As I sat down last night, I could not help but think of the great things that made up my Papa. I think of his compassion, enthusiasm, generosity, joy, kindness, and most importantly his beautiful character. He dedicated his life to Kehoe-France; his students; LSU; his friends; Molly, Patrick, and I; and most importantly my incredible mom.
Papa took so much pride in what Kehoe-France has become. And since Kehoe-France started as a camp, I will start with memories of camp. He loved hosting pow-wows and was a devout Chippewas. Poor old Pawnees! Hey, one more time: Camper of the WEEEEEEK! For all of his swimming staff: Bring em up! But Coach theres lighting like three miles away! BRING EM UP! There will be a void in the spirit of Kehoe-France Camp without Papa.
Papa was a basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, and chess club coach. Its hard to say which of these he loved the most because he put so much love into each one of them.
Papa truly had a passion for teaching. My mom always says there are many people who teach but Papa had a unique and undeniable gift for working with children. Not everyone is blessed with this gift.
He was endowed with the ability to see the good and beauty in every single child, person, teenager, student, what-have-you. We always say Papa could see every child for what they could and were going to become; he did not judge anyone for their mistakes of the past and present, but only encouraged and motivated them to move on.
He is remembered for his many famous sayings such as Think outside the box! You cant be LIKE anythingyou either are or you arent Hey papa, Im ganna like try to like stop saying like so much just for you. Its a FREAKING REVELATION! The worlds smallest violin and his awkward disciplinary styles: Stop playing grabby-goo or you are ganna have to hold hands and stare deeply into each others eyes! There will never be another man that gave as much of himself to his students as my Papa.
And obviously, there was love for his fellow teachers and staff at school. He always thought of them as not only his co-workers but part of his extended family. He was there for them 100 percent of the time. Whether they needed a desk moved into their classroom, someone to come and sub for a quick moment, or a simple box of pencils, I dont think Papa understood the phrase: No I cant, Im busy."
Another wonderful quality of Papa was he never met a stranger. He never knew anyone for ten minutes without knowing their story. He was so easy for anyone to talk to and as soon as you walk in the room, you felt a sense of belonging. His sense of friendship was one of caring and loyalty to all. He was a true friend for life.
While my father was a teacher, coach, co-worker, and mentor, he was first and foremost our Papa. Molly, Patrick, and I saw all of these wonderful qualities each and every day. While he was hard on us and expected so much out of us, he always knew which direction to steer us in and all of the right words to say. He did everything he could to make sure that we lived out our dreams.
Molly and Papa shared a special bond: politics. Just the other day he told my mama that Molly was living the life he always dreamed: College in D.C., a job on Capital Hill, a presidential election, all the while a national economic crisis is going on. my mom responded: Kev, live your dream through her.
Molly, one of my fondest memories of Papa, you, and me is the day we were interviewed by channel six while we were at the golf tournament. Of course, you and Papa, who played golf, were actually interested in what was going on. When the camera turned to me I informed the entire metropolitan city of new Orleans that Emily France, daughter of Kevin France, was playing hookey from school! And that was the best part of being there. Hey molls, youre still watching golf, and Im still playing hookey.
Patrick was the pride and joy of Papas heart. They shared the special interest and knowledge in every sport and athletic event you could think of. Papa taught Buddy everything that he knew about basketball. And all of yalls hard work and practice every day in the gym after school has paid off. Patrick, youve made Papa so proud. Hey buddy, dont worry, Ill always be there to remind you to keep that elbow in. Even when youre an NBA All-Star.
The love between Papa and I is also rooted deeply in sports. I chose the 2 sports that you chose in high school, swimming and tennis. Swimming: your passion, my passion. Im a breaststroker and sprinter just like you. I have my state cut and you know that. And even though you wont physically be there, right before the whistle blows, I know youll be the angel on my shoulder reminding me to kick hard, swim fast, and leave it all in the pool.
My papa and mama have been married for 25 beautiful years. When he was running late and his phone rang, hed say up its your mother before even checking the screen. That was followed by the usual: here, here, you answer it, then the YES DEAR ?!?!?! This type of love ca n only be summed up in a few words: they are best friends and forever will be soul companions for eternity. Thank you for showing us how to truly love one another.
My mother could never figure out why my dad was so obsessive over the dishwasher being stacked a certain way. Then, one Christmas dinner, Uncle kie started stacking the dishwasher. He was being obsessive too. Then we discovered that the other two, Kelly and Kyle, also have this obsessive compulsive method of stacking the dishwasher.
Plates: right to left. Bowls: left to right. Forks together, spoons together, Gumps did they get that from you? Cause I mean this isnt the army. Papa, last night everyone just threw in all the dishes. Mama and I couldnt help ourselves. We went back and fixed it. Dont worry, itll always be done Papas way.
And some of our greatest family memories have been in Death Valley, sharing Papas passion for the Tigers. Papa said last year that he never thought hed ever get to see LSU win a National Championship. Hey pop, you saw two! And right now the Tigers are 4-0. I know youll be watching over your boys, you have the best seat in the stadium. See you there. Geaux Tigers!
Your Papa was a great man. While I was at Kehoe-France he truly touched my life. I will always remember him and am so sorry for your loss,
gregfoxjr 3 years ago
Emily, Thanks very much for posting this. It's beautiful & a wonderful gift for those of us who could not attend the services.
