Tribute to Dad

Michael Emanuel Bruney, Mikey to most, I am recently learning "Crab Soup" to some, but Dad to me.

I cannot measure or put into words the impact that my father had on my life, in molding me into the man that I am today.

My father taught me the value of hard work that nothing in life will simply be handed to you, you must work for it. While at law school if I asked him about a legal concept or question, instead of getting a precise answer he would point me to a 3000- page law book and tell me "your answer is in there". As much as it annoyed me at the time, it taught me the valuable lesson of self-sufficiency and instilled in me a work ethic which has greatly assisted in my career. My Dad was always a pillar of support to me: Whenever I needed advice and guidance on life's issues he would be right there, even consulting him on whether it was the right time to propose to my girlfriend of several years. I admired his depth of knowledge and wisdom about many facets of life and that is one of his special qualities that I strive for.

He instilled in me the importance of family, always taking me to visit all my aunts, uncles and cousins on the island, no matter the distance. These visits formed the bonds which have provided me with the vital support of family, during this sorrowful time.

I witnessed my father's kindness to others first-hand and it is now even more apparent to me from the outpouring of sympathy and tributes from those with whom he crossed paths, and they are from all walks of life. It has certainly helped to make my grief a little easier to bear. Once you were an honest and genuine individual, you would have a friend in him for life. In his passing the wave of support I have received from his close and loyal friends, has served as a testimony to the type of person he was to those he held close and dear to his heart.

The level of admiration I have for my father is immeasurable. Even before the tributes and words of praise I idolized my father, he was affable, jovial, wise, hardworking and kind. He was and still is the type of person I strive to become. It was a blessing to me to have been with him in the last few weeks of his life. I am eternally grateful to the team around him who made this possible Even through the ordeal of his illness his sense of humor was still sharp, and his fighting spirit was still strong. A few Sundays ago, we spent what has now become our last Father's Day together. It was the greatest privilege to be with him, to just sit with him, pray with him and be present to attend to some of his needs.

Dad, I cannot thank you enough for making me into the man I am today. I love you, and I miss you, SO very much!! I pray that I can continue to build upon your legacy and as you said at my wedding reception in February, that when you return in other life 200 years from now, you will observe your legacy and proudly say that you were the one who your started this all.

Rest in Perfect Peace Dad, you may be gone from this life but will never be forgotten.