As seen in Buffalo News today – If You Don’t Have Subscription, Please read story about Dad’s move below.

‘Twas the last night in my dad’s house in Boca Raton, Florida.

Dad decided to move to the other “B” city also known to his friends as, BRRRR 🥶-it was time to Shuffle Off to Buffalo

Buffalo?

I can just see Mom saying from above, “What! You’re going to Buffalo?!” Similar to her reaction when I told her in 1979 that I was moving here. Yes, most people Shuffle off to Florida in their senior years, but hopefully the warmth of family will outweigh the winter weather.

Dad is 95, and this decision to move didn’t come easily, but it came fast. One evening, I was off to a movie with a friend, and I got a call from my dad. “I’m moving to Buffalo.”

I almost had a similar reaction as my mom— incredulous! We have been campaigning for this move for years. And just when I think Dad’s never going to do it —I get the call.

Boca West

The house in the Boca West community was sold before we hired the Realtor. We found David Hall, a concierge clutter cleaner, famous Guinness whistler, new friend, and all-around great guy to assist with EVERYTHING! Plug for David – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My brother Keith and I handled most of the other coordination; we made a great team – each of us has different skills – so aside me annoying him and him hanging up on me once, we got along and did everything to make the move as smooth as possible.

My sister-in-law Cathy was a great help. And Mitch was invaluable to Dad and me.

OK, I will spare you the boring details I will give about all the paperwork, sorting, purging, packing, donating, selling, tossing, boxing, cleaning, oh, did I say paperwork, post office, banking, legal s#$t, prescriptions, medical, paperwork, storage, exhaustion, and decisions— just to name a few.

Was This Planned?

Mom and Dad moved to Boca West about a minute after I graduated from the University of Miami and left the state. Not sure if that was planned… Their friends from Long Island also settled at the same location, continuing their lives and friendships. We are talking about friends for 60 plus years!

Before my dad retired, my parents would fly to Florida every other weekend. Mom, like me, hated flying but eventually got used to it – OH, it was so different then! Can you imagine doing it now — it would be faster to drive every other weekend! Anyway, Dad told me a story about a particular trip when a heavy snowstorm hit LaGuardia. Mom didn’t want to get on the plane. Dad replied, “Do you think I am going to drive home in this crazy weather?” and so they went.

Goodbye

How do you say goodbye after all these years? Dad’s friends, a few in their 100s are savvy with technology, FaceTime, online bridge, texting, and email, so it is not a true goodbye. But the in-person lunches, celebrations, hugs, and sharing life’s ups and downs will now be from afar.

“Goodbye car” – Dad was driving for 72 years and chose to stop because of vision problems. We went to CarMax to sell his really cool, low-to-the-ground, sleek Camaro. When Dad got out of his car for the last time, he said to the Camaro, “Thank you for always getting me home safely — no accidents!” Fortunately, Dad did not report that the car replied!

I didn’t take a farewell photo as we signed the papers and left the car for some other much younger person to fold into its low driver’s seat.

Dad’s house was gorgeous — still looking modern after all these years, but for me the house brought memories of my Mom. Boca felt like our second home: we went there every year.

Shuffle Off to Buffalo

Have you ever been to Boca West – if so you will know what I mean – the pools, the spa, the locker rooms, the restaurants, the personal attention, golf, pickleball, tennis, mahjong and every amenity – Oh My! Dad asked me the other day if i had a laundry service. I chuckled to myself and replied, “Yes, it’s me, and it’s free of charge!”

The boxes were packed and the closing complete. Even Dad’s giraffe had something to say about the move!

‘Twas the last night in Boca, and we slept soundly, knowing we were all starting a new chapter in Buffalo as a family.

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