As you allheard, Boris passed away 3 weeks ago. His daughter
Karen has received many messages and has asked me to post the
following thank you note.
Dear NMR Friends,
I want to thank you all for your condolences on my father's death.
I was completely overwhelmed when I came into work and opened my
e-mail. It is wonderful to know he had so many people that cared
about him. Reading each note and story brought me so much
happiness. It was very moving. I have forwarded all e--mails to my
brother Gregory in Japan (samsonoffg@msn.com) and will make copies
and send them to my other brother Michael in England.
I'd like to share with you his last few months as these were good
times that he was able to spend with his family and friends.
In July Michael and his girlfriend were able to spend a week with
Dad. That's the first sign we had that things were going down hill
because Michael realized Dad should not be alone. Michael made
some preliminary arrangements to get hospice nursing and personal
home health care to visit Dad.
Greg then came over from Japan during August for 3 weeks with his
family. He set Dad up with walkers, a wheelchair and an electric
chair. They cooked meals and took him out for dinner. Dad loved
having the company but he still kept to his own schedule watching
TV (football, motor racing, golf etc - Direct TV was a a
blessing!).
Bob (my husband) and I then went out in August. We increased the
home health care to 7 days a week and made enquiries about getting
Dad in the hospice. At that point the case manager said he should
be in there immediatly. You know Dad though! He wasn't moving
until he was ready!. Whenever the nurse came in he would say "How
do I look?" really putting the poor nurse on the spot! Dad was
still walking at his point with his walker but needed help getting
in and out of bed. He had difficulty using his right arm. On our
last day we took him to Sharkey's on the beach where he actually
ate fish (some of you may remember he hated fish) and loved it!
Jerry Dallas was Dad's next visitor. Dad said they had a blast!
Jerry took Dad to the women's PGA tour right there on the
Plantation. He set Dad up in his wheelchair in the shade. I think
Jerry was originally planning to spend just a couple of days with
Dad but after seeing his condition I have a feeling Jerry extended
his visit. That was so kind.
The last visitor believe it or not was my mother! Yes Dad asked
for Mum to come out! It was good because it gave them a chance to
make peace with each other. They played scrabble just like they
did when they first married. Dad still won but Mum was pleased he
didn't slaughter her like in the past!
The day after Mum left Dad moved into the hospice (he
actually made the decision before Jerry's visit but there
wasn't any room at that time). The hospice did a wonderful
job looking after him. At this point Dad could no longer
walk but insisted that they help him get up into his chair.
He was in the hospice for 2 weeks. When we were told Dad's
blood pressure was 75/40 Bob got on a plane that night. My
doctors didn't want me to travel as I am pregnant in my last
trimester. (Dad knew I am having a girl and her name will be
Nina after Dad's Russian grandmother. ) The hospice set Bob
up with a bed in Dad's room. Bob made some comment about the
Notre Dame football team and Dad grunted and opened his eyes
really wide - Dad HATED Notre Dame (although he couldn't
talk at this point - Dad knew Bob was with him). My husband
is very religious and was prayed with his rosary. Bob
arrived Monday Sept 22nd at 3pm and Dad passed away Tuesday,
Sept 23rd at 9:30am. Bob was with him the whole time. He
said it was very peaceful and Dad was under excellent pain
management. Michael arrived from England that night and Greg
the next night from Japan. Dad requested that there be no
funeral but he wanted his ashes scattered off Steep Rock
Cliff in Washington Connecticut where his mother, father,
brother and grandmother are scattered. Greg and Michael did
this yesterday (October 2nd). They said they felt as though
someone was with them watching over them as they made the
climb (Michael has fought his own battles with bone cancer
and has difficulty walking up hills etc.) Today they are on
their way back to England and Japan. My husband and I plan
to visit the spot next year at this time (with baby Nina).
I have requested that a mass be said for Dad on his next birthday
(birthdate 4/20/32) at St. James Church in Redondo Bch Ca.
Once again we were so happy to hear from you all. Dad always said
he worked with a great bunch of people and had some really nice
friends. What came across from your e mails was that Dad was so
professional and unique in his own way. Yes he was one of a kind.
There will never be another `Boris'!
Sincerely,
Karen Vogt
End of Karen's message
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