Donald Biddick

Uncle Don was the most gentle, laid back and fun-loving person. My parents and Uncle Don and Aunt Dorothy were close and did a lot of things together, so they were a close part of our extended family. I remember the lively games of Uno and “marbles” (Chinese checkers) that were brought out and played. Though both farmed, my dad raised Hereford cattle for their beef, and we had just one Holstein, and then later one Jersey to provide our milk, and good milk it was. They competed on a lot of things, but not on the cattle. Uncle Don raised dairy cattle of the Guernsey variety. And though any of your own farm milk beats store bought by a mile, Guernsey milk is the closest thing to heaven! Aunt Dorothy would say, “Let’s have some lunch!” and then bring out dishes of Guernsey milk topped with fresh raspberries. This milk was rich and tasted like sweet cream! Later on they were playing much like “Keeping up with the Joneses[ because if Uncle Don bought something, Dad would probably buy it too if he could figure out a way to finagle it. There were the pool tables in the basements. Ours was particle board and had a ping pong net that could attach, and did not have automatic ball returns. But Uncle Don had a separate table tennis, and then the pool table, oh it was nice! All slate with the ball returns! It was grand to play some pool over there when they got their house in town there in Nashua. Since they got a house in town, Dad was determined to get a house in town as well and sell the farm as well and got a house in Charles City. And on it went. Who had the better storm windows? More fruit trees in their backyard? Dad and Uncle Don were probably more like brothers than Dad was with his own brothers the way they competed and would carry on and laugh together. Those are all good days to hang onto and remember. I wish to extend my love and prayers to John and Carol and to Dave and Marilyn, as well as Eric, Brian, Keri, Shawn, Sara, and Amanda and their families during this sad time. But he lived a long rich life doing much of what he enjoyed. “Don’t be sad it’s over, be thankful it happened.” To Donald Moore Biddick, you were one of a kind, and hold a special place always in my heart. I won’t ever play a Draw Four on you again, but the memories will live on. With warm love and regards, Chris (McElroy) Mackiewicz, Colorado Springs, CO

Thanks so much for sharing your memories. They mean a lot.