I like AJ because Alex is not that manly, from a man named Algier. A farewell

A tribute to Milt:

It was a sad day on Sunday the 14th of August with the passing of my wife’s father, Algier Milton. Nobody is ever prepared to lose a parent but you have to be thankful for the good times you shared and cherish the memories going forward. This is always easier said by someone who didn't lose there biological parent but knows that it is tough to lose someone you love.

As with everything I deal with in my life, I feel the need to add a little humor and sarcasm since that is how I get through things. I have known Milt since December of 1989 when I made the drive to Bridgeton, Maine to meet my wife’s parents in an attempt to impress them with a flower bouquet that was frozen because I left it in the car overnight through a Maine winter (P.S. I don’t suggest you try that, I don't think he was impressed). If you didn’t know him, he was an unpretentious man with a big heart and a strong love of his family.

Milt, was a “Mainah” through and through. He was happiest spending time with his family, hunting or fishing, trekking through the woods (with our dog Guinness).

Though he denied doing it my dog would return from a week stay with them weighing 10 lbs more then when he left and would get all excited when you opened the fridge because this was his opportunity to help take care of the leftovers. I wonder were he learned that habbit?

Milt was also well known for his career change later in life to that of official “bellhop”. Though he never complained, and I don’t think he ever got tipped, he was very quick at bringing in the bags from your cars and loading it when he was given the 2 minute warning of “Come-on Milton were going home” by his boss. I am not sure if any of us can fill those shoes, the best we can do is to bring the bags in on the same day they arrive.

I am concerned though that now that Milt is no longer with us, how will the dishes get done at any of the Woodbury family gatherings? I don’t think any of us have washed a set of dishes in the last 10 years without his assistance. God forbid you wash them and not ask for assistance; boy will you face the wrath. Well, I hope that when you get settled in your new home, they let you do the dishes.

For all of you that had the pleasure of knowing Milt let me help you finally understand some of his favorite sayings:

“I see what you mean”

This was his way of trying to say, I have no clue what you are saying but I will pretend to be interested.

“What do you mean I can’t wear these ripped jeans and dirty t-shirt out to dinner?”

This was his way of getting his wife close to the boiling point just as he was close to going out of the house. It wasn’t really a trip out to eat unless Big Deb swore at Milt to change his clothes.

“That sounds good, I will have the same”

I am convinced that Milt has never read a restaurant menu in the 16 years I have known him, if I order Cow’s brain on a multigrain bun, Milt wood get the same.

“Want to go smelting”

Milt was happiest out in the woods and though I heard him ask Big Deb a hundred times to go out fishing I don’t think she was ever interested in going. At least he was nice enough to ask.

“Thank you for the gift”

If you ever bought Milt a present for his Birthday or Christmas, don’t expect to see him use it. He cherished all of the gifts and thus put them away in the gun case for safe keeping. I think when you open that case you are sure to find a few hats, shirts, hunting gear etc that have never seen the light of day.

Altogether, a good man has left us in body but not in spirit. We will always save you a dish towel to help out with the dishes and thanks a lot for leaving us with the chore of loading the car.

You will be missed, and in your honor this year I will get up at 4:00 AM, dress in Camo, trek into the woods wearing an orange vest and go searching for Bambi and or a nice ribeye steak in your honor. I will also go "smelting" this year and I will make sure I invite your wife as you always did, wouldn't he be dammed if she actually agreed to go this time.

Your family misses you and your memory will always be cherished and passed on to Alex (a.k.a. "AJ").

Cheers...