in honor of his dad, Gary  Horrocks.  Live on Gary, in peace, rest and eternal joy.  We love you with all the love we can offer in this mortal world.  See you soon.

     I want to thank each and every one for coming today and joining us in this celebration service for my Dad.  I'm sure each one of you has a story about my dad and I wish we could sit here for a few hours to hear those stories.  As most of you know, my dad was a story teller.  He always had a story to tell... something about the Navy days or something about the bachelor pad days or something about growing up with a bunch of cousins on the lake.   Rick, Jerry, Maynard, Craig...I'm sure each of you has some dirt on my dad that we would all love to hear.  I remember stories my Dad told me about driving from CA to NY straight in just a couple of days.  I remember my Dad telling us about all the times he hitchhiked back from Connecticut to see a girl named Margaret, who later became Ralph and then I knew as Mom.  My dad recently shared with me the only time he ever asked his parents for money was when he had a bad poker night in the navy and had to call home for money because he was broke.  This, I understand, was the last time he played poker in the Navy.   I remember hearing about the glory days of bachelorhood after the navy and the all night card games, the guys having their own meat cooler and being tough guys with corvettes and motorcycles.   I know there are 1000's of these stories and I hope that many of you will share these stories with us later today. 

            Today I would like for you hear a story about a good man, his name is Gary Horrocks.  I would like to share with a few things that you may or may not know. My father was one of the most caring, selfless and giving Gentlemen I have ever met.  Growing up as a kid, I never realized it, but we made do with little money.   As I began to have children of my own, I began to think back about what my father was like when I was a kid.  One of my greatest memories as a child growing up was our summers at the lake; something that my family and I were able to do with my dad just a few weeks ago.  My dad's vacation time revolved around summer.  He would set up his vacation so he would spend as much time as possible with his family at the cottage.  Most of you have been fortunate to have spent some time at the Conesus Lake Estate.  All 250 sqft of it!  But as many of you know that cottage is bigger than just its size, it's a living memory of times with Dad. During our summers growing up, when John and I were out of school, he would work 2 weeks, take 2 weeks off, work 2 weeks, then take 2 weeks off.  I'm sure many of us fathers here wish we were able to do that with our children.

            Looking back I see a man who gave of himself and his time relentlessly.  He spent over 20 years of his life living next to his mother in law Helen....Now that is a true test of patience!   From what I know about Helen, she was quite a whipper snapper and my dad and her sure had their moments.  I think he knew just how to push her buttons.  Later in Helen's life I remember my parents giving their all to take care of her in the last days of her life.  Round the clock care was given to keep her in the comforts of home until the end of her life.  During this time and shortly after I remember my parents giving their time and help to Walt and Peggy McLaughlin.  My dad and mom taking care of all their needs and once again walked Peggy and eventually Walter through their last days here with us.  As my Aunty Lillian's health declined and my grandparents mental health slowly declined I remember our visits becoming more frequent.   Once again they walked with another close relative and did all they could to support Aunt Lillian through the last days of her life.   Shortly after Aunt Lillian’s death my paternal grandparents’ health began to decline rapidly.   I remember between home healthcare and my parents weekly and sometime daily visits to do all he could to keep them in the comforts of their home and make sure all their needs were taken care of.  He gave his time, his resources and his love day after day.  He humbly had to take care of his own father in ways that he could have never dreamed of.  When he had no other choice, but to put them into assisted living, he was so faithful to go in and see them as much as possible until their time expired here on earth.   As many of you know my parents had a close bond with Uncle Harry and Aunt Mary and they used love to visit and spend time with them.   As if my dad did not have enough going on, his own parents’ best friends needed some help and assistance and my parents were the first ones at the door to help.  After Charlie's death it was very apparent that Edna would need weekly help getting to her doctors’ appointments, getting her groceries and helping out around the house.  This was something that my dad was very experienced in doing and had great compassion to do...he continued to do this up until last week.  Edna, not having any family of her own left, said in her own words just a few days ago that Gary was family to her and she loved him like he was her own son.  Did I mention that in the midst of being able to reach out and help those in need, he even dropped everything to come be with my family during all of my daughter’s surgeries and treatment after her cancer diagnosis?  And on top of all that he was active in the local food pantry and bringing groceries to those who could not get out to get them on their own.

     My father, Gary Horrocks, was man who put others before himself.  To me he was one of the greatest examples of loving others.  Jesus said in the book of Matthew, "in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." This is exactly what my father did. Maybe he had a problem and just could not say "NO".  Maybe my mom and he didn't realize that people get paid good money to do what they have been doing for the past 15 years.  I'd like to think that is not the case. I'd like for all of you to remember that my dad gave it his all.  That if he saw someone that needed help, he would drop everything to help that person.  In the book of Proverbs is says that "a generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”  My father did prosper.  His riches were not in fancy cars, big houses or expensive vacations, my father's riches were in his family, his friends and the relationship he had with those he cared for.  Proverbs 13:22 says that "A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children".   My own children will reap from knowing what an incredible man and servant their grandfather was.

    I would like to close this morning by asking you to take a look at your own life.  How are you serving others? Are you putting others before yourself?  My dad changed the world around him by making it a better place and I hope and pray that we all can have that desire.  This afternoon I want to encourage you share some stories about my father… my mom, my brother and our family would love to hear about the imprint of Dad's life upon yours. Finally, in Proverbs 22:1 it says that "A good name is more desirable then great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver and gold."  My dad had a good name and I pray that I could be as selfless and giving as he was.  I miss my Dad. I, like many of you, just wish that I could have one more day with my dad.

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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Funeral Arrangements for Mark's Dad

Gary Allen Horrocks

May 19, 1943-August 25, 2008.

Arrangements by Stevenson-Dougherty Funeral Home, Avon, NY.

Viewing Friday August 29, 2008 2-4pm and 7-9pm.

Service at St. Agnes Church; Avon NY. Saturday August 30th, 11am burial following.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Habitat for Hope.

Habitat for Hope will provide a beautiful flower arrangement for the service.

Mylissa and I are so thankful for the love and prayers during this time, as is the entire Horrocks family.

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Monday, August 25, 2008
Papa

We learned early this morning that Mark's dad, Gary Horrocks, died suddenly around 5am. We truly believe he is now in the loving arms of Jesus. He was not sick, and in fact had played in a golf tournament the day before. Because of his past heart issues, we believe he had a heart attack. Please continue to pray for our family - especially Mark and his mom, Margaret Horrocks. Mark gets to NY by plane in about 2 hours, and the kids and I are following by car.

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Blessings in Memphis

Blessings in Memphis

Hi all!
The past couple of weeks have been heavy with meetings regarding the expansion of the HFH property. Today, we can happily report that the Shelby County Commision and the Memphis City Council unanimously approved the rezoning of the property and plans for long-term use. Praise God!

We have begun moving the blog to its new location on the new website. Bear with us while that exchange occurs.

Blessings!
Mark and Mylissa

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