My father’s journey came to an end, and we buried him today.
For as long as I can remember, he truly enjoyed swag.
Me? I don’t really like logos or labels. Tool branded hats? T-shirts? Pens? He’d light up at the sight.
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He’d wear them and it brought him joy. The next time we’d visit, “look what I’m wearing!”
I gave him a Harbor Freight hat a few months ago – shown above – and he immediately put it on. They sent 2 (thank you!), so I kept one for myself. I don’t wear hats often, but maybe I’d need it.
I also brought him my Milwaukee Pipeline hat a few months ago. It was on a shelf near him when I visited a week ago.
Last year I gave him this collection of Makita hats. If I recall correctly, these arrived with the MakTrak test samples. The variety was awesome! I almost kept one or two for myself.
I needed to send him off with a hat.
I didn’t want to drive a couple of hours to my parents’ house to look around for a suitable hat. I’m not ready to start going through stuff. I couldn’t buy him a Yankee hat. He loved the Yankees, but would say “don’t spend money on me!” I also didn’t want to task my mom, sister, or anyone else with finding a suitable hat.
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So I searched around. I pass along most swag, and couldn’t find any hats – I already gave them all away (mostly to him). I did find a Milwaukee bump cap hat, but that’s not something I would have given him.
I have another Milwaukee hat somewhere, but he didn’t like fitted hats – he preferred snapback-style hats.
But then I remembered the extra hat that Harbor Freight had sent over along with some test samples – the one I kept in case I needed it. That’ll do. I don’t think he’d ever been to a Harbor Freight store, but that doesn’t matter.
The Harbor Freight hat would be perfect.
It would have drawn a smile. There would be no smile this time. He doesn’t need a hat anymore. But it made me feel just a little better to know he’d have one, forever, just in case.
I spoke to the clergyman yesterday, and my sister spoke to him before that. Apparently we both told him the same joke my dad would say. At the graveside service today, he remarked: “I hear this is a very popular place to be, people are dying to get in.”
Jason
So sorry for your loss! Sounds a lot like my pops, loves a good SnapBack and free > paid regardless of the hat. I’m gonna go call my dad. 💔
Rog
I’m very sorry for your loss, Stuart. I don’t look forward to the day I have to do the same.
Samuel V.
My condolences to you and your family. I hope thinking of the hat will bring you comfort as you grieve. May you all have the strength to carry your grief just a bit easier as each moment passes.
Stuart
Thank you everyone!
Trying to decide what to send him off with was a welcome distraction.
Chrisk1970
Wow Stuart, I am sorry for you and your families loss.
DC
Condolences from my family to yours Stu. Can I ask your father’s name so I can say a prayer for him and your family? I understand if you’d rather not share this and im sure God will know who I’m referring to anyway.
Lyle
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m glad to hear that your dad enjoyed getting swag from you and that you have the kind of job that could provide him with an abundance of it. My condolences to you and your family.
Ozy
Please accept my deepest condolences.
I am a professional gravedigger, and I am sure the greatest care was taken in providing your father’s resting place.
Thank you for taking the time to post a heartwarming and thoughtful entry today.
Terry Burton
I’m so sorry for your loss Stuart. That was I nice gesture and I’m glad you shared it with us. My sincere condolences.
Pablo
Condolences to you and your family Stuart. My father passed away at the end of December. He too had baseball hat collection he loved, with caps from every step of his life. Many were tool brand ones I had given him. We displayed them at his memorial.
Thanks for sharing. Your post brought me of fond memory of my dad.
Stuart
Thank you! I am sorry to hear about your father, and appreciate your sharing.
A W
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m sure he was a fantastic Grandpa, and I’m sorry that he’s gone.
My deepest condolences.
ColeTrain
I’m wearing that hat as we speak and buy one monthly because they fit my head and are cheap. I lite up when I saw this swag that fit my head probably much like your father would. Sorry for your loss man… You and your family are in my hearts today.
Scott K
I’m so sorry for your loss – condolences to you and your family. Hopefully the happy memories help during this difficult time.
Tirapop
Condolences.
Jim
Sorry for your loss Stuart.
I lost my Dad 23 years ago next month. I still miss him and think about him often
Scott O
Hi Stuart,
So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this about your dad because it’s those small things which are such great memories. Sending love to you and your family❤️
Aaron Bunton
So sorry for your loss. No words can truly comfort in times like this, but I hope the many memories you have of him help heal the sting in time.
