I am Mark Francis Meade, the author, and creator of this website. Originally when I had this idea and started construction on it, my Grandfather was alive and as well as he could have been for being 82 and having stage four cancer. Unfortunately due to quick and unforeseen life events, that is no longer the case. However, I would be absolutely remiss if I did not continue to create this page in his honor. I would like to dedicate this website not only to him but to my mother as well, who I told months ago I had another Christmas present for. She has been a pillar of strength during this trying time and is making him more proud than she will ever know. I know that in his passing he has come to see just how capable she really is, as I am sure that he has watched over her every step of the way. Well, here it is. Mom, I am sorry it took me so long, I had to make everything perfect for you and him.
For those of you who never met him, my Grandfather was a bright personality who made an impact in any room he was in, and in the lives of the people close to him. He never failed to turn up to any event no matter how small, and made sure that even if he wasn’t physically there, you knew he was in spirit. His personal magnetism and caring nature attracted people in droves, many of which he made sure to stay in contact with, as he was never afraid to reach out. There was just something about him that people would trust and be drawn in by, which allowed him to make the impact that he so often did. He was the strongest man I have ever known, as even suffering under the burden of a grim cancer diagnosis, he refused to say anything other than “Oh I’m fine, I feel great actually.” It wasn’t merely him hiding how he felt; to him, he really was going to be okay, and if not, he was content with the storied life he led. Even in his last days, he refused to say he was in pain or complain about anything other than the television channels they had put on for him, choosing only to say how much he wanted to come home and eat dinner with us once more. He was deeply loving, kind, fun-loving, and could sit and tell you stories that would keep you enthralled for days. His humor cut through nervousness and tension and opened up the room, as everyone was bound to laugh with him around. He was like a wise old sage when you needed sound advice, and your best friend when you wanted to have fun. Even after his death, he continues to amaze me. My family and I just keep finding out about more lives he touched, more people he made the time for, and more kind acts he performed; all while not saying a word about any of them. His life was dictated not by recognition, but by what was truly right.
I can’t really begin to describe who or what my Grandfather was to me personally without just starting by saying he was my role model and my hero. I don’t think even those words do justice to how I felt about him, but they come as close as can be. He was everything to me growing up. Even though I love the rest of my family dearly, he had a special place in my heart, and the two of us shared a special bond. His constant presence throughout my life has been absolutely key in making me who I am, as without him I would not be half the man I am today. When my father moved out and I felt lost without him, my grandfather stepped up to fill the void as best he could. He took me to my first job interview, picked me up from school nearly every day, and took walks to chat with me when no one else was around to. I often recall him saying on those walks together that he loved me like I was his own son, with him occasionally making the mistake of calling me his son when talking about me. On my 18th birthday, he gave me a ring that his father had passed to him on his own 18th birthday with a card that read “The world is yours, Mark. It’s almost time for you to reach out and take it.” I treasure that ring and those words, and someday when I have a son of my own to bear the name Francis, I will make sure to pass them on to him.
The comparison has always been made between the two of us, whether it be looks or personality, as from the time I was born I was dubbed his clone. I guess that is somewhat fortunate, as even up into his 80s he was quite the silver fox. Anytime we went anywhere with him we would so often say he was the mayor, as no matter where we seemed to go, he would know at least one person by name. Walking into my 8th grade Veterans day ceremony with him will always be one of my proudest memories, as when he saw how many people greeted me, he turned and said “ I guess you are the mayor here, huh?”. I’ve always found myself relishing those comparisons, and even now when my family catches me saying something that he would’ve, I can’t help but beam with pride.
I’ve written and rewritten these paragraphs more times than I can count because no matter how many times I do, I still feel like I’m not getting across how great of a man he was to me, and everyone around him. I’m thankful that even though he’s not around to see it, everything I’ve written here I have written for him before. I left nothing unsaid between the two of us and made sure I let him know just how instrumental he was in making me who I am. He will forever be my goalpost to strive to surpass, as I know he would want me to be an even more incredible man than him. I know he is still watching me, so I can’t wait to show him everything that he knew I could be. I hope you like your belated Christmas gift Papa, and I hope I did you justice.
To all that have read thus far, I thank you for your time. This website has been a passion project for me to give others who couldn't meet such a great man the opportunity by proxy. I plan to update it periodically as I become more adept with web development, as I want to keep this site in the best condition possible. I hope that you enjoyed it, and if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out using the email link at the bottom of the page.