Calvin's Phone
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Filed in: People
Calvin Shimamoto died today following double bypass
surgery. Calvin was a good heart with a bad heart. He
will be missed by many.
I've known Calvin and his family longer than I've known my wife and her family. We first met back iin the 1970s. He was a good man who cared about people and was always willing to help others in need. His gift was knowing who to help and what they needed.
Calvin had a mild heart attack many years ago which resulted in successful bypass surgery. He changed his diet and began eating better, but never changed how he dealt with people, especially those in need, and those in need of a fatherly influence.
Last week, Calvin had another heart attack. Tests revealed artery blockage again and bypass surgery was performed today. Apparently Calvin made it through the surgery and was doing fine. Then, without warning, his heart stopped and could not be revived. His was a heart that many know and will miss.
My wife called me with the news this afternoon. As I drove her home, we talked about Calvin, his family, his life, his way of dealing with people. He sold appliances at Sears for many years.
Everyone knew Calvin. He retired just a year or so ago. He and his wife traveled here and there.
After we got home today, my wife called Calvin's wife on the phone to offer condolences. Though it shouldn't have come as a surprise, no one answered the phone, but Calvin's voice came on the answering machine.
"Hi, this is Calvin. I can't come to the phone right now. But if you leave a message, I'll call you back." Or, something like that. I don't remember Calvin's exact words because we were laughing and crying at the same time.
Somehow, Calvin's voice still on his answering machine after he died is still just like Calvin. Always there with a word or two.
Of course you can't come to the phone, Calvin. And I don't really expect you to call me back. But it was good to hear your voice. I know you'd have a good laugh about the answering machine, too.
I've known Calvin and his family longer than I've known my wife and her family. We first met back iin the 1970s. He was a good man who cared about people and was always willing to help others in need. His gift was knowing who to help and what they needed.
Calvin had a mild heart attack many years ago which resulted in successful bypass surgery. He changed his diet and began eating better, but never changed how he dealt with people, especially those in need, and those in need of a fatherly influence.
Last week, Calvin had another heart attack. Tests revealed artery blockage again and bypass surgery was performed today. Apparently Calvin made it through the surgery and was doing fine. Then, without warning, his heart stopped and could not be revived. His was a heart that many know and will miss.
My wife called me with the news this afternoon. As I drove her home, we talked about Calvin, his family, his life, his way of dealing with people. He sold appliances at Sears for many years.
Everyone knew Calvin. He retired just a year or so ago. He and his wife traveled here and there.
After we got home today, my wife called Calvin's wife on the phone to offer condolences. Though it shouldn't have come as a surprise, no one answered the phone, but Calvin's voice came on the answering machine.
"Hi, this is Calvin. I can't come to the phone right now. But if you leave a message, I'll call you back." Or, something like that. I don't remember Calvin's exact words because we were laughing and crying at the same time.
Somehow, Calvin's voice still on his answering machine after he died is still just like Calvin. Always there with a word or two.
Of course you can't come to the phone, Calvin. And I don't really expect you to call me back. But it was good to hear your voice. I know you'd have a good laugh about the answering machine, too.