WPenn
Sorry for your loss.
JG
I lost my Dad in December. And my Mom a few months prior.
Sounds like our fathers would have got along.
God speed.
fred
I know that words of consolation always ring hollow in the face of the loss on a loved one – but I’ll add my sorrow for your loss.
NN
Sorry for your loss, Stuart.
The hat collection is pretty cool. Keep it around and wear them with pride and rememberance.
Dustin
My condolences. Peace to you and your family
Chuck
My condolences, Stuart. Hoping you and your family comfort through this season.
Alexk
I’m only aware of one thing that your father did, and did well. That was raising one fine son. Your character and values is part of his legacy and something we here appreciate.
Sorry for your loss, Stuart.
Steve
Sorry for your loss Stuart, but pleased you have those nice memories of him and were able to bury him in a hat he would’ve approved of.
If he’s like my dad was another one of his jokes would’ve been to comment “that’s the dead centre of town” whenever he drove past the cemetery!
William
Prayers for you and your family.
Kentucky fan
Buried my dad with a pack of Marlboro reds and a Kentucky polo from Walmart because that’s what he would have wanted to be in the rest of his life. It’s the simple things that drive us. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us.
DRT42
Very sorry for your loss. I went through this about 5 years ago. Still think of my dad very frequently. I still have his favorite hat.
Mudman2k
I am a long time tradesman who appreciates your honesty, and I enjoy your site.
I am truly sorry for your loss, I’m sure your father was proud of you, as he should be.
Your reach, influence and honestly is the reason I check this site daily.
RIP.
Geewiz
Sorry for your loss too. When my dad passed we had bags of hats he had collected through the years. He wore them sometime when he was young but later in life when his top got thin he had to wear them every time he was outside. Many of my tools came from my dad and I continue to miss him every time I touch one. RIP
Jbongo
My condolences, Stuart. Thank you for sharing this story.
IronWood
Stuart, so sorry for your loss. We’re going through the end with my mom in hospice right now and it’s just all hard. So important to keep perspective on good things past and present, the things you can still laugh about. I love that your dad was so excited by a Harbor Freight hat from you, from a store he didn’t even visit! Sounds like my dad. I always get him a hat from wherever I’m working, he has hats from shipyards, railroads, and plants he’s never seen and they make his day. I think you have a great sendoff for him, and I wish the best for your family during a tough time. That goes for everyone else on here, too; good thoughts going out to anyone struggling right now.
Frank D.
My condolences.
That is a lovely story about your dad and swag.
Phil H.
The loss of any parent is very tough. The loss of my Dad 20 years ago was the toughest day of my life. He was my hero being a P-51 pilot in WW2, and I remember what he told me when I was young. He said “don’t stand over my grave and cry for me. I am the one who is gone, and I don’t feel anything at all. It’s all of you that have to go on living”. His way of saying to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and press on. Like others have said, Dads Craftsman tool collection is in my garage, and still being used. Stuart, you provide a great service for all of us, so “press on” and thank you. Condolences.
KeithInKC
So sorry for your loss. It sounds like you had a great relationship.
Jay
Sorry for your loss. I hated to read the above but enjoyed the story you gave us, warms us all a little. Thank you for sharing.
Dave
I have nothing to say that hasn’t been said, and no condolences from an Internet stranger can make things better. I’m not a religious person, but I said a little prayer for you, yours, and your dad – be well, or as well as you can be right now. A lot of random people you’ll never meet are grieving on your behalf, and I’m sure we all wish you and yours the best.
Bill
Stuart, thank you for sharing this story of your father and the loss you experienced in his passing. While we all go through the loss of loved ones, it is in the sharing of our loss and the memories and stories of their lives that help bring us together in times of grief.
I lost my father many years ago when he was only 59, but what I remember most is the life lessons he taught me, large and small. He is with me every day because of those treasured teachings.
God bless you and your family in your time of loss.
John
I’m sorry Stuart. Death is never easy.
Plain+Grainy
I’m sorry for your family’s loss! I’m glad that your kid(s) had a chance to know your father. My grandparents past away before I was born( left a void ). I differed from my father, he always wore hats and I never did. He would be 116 this year if still living, I treasure all the history he passed to me.