Patch Readers Share Stories About Their Dads

We asked our readers to share photos and stories about their dads in honor of Father's Day. Here are the submissions we received. Happy Father's Day to all dads, whether they are still with us or not.

JAMES MACON

I'm so blessed to have a man who worked hard to provide for his family and always thought of us first when making the tough decisions in life. Our Mother is the luckiest woman in the world to have him, he loves her and all of us unconditionally. Happy Father's Day James Macon, I love you so very much. - Jannett

My dad grew up in Hartford, moving to Rocky Hill in the early '60s. He worked for G. Fox in Hartford as a clothes buyer before working for the D and L corporation for over 30 years as an executive store planner. When D and L, closed he worked for Walmart for a few years, then Sam's Club where he retired. He loves to travel and spend time with his dog Buddy the beagle.He was on Planning and Zoning for many years in Rocky Hill. He is an active member of the Board of Education in Rocky Hill , where he is up for reelection this November. He was married to my mom for over 43 years until she passed away in February 2015. He now has found love again and got married in May. My dad is such a great man, he was a very hard worker until he retired. He loves his family very much and would do anything for them. - Michelle

BOB CAVANAGH

Bob Cavanagh was born in Wellesley, MA. He served proudly as a carrier pilot in the Navy. He was an aeronautical engineer for 31 years at P&W and received many accolades. To me, his most important job was being a father to his nine children. Throughout my childhood, I always remember him giving us his time. Starting with the family camping trips, to all the teams he coached, to all the homework questions he was there to answer. I always remember him reading, and talking to him about everything that was going on in the world. I always learned something new from those conversations. He was a very smart, supportive, kind and loving father whom I was and always will be privileged to call my Dad. - Patty

Gerald Skarzynski proudly served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He was in the 82nd Airborne. A Paratrooper. I remember him telling us about how his chute got stuck on some branches and he was dangling from a tree. The Koreans didn't know what to think of a 6-foot-4 guy dangling there. And shot at him. He was shot in the knee and received a Purple Heart. He loved his country. Both his other brothers served as well, in the Navy. Dad married mom and had 5 children. We grew up on Raffia Road in Enfield. He loved decorating our home for Christmas, his favorite time of year. People would come from all over to see his decorative figures, which included a life size sleigh and reindeer with a red nose Rudolph on the roof. Dad worked as an electrician for my grandfather at their family business for years, then went to work for Pratt and Whitney and Colt Industries. He loved being around people, having a great time. One of his favorite sayings people would hear him say was, "EVERYONE IN THE POOL." He loved being at the lake for the Enfield Fish and Game Club. I miss my dad dearly. Luckily he was around to walk my sister and I down the aisle for our weddings, and he got to meet a few of his grandchildren before he passed on July 15, 1994. My mom joined him in Heaven Sept. 20, 2014. Forever in my heart. - Chris

How many people can say their dad is the most loving, hard working, reliable and caring father? Three people - myself, my brother and sister. My dad was at every single sporting event. Even if he had been working all night, I knew my biggest cheerleader would be there in the stands. He chose me over sleep. I can genuinely say my dad is my hero. If I can be half the parent he is, my kids will be lucky. Happy Father's Day to the world's greatest dad and poppa! Thank you for putting up with me all these years! - Desiree

MIKE PASQUANTONIO

This is a small tribute to my husband, and father of my two daughters, Sofia and Ava Pasquantonio. This picture is from his retirement ceremony, flanked by his mother and father. Michael Pasquantonio grew up in New Hampshire, where he lived until joining the Air Force in 1989. He served his country on active duty for 22 years, retiring in 2011 after living in California, the Netherlands, Alaska, Virginia (twice), Nebraska, Arizona, Colorado and finally settling in Connecticut with his wife and two daughters, Sofia (13) and Ava (9). He is currently the Fleet Manager for Rideshare. - Sonja

His laugh is infectious; his sneezes bizarre.
Giant bear hugs and a math brain go far.
A shout of your name heard two miles away.
Soccer, biking, and gardening to play.
Whiskey, wine and his “women” revered.
“Happy Father’s Day: We love you” everyone cheered.

My father Phil Shea is the best dad a daughter could ask for. He has a wonderful sense of humor, he is a caring, kind, giving man. He was married to my mom for 57 years and loved her dearly. Born in Holyoke, MA in 1938, he joined the Marine Corps at age 15. In the '50s he met my mom in Miami Beach, FL, married, worked for Boeing at Nassau in the '60s and then had two beautiful daughters. He moved his family to Enfield in the '70s and worked for CT DEP for 20 years. He is now retired, has three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and remains faithful to his beloved parish, St. Patrick's Church in Enfield. I love him dearly. - Erin

Herman Dehnel ... marine police officer ... baseball coach ... a veteran ... now a flag advocate who makes sure everyone who wants to fly the colors can ... a guy that gets it - always has and always will. It's been a privilege to call him Dad. - Chris

WAYNE JENSEN

Grew up in Manchester, entered the U.S. Air Force after graduating high school and served in Korea, then married Mom in 1956. They lived in Manchester, Enfield and Vernon before settling permanently in Enfield in 1970. He worked for 35 years at Hartford Hospital, plus toiled at a second job in the early years to provide better for his family of five kids. He was married to Mom for 54 years before he passed on the worst day of my life - Dec. 17, 2010. He was a throwback to the way dads should be - always attending his kids' (and later, his grandchildren's) games, school concerts, activities - whatever was important to them. As I have said many times before, and will say many times again - my siblings and I were lucky, because while everyone has a father, we had a Dad. - Tim

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