Dad...Today you passed with a peaceful goodbye…While the years have passed like the hurricane winds in September, memories continue to thrive and grow.   You were a pillar of strength to a growing family.   From the quiet days in a small town to the bright lights of the NFL stage, your strength was always present.   The molding of a family to always stay together, be strong and support each other through everything.  It started on Saturdays in the fall on the high school football fields.  You coached your first games in a NY town.   The success and hard work led to Saturdays at the collegiate level.  Moving a family to face the unknown, the strength and bravery to follow your dreams led us to Pennsylvania then to NJ.    Growing your dreams and supporting the family continuing to push the strength to stay together.   These college Saturdays would bring gatherings of friends and family for rivalry games, tailgates and fond memories that will last a lifetime.   You always made time for the entire family to go for Sunday dinners at Grammy and Pappy’s.   Soon, your ultimate dream came to you, and it was time to make another decision.   Lead your family to the next level.   The NFL came calling and those Sunday dinners turned into game days.   The family was now off to Michigan for your first season.  Following your dreams and achieving what you most wanted.  A family watch as your hard work led you to the ultimate stage.  Through the years there were tough times, heart aches and sadness.   As with anything, time heals and allows reflection and growth.  As you are now at peace and no longer in pain, we can all rejoice on the strong family unit that you helped create to get us through any tough times that lie ahead.  We will continue to lean on each other for support in these times of need and sorrow.  The strength that you built inside of us all will shine through in the days and years to come.      Love your son, Mark