My Father's Eulogy

Thanks to everyone who came out this afternoon and this evening to visit my father and my family. As hard of a time as this is, your support is what keeps my family strong.

As your friend Teddy Roosevelt once said,

“Believe you can and you’re half way there.”

Dad, you unintentionally lived by his words as if they were your own. You have believed in your family for over twenty-two years, from bankruptcy and petty arguments to the pursuit of dreams and goals, and everything in between.

You would climb a mountain for the people you loved with the same enthusiasm and pride that you were known for, no matter how high that mountain may be. As a father, you always wanted your little chickadees to be happy, and you spoiled us and ran around the house like a five year old until the outcome satisfied your expectations. Whether you know it or not, you exceeded those expectations on a regular basis. Even the little things made every second with you an unforgettable experience, like playing along when I pretended to be asleep or hiding behind doors when I would bother you so much that you would have to chase me around the house or even, simply, driving me to and from various rinks, talking hockey and singing to the craziest songs the whole way there. As unfortunate as it is that I don’t remember every crazy adventure we embarked on together, I am appreciative that those daily car-ride extravaganzas brought us closer and closer together, you believing in me every step of the way. Without your love, enthusiasm, pride, and devotion, I never would have fallen in love with the sport that has forever changed my life. Everyone keeps telling me about how proud you were of me, and how you projected that pride onto everyone you met, but I was blinded by your dedication to molding me into the young lady and devoted athlete I am today. Daddy, without you cheering me on, it feels almost impossible to keep doing what I’m doing. Just like Teddy said, you believed in me enough to stand by my side as we clawed our way through the ups and downs, and now my belief in your intentions will give me the ‘umph’ and the guidance that will lead me to the goal that you and I have always dreamed of.

Today, the people whose lives you have impacted with your strength, your humor, and your big, and I mean BIG, heart have all come together to show you how much you mean to them, and how much simply smiling at everything imaginable can change anyone’s life.

I love you, Daddy. And even though I am left to fight this battle alone, I know I will persevere, just like you have done every day for the past fifty-eight years. I see you, now, in everything I do, and I know that this battle will be easier with you holding my hand, every step of the way.

Rest In Peace, and May your family, your friends, and your love for all things beautiful and strong, guide you to a better place, where I know you are happy.

Daniel Edward Francis Goin

October 14, 1951 – January 15, 2010

Rest In Peace. You will live on in our hearts.