Dad's Eulogy Rev2

Dad’s Eulogy Intro by Priest: Francis (Bud) J. Offermann III, eldest son of the late Francis (Frank) J. Offermann Jr. First and most of all I want to thank all of you – friends, family, and work colleagues for coming today to my father’s memorial service. I especially want to reach out and thank my sister Barbara Townsend, who has been an amazing tour de force organizing all of Dad’s affairs, including all of his legal cases that he was still working on, and this wonderful memorial service. Barbara thanks for your tireless work. Also, a big thanks to my brother Geoff for helping me prepare these remarks of remembrance. Finally, I also want to thank my Mom, for reminding me several times this last week, that there is no such thing as a bad short speech. Thanks Mom. Francis J. Offermann Jr. was otherwise known as Buddy by his siblings, Frank by his professional 1 colleagues, Banka by his grandchildren, and the Big O by his children. And personally for me, he was my Papa Bear. First I want to say a few words about my Dad’s upbringing. My Dad was born on August 11, 1926 to Isabelle Cole and Frank J. Offermann Sr., who was the first Democratic Sheriff in Erie County, owner of Frank J. Offermann Art Works, and one of the owners of the Buffalo Bisons baseball team. Frank and Isabelle raised three sons, Francis Jr., Paul, and Carl and one daughter, Jeanne. When my Dad was 9, his father suddenly passed away, and the boys went off to boarding school at Stella Niagara Cadet School, and then onto La Salle Military Academy. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943, served briefly in the Pacific, and following graduation from Canisius College, married my Mom, Anne Marie Kinney, in 1949 at the age of 23, here at St Josephs University Church. In 1951 he earned his law degree from Georgetown University, and in 1956 he formed the law firm, Offermann, Fallon, and Mahoney. 2 I was born in 1953, followed by my sister Barbara and my brother Geoff. My Dad was above all else, an exceptionally kind and generous person, a fact affirmed in the many condolence letters. I recall many times in conversation with Dad, if I dare mentioned another person by only their FIRST name, Dad was quick to interrupt and ask what their last name was. He wanted to know the social connections. A definite Facebook pioneer. Dad was a religious man, a practicing Catholic, and a frequent lector at this Church. He encouraged me to be an Alter Boy and took me each morning when I was 10 yrs old, to serve the 6 AM mass for the Sisters of St. Joseph. He made it a point of attending all the wakes and the funerals of the many people he had come know in his life. There were no limits to his participation in these events. If he knew anyone in the family, he would be there. Now let me briefly speak to Dad’s 3 loves; Baseball, Law, and Family. 3 Baseball Dad loved baseball. His father was an owner of the Buffalo Bison’s and I remember going to many games at Offermann Stadium and watching games from up in the press box, cheering on one of my favorite players, Luke Easter. Dad also coached our baseball team at Mt. St Joseph’s. In the recent years I had set my mind upon taking Dad to a World Series game. So when the San Francisco Giants were in the 2010 World Series I quickly called Dad and invited him out to Game 1. So here is how the intersection of his love for Baseball and his love for Law played out. Dad called me back and said that while he would love to come out to Game 1, he had an important legal brief to get out so how about Game 6 ? Of course the Giants won the 2010 World Series in 5 games and there was no Game 6. So his love of the Law came before his love for Baseball. Subsequently, the next year my brother Geoff and I did take Dad to Game 1 of the 2011 World Series in St. Louis and we had a wonderful time. 4 Law Dad was active in the Bar Association of Erie County and most recently he represented pro bono, elderly women who were victims of predatory lending. He also worked closely with the Sisters of St. Francis of Stella Niagara and the Buffalo Academy of Sacred Heart. Dad loved law and continued to work until the time of his death. After leaving the law firm he started, he continued working from home, putting in many hours each day in my old bedroom, which he converted into his office. I definitely found inspiration in writing these remarks while seated this week at his home office desk. In addition to practicing law for 60 years, my Dad also followed his father’s footsteps and entered the political arena in 1958 at the age of 32, when he ran for State Senator. I recall the excitement of the campaign, with the big search lights next to his campaign trailer, and the campaign post cards with the slogan “You’ll Be Better Off with Offermann”. He lost that election, one he was not expected to win as a Democrat in the Republican dominated 57th district, and he continued on with his legal career without any further political aspirations. 5 Family He was ALWAYS there for us, as well his huge extended family of acquaintances that he made throughout his life. Always supporting each of us in our pursuit of happiness. I want to take just a minute to share with you some of my favorite memoirs of my Dad from a letter I wrote to him on Father’s Day in 2001. Speed Skating. You pampering me before a race and cooking me steak (this was before we knew that pasta was the fast energy food). Skiing. Those wonderful trips to Cervinia, Italy for spring skiing. Remember Pepe, the blood orange juice, and Drambui ? Your Office. Going to your office on a Saturday and playing with all the equipment; Dictaphones and electric typewriters. Sending paper airplanes flying out the 1776 Statler windows onto the streets below with “Help, I’m being kept hostage !!!” scrawled on them, and laughing at the reactions of those that picked them up. 6 Fishing. Those Turkey Pt. fishing trips. Remember our tents blowing away ? Deer Hunting. Going to the Bukowski’s cabin in the winter to hunt deer. Remember the flies, 2 inches deep on the floor that all woke up when we turned on the heat ? Looking for a College. Taking those trip to Carnegie- Mellon, MIT, and Rennselaer to check out the schools, and as I recall a few ball games. Buffalo Bills. Going to all those games with you. Remember you sending me up to Mr. Wilson during a particularly mediocre season and having me ask him for a “new coach” for Christmas ? Understanding. I remember you being very understanding of me when at 4 yrs old I padlocked the doors of the TV cabinet right before Jackie Gleason was coming on and you had to get a locksmith to remove the lock. Camping. Our not too long ago trip to Algonquin with Geoff, and the rain, rain, rain. Buffalo Bisons. Going to those IHL hockey games and watching the fights. 7 In a Tight Spot. Too many to count, but you were always there to bail me out. Finally, I want to say a few words about my Mom, Anne Marie Kinney Offermann, who was Dad’s life long partner. The two of them made for an exceptionally strong partnership that endured for 64 wonderful years. Mom, thanks for being the steady steersman of our family through all of these years and especially during this time. Again thank you all for coming today. Our family asks that you all join us directly from here for a reception at the Buffalo Yacht Club. 8 .

Load more