To the world, he was a citrus industry giant, and produce pioneer. To our family, he was Uncle Sam. To the rest of the family, he was a brother, a dad, a grandfather (Pop), great-grandfather, and great-great grandfather. A true family Patriarch to a large family that included 3 children, 18 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, plus all of their spouses. His siblings gave him 12 nieces and nephews, plus spouses, and offspring. The family numbers in the 100’s. He did not turn his back on family, and welcomed spouses, and step-grandchildren, as his very own. Never used the word “step”, or “in-law”. Just son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew. The word “step” or “in-law” was not part of his vernacular. He knew family was complicated, but always figured, if the person were good enough for the family member, they were good enough for him, and he carried on with love and welcoming arms. With enough love for everyone, he knew a little something about each family member, and like his mother before him, knew every single name. Knowing he would be gone by week’s end, he said goodbye to colleagues (yes he still worked every single day), and made sure he filled the family gathering house with plenty of groceries. He even gave me my orders for what to cook for Sunday dinner. Two pork roasts, potatoes, and asparagus. He lived life until he took his very last breath at 91. Gone from this earth, but embedded into our hearts and souls forever. He left the earth on his terms. Of failing health in the last months, he took his last breath and left this earth, on his terms, the 15th anniversary of the death of his wife Mary. I will miss cooking for him on Sundays, and his 30second calls on early Thursday mornings of what he would pick up at the market for the menu. 40 or 50 people was not an unusual number of people for Sunday dinner, and I was honored that he trusted me to get it done. I will miss him for the rest of my life. Thank you for all you did for us Uncle Sam, your legacy will live on forever. Here is my tribute to our beloved Uncle Sam. Mi Familia.