Hello everyone. I’m Victoria. I’m Tony Verdan’s youngest daughter. Although today is going to be a very hard day, I want to take this time to remember and honor the special memories I had with my dad.
My Dad was friendly to everyone he met. He could walk into a room where he didn’t know a person there, but he’d smile, warmly welcome and greet others, and had a charm in making others feel at home with him. His warmth and kindness are traits I wish to emulate, they’re some of things I loved most about my Dad.
When I was growing up, even though I was already in my 20’s working as a nurse, my Dad would still wait for me to get off night shift and drive me home. He would do that out of concern for me, to see me safely home. When I had my nursing exam in Richmond, he drove me all the way to Richmond and stayed with me despite it being a two-day test. My Dad went to church with my Mom and was literally there for the entire 3-hours of my exam.
When my Dad taught me how to drive, I know he was somewhat scared, but he didn’t show it. He taught me on the hardest street in DC, which was 16th Street. He thought it would be the best way for me to learn, so that I would be a better driver.
My Dad could be such a pushover. My Mom was the disciplinarian, so we went to my Dad to be saved. He was always so kind to us, slow to punish, and quick to spoil us.
Papa — you lived your life with devotion to family, appreciation for life, welcoming to everyone you met, and showed kindness to anyone who needed your help.
We will celebrate your life by living our lives to reflect how you lived yours; always smiling, kindhearted, welcoming to everyone we meet, with devotion and love to our family and friends.
So sorry Victoria and Ken. May your memories comfort you.