For all of your condolences on our loss. Steve expressed exactly what I feel, and did it better than I ever could, so I'll just repost what he said:
Thanks, everyone. In this case, there's sadness but no sudden, crippling sense of loss for me because my father was lost to us a little bit at a time, over a period of years, and we sort of grieved for him the same way -- a little at a time, as he became less and less the father we knew. His passing brings relief at the end of his suffering, and allows us to once again remember him with appreciation, which had become hard for everyone towards the end.
Tom and I are fortunate to be part of such a gracious online community as this, and I appreciate your kind words very much.
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