A very old friend of your father's,
RRaphael
rraphael531 3 years ago
As I sat down last night, I could not help but think of the great things that made up my Papa. I think of his compassion, enthusiasm, generosity, joy, kindness, and most importantly his beautiful character. He dedicated his life to Kehoe-France; his students; LSU; his friends; Molly, Patrick, and I; and most importantly my incredible mom.
mle111191 3 years ago
Papa took so much pride in what Kehoe-France has become. And since Kehoe-France started as a camp, I will start with memories of camp. He loved hosting pow-wows and was a devout Chippewas. Poor old Pawnees! Hey, one more time: Camper of the WEEEEEEK! For all of his swimming staff: Bring em up! But Coach theres lighting like three miles away! BRING EM UP! There will be a void in the spirit of Kehoe-France Camp without Papa.
mle111191 3 years ago
Papa was a basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, and chess club coach. Its hard to say which of these he loved the most because he put so much love into each one of them.
mle111191 3 years ago
Papa truly had a passion for teaching. My mom always says there are many people who teach but Papa had a unique and undeniable gift for working with children. Not everyone is blessed with this gift.
mle111191 3 years ago
He was endowed with the ability to see the good and beauty in every single child, person, teenager, student, what-have-you. We always say Papa could see every child for what they could and were going to become; he did not judge anyone for their mistakes of the past and present, but only encouraged and motivated them to move on.
mle111191 3 years ago
He is remembered for his many famous sayings such as Think outside the box! You cant be LIKE anythingyou either are or you arent Hey papa, Im ganna like try to like stop saying like so much just for you. Its a FREAKING REVELATION! The worlds smallest violin and his awkward disciplinary styles: Stop playing grabby-goo or you are ganna have to hold hands and stare deeply into each others eyes! There will never be another man that gave as much of himself to his students as my Papa.
mle111191 3 years ago
And obviously, there was love for his fellow teachers and staff at school. He always thought of them as not only his co-workers but part of his extended family. He was there for them 100 percent of the time. Whether they needed a desk moved into their classroom, someone to come and sub for a quick moment, or a simple box of pencils, I dont think Papa understood the phrase: No I cant, Im busy."
mle111191 3 years ago
Another wonderful quality of Papa was he never met a stranger. He never knew anyone for ten minutes without knowing their story. He was so easy for anyone to talk to and as soon as you walk in the room, you felt a sense of belonging. His sense of friendship was one of caring and loyalty to all. He was a true friend for life.
mle111191 3 years ago
While my father was a teacher, coach, co-worker, and mentor, he was first and foremost our Papa. Molly, Patrick, and I saw all of these wonderful qualities each and every day. While he was hard on us and expected so much out of us, he always knew which direction to steer us in and all of the right words to say. He did everything he could to make sure that we lived out our dreams.
mle111191 3 years ago
Molly and Papa shared a special bond: politics. Just the other day he told my mama that Molly was living the life he always dreamed: College in D.C., a job on Capital Hill, a presidential election, all the while a national economic crisis is going on. my mom responded: Kev, live your dream through her.
mle111191 3 years ago
Molly, one of my fondest memories of Papa, you, and me is the day we were interviewed by channel six while we were at the golf tournament. Of course, you and Papa, who played golf, were actually interested in what was going on. When the camera turned to me I informed the entire metropolitan city of new Orleans that Emily France, daughter of Kevin France, was playing hookey from school! And that was the best part of being there. Hey molls, youre still watching golf, and Im still playing hookey.
mle111191 3 years ago
Patrick was the pride and joy of Papas heart. They shared the special interest and knowledge in every sport and athletic event you could think of. Papa taught Buddy everything that he knew about basketball. And all of yalls hard work and practice every day in the gym after school has paid off. Patrick, youve made Papa so proud. Hey buddy, dont worry, Ill always be there to remind you to keep that elbow in. Even when youre an NBA All-Star.
mle111191 3 years ago
The love between Papa and I is also rooted deeply in sports. I chose the 2 sports that you chose in high school, swimming and tennis. Swimming: your passion, my passion. Im a breaststroker and sprinter just like you. I have my state cut and you know that. And even though you wont physically be there, right before the whistle blows, I know youll be the angel on my shoulder reminding me to kick hard, swim fast, and leave it all in the pool.
mle111191 3 years ago
I am so proud, honored, and lucky to be able to say that youre my dad.
mle111191 3 years ago
My papa and mama have been married for 25 beautiful years. When he was running late and his phone rang, hed say up its your mother before even checking the screen. That was followed by the usual: here, here, you answer it, then the YES DEAR ?!?!?! This type of love ca n only be summed up in a few words: they are best friends and forever will be soul companions for eternity. Thank you for showing us how to truly love one another.
mle111191 3 years ago
My mother could never figure out why my dad was so obsessive over the dishwasher being stacked a certain way. Then, one Christmas dinner, Uncle kie started stacking the dishwasher. He was being obsessive too. Then we discovered that the other two, Kelly and Kyle, also have this obsessive compulsive method of stacking the dishwasher.
mle111191 3 years ago
Plates: right to left. Bowls: left to right. Forks together, spoons together, Gumps did they get that from you? Cause I mean this isnt the army. Papa, last night everyone just threw in all the dishes. Mama and I couldnt help ourselves. We went back and fixed it. Dont worry, itll always be done Papas way.
mle111191 3 years ago
And some of our greatest family memories have been in Death Valley, sharing Papas passion for the Tigers. Papa said last year that he never thought hed ever get to see LSU win a National Championship. Hey pop, you saw two! And right now the Tigers are 4-0. I know youll be watching over your boys, you have the best seat in the stadium. See you there. Geaux Tigers!
We love you, Papa.
I love you.
mle111191 3 years ago