The following few lines were from my post on August 28 on Facebook:
My husband, my lover, my friend...I have missed his presence all day. He slipped away at the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center this morning at 5:05 while Maggie and I slept near him. Thank you all for your loving support over the last 16 months as I cared for him...while at the same time knowing I was loosing him. Caring for him though very difficult at times, taught me much about compassion for another and much about myself. It was the hardest, most frustrating, and the most loving thing I have ever done. I love you Richard Rodi...
And my life has changed as his is no more. How does that even make any sense? My husband of 49 years passed away on the early morning of August 28. It is four weeks today. I wear four bracelets to remember...like I would ever forget. There are details of course from that previous blog post where I knew we were on our way yet I could not grasp it...right to the end I was numb. My brain knew it was happening but my heart refused to engage in this foolishness. But the end came...he had to go to the inpatient hospice center as his symptoms were no longer able to be controlled and for eight days I was no longer his care giver but rather just his wife. I was given eight days, five with which he was non responsive, for me to just love, talk, and touch him and nothing more. And yes, watch him leave a little each day.
But four weeks have indeed gone by and my heart is broken. I am lost with out this person who has been a major part of my life for 50 years, almost all of my life as well the father of my five children, and grandfather to eight. I have a lot of grief and mourning to do...a lot of feelings to deal with, tears to shed, and try to figure out what the hell just happened to us. Puff, and it is over...
Richard Rodi
Obituary
RODI,
RICHARD R., SR., 66, passed away Wednesday August 28, 2013 at the
Philip Hulitar Home & Hospice Inpatient Center, Providence. He was
the beloved husband of Carol Ann (McGillivary) Rodi. Born in Providence a
son of the late Alfred Rodi, Sr. and the late Lucia Sionne. Mr. Rodi
was a Truck driver for Waste Management. Besides his wife, he is
survived by two sons, Richard Rodi, Jr. of Cranston, Gregory Rodi of
Alabama, three daughters, Deanna Quaranta of Woonsocket, Cheryl Rodi,
Julie Lyons, both of Cranston, and eight grandchildren. He was the
brother of Alfred Rodi, Jr., Joyce Ianniello and the late Robert and Ann
Rodi. His funeral is Saturday at 10:30 a.m. from "WOODLAWN" Funeral
Home, 600 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston followed by a funeral service at 12
noon in Christ Church, 1025 Main Street, East Greenwich. CALLING HOURS
Friday 5-8 p.m. www.WoodlawnGattone.com
Published in The Providence Journal on August 29, 2013
Richard Rodi
Obituary
RODI,
RICHARD R., SR., 66, passed away Wednesday August 28, 2013 at the
Philip Hulitar Home & Hospice Inpatient Center, Providence. He was
the beloved husband of Carol Ann (McGillivary) Rodi. Born in Providence a
son of the late Alfred Rodi, Sr. and the late Lucia Sionne. Mr. Rodi
was a Truck driver for Waste Management. Besides his wife, he is
survived by two sons, Richard Rodi, Jr. of Cranston, Gregory Rodi of
Alabama, three daughters, Deanna Quaranta of Woonsocket, Cheryl Rodi,
Julie Lyons, both of Cranston, and eight grandchildren. He was the
brother of Alfred Rodi, Jr., Joyce Ianniello and the late Robert and Ann
Rodi. His funeral is Saturday at 10:30 a.m. from "WOODLAWN" Funeral
Home, 600 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston followed by a funeral service at 12
noon in Christ Church, 1025 Main Street, East Greenwich. CALLING HOURS
Friday 5-8 p.m. www.WoodlawnGattone.com
Published in The Providence Journal on August 29, 2013
