King George

I like to say I was treated like King George when things go well. And I was treated like a King this whole week-end. Here is a picture of me with my grand daughter Lila on my new sofa. I enjoy listening to the Big Band music on the cassette tapes as I relax with my feet up. For my birthday, I received a new player with records of Irish music and more Big Band songs. Kit tells me there is no needle involved. Lila and Kit set up the player during their visit. We listened to many favorites such as Danny Boy, Wild Irish Rose, and When Irish Eyes are Smiling.

Another member of my family who has been treated like a King is my great grand son John Eugenio. Everyone wants to hold him.......It was a special treat his parents were able to make the long trip to Virginia for my birthday party. My son Jack's family could be no happier.

Balloon Send-off to Kitty

Nora arranged for a balloon send-off to Kitty. I said a prayer and a greeting to Kitty. Then I let the balloons go up into heaven.

Four and Five Generations

I am fortunate to have so many people named after me - my son Jack, grandson John Connor, grandson John Edward, and great grandson John Eugenio.

Here is a picture of the four generations from great grand father, grandfather, father, and son.

And here is a picture with Charlie's son John Edward which makes it five generations.

My 90th Birthday Party Speech

July 28, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

I want to say a few words on my 90th birthday. When I was about 12 years old, I was helping the Sisters of St. Josephs one Saturday when this pretty girl was at the front door coming in for her lesson the piano. It was Kitty. I said that is the wife for me.

13 years later – after both of us had been dating others, I asked Kitty for a date. She said I have company here by the name of Jean Cunningham. I said I’ll be able to take both of you to the movies, so Kitty said OK. The next night we had our first date at Farrad’s outdoor restaurant. On the following night, we went to the Nightingale restaurant below Alexandria VA, for dinner and dancing.

Getting to know and love each other we decided to get married on Memorial Day 1941. Our first son John was born on 9-18-42.

Kitty and me just had Jack for about 10 years. We wanted to have more brothers and sisters to complete Jack’s life and our life. So Kitty, me and Jack drove to St. Anne de Beaupre 30 miles east of Quebec City, where we prayed on every step to St. Anne de Beaupre, and prayed to have sisters and brothers for Jack, Mom, and me.

My wife Kitty got pregnant and had Nora in 1953, Elsie in 1954, Kit in 1956, Joe in 1958, and Charlie in 1959. These 5 great kids improved Mom and my life in so many ways.

And without these 6 children and their spouses, we would not have had 10 grand children and 2 great grand children today.

My Love Always,


Dad
Grand Dad
Great Grand Dad
And John































After the speech, we passed out gifts Nora ordered from the St. Anne de Beaupre church in Quebec. The children received statues of St. Anne and the grandchildren, nieces and nephews received rosaries.

Pictures from the Party

Opening the many cards, letters, and gifts I had received.

Receiving a picture of myself with my newest great grand child


My son Jack and my daughter-in-law Ellen

The party food

My son-in-law David cooking on the grill while he is chatting with my grandson Kevin

My three daughters Nora, Elsie, and Kit

One of the tables...

My children and their spouses

My grand children, their spouses, and my great grand children

My 90th Birthday Party...It was a flock of people.

A very important time in my life had arrived. I realized I was becoming 90 years old and I just found out life is not over. There is still more to go.

I had so many friends come….My children, grandchildren, nieces nephews, relatives, and friends…. that is going to take me a week or two to find out what happened. I enjoyed it immensely and I am now making plans for my 95th, with the Lord willing.

The food was very delicious prepared by my son-in-law David. He stayed on the grill all day. He had very delicious cheeseburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw, appetizers and fruit. I ate enough to last me through dinner. And at dinner time, I could only eat a couple of cookies. I went off to a very sound sleep, and woke up in the morning at 6 o’clock.

It was a very entertaining day I’ll remember for the rest of my life. And now the best thing to do is to begin to prepare for the next one.

This is my first thank-you letter to Nora....

Dear Nora,

I had the time of my life at the very special 90th Birthday party at your lovely home with the special back porch in its L shape to hold the many people.

David came in 100% with the special cheeseburgers and hot dogs, then the potato salad and delicious fruit, etc. that you added.

Thanks again for a great great 90th Birthday Party. I’ll be answering the cards and letters.

I am looking forward to our Date for dinner this coming Wed night.

Stay as lovely as you are.

Great Grand Dad

Johnny Mann

More pictures of John Eugenio

One of John Eugenio's many adoring aunts - Celie

This is the favorite picture so far. It has been sent around the world and placed as screen savers on cell phones and computers.

A Bad Dream while I was a Soldier

I dreamt I had been captured. I thought ‘there is nothing you can do’. Then I woke up in the mud with the U.S. Army. I was never so happy to be in the field.

My 90th Birthday Party

This has been a busy month for me. My daughter Nora has been making preparations for my 90th birthday party at her house on July 28.

Nora has kept me informed. She showed me the card she designed on the computer.

She set the time at 4 pm as that is when the sun is at a good angle in her front yard. She has rented tents in case it rains. She bought a slush machine and an ice cream maker.

We are going to have peach ice cream in honor of Kitty, as Kitty's family loved homemade peach ice cream. Nora said she will put up a sign and call it "Kitty's ice cream".

I wrote a speech to give my family and friends. Kit has typed it on the computer and will make copies for everyone.

There will be out-of-town guests. My daughter Elsie and granddaughter Lila will be here from Florida. My grandson Kevin will fly in from LA and my granddaughter Kate will come down from New York. The rest of my family is in the area.

John Eugenio

My grandson's wife Carolina had a baby on July 11th making me a great grandfather for the second time. I saw the fella. My grandson John put young John right in my arms. I was very stunned as I haven’t held a baby in awhile. Many pictures were taken. Kit asked me if I wanted to return the baby to the bassinet. I said it would be a good idea for safety sake.

Then Kit got the surprise of her life. John put the baby in her arms. She was also hesitant about holding such a tiny baby, even though he weighed in at 8 lbs 1 ounce. John had Kit sit in a large chair with a special cushion for the baby. Kit was very comfortable for 45 minutes.