Hot weather is here to stay in Tucson as we formally welcome summer, but it’s still cool in the mornings, which I love.

It’s also the weekend and time for Randy Seaver’s new Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge.

1)  Sunday is Father’s Day in the USA, and usually a time for memories and gratitude to our paternal birth person.

2)  For this week’s SNGF, tell us three things about your father that are special and memorable to you.

My dad, George Michael Sabo, was born 9 February 1926 in Passaic, Passaic, New Jersey and was born in the same house where both he and I grew up and where we lived until Dad was 37 years old. We both had a love for Passaic with lots of friends and happy memories. I didn’t know anyone else who was born in the house they lived in.

Dad loved sports and, as a young man, was a good athlete. He especially loved playing baseball. However, I have one baseball memory of him that stuck in my mind for a different reason. My mother’s boss held a company get-together in February 1964. The weather was really nice so everyone went outside and the men had a pick up baseball game. Of course, Dad wanted to play and was determined to do well. He really hit the baseball, started around the bases and then slid into home, breaking his collarbone in the process! Mom convinced him to see the doctor on the way home, which we did, but I was really worried about the time. it was the same day that the Beatles debuted on Ed Sullivan! Dad wore an arm sling for a while and he decided he wasn’t going to be sliding into any bases anymore! However, he continued to love sports and supported the Yankees and the Knicks.

Lastly, I have fun memories of Dad when I was a little girl. I was definitely Daddy’s girl. There are photos of Dad taking me for a walk in my baby carriage – in the snow! When I wanted a big girl bicycle, he bought me a beautiful Schwinn pink and white bike with handlebar streamers, which everyone HAD to have. We even had big and little rocking chairs and sat in front of the TV watching shows together.

Sadly, Dad was a heavy smoker – Camels – and he paid dearly with his life. He was only 58 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died just past his 59th birthday.

RIP, Dad! You are missed.