Celebrating Uncle Buck

 

There are few recent family events that I can recall that were as meaningful as the one I attended recently. My uncle Donald "Buck" Firestone, husband of my paternal aunt Margaret Gilbride, passed away in April. His daughters, my cousins Becky and Lisa, decided to have a celebration of life in May.

I had never been to a celebration of life. I don't think anyone in our family has ever had one. I had no idea what to expect. But it turned out to be a mini-family reunion of sorts, full of photos, reminiscences, and lots of reconnecting to those of our family who remain. 

I live in Texas, so the Hubs and I flew into Cleveland for a whirlwind two days with family. Though most of our family has remained in the Cleveland area, some of us are far-flung and it has been too many years since I've seen some of them. This was the chance to see folks, catch up, and share our memories.

Uncle Buck's celebration was held at the Forest Hall at Penitentiary Glen—one of the beautiful Cleveland MetroParks—in Kirtland, Ohio. There, we all visited in a large meeting room in their nature/visitor center. Uncle Buck loved the outdoors and feeding all the critters, particularly around the assisted living home where he lived in his later years. 

Upon entering, and after hugging my cousins, Jim and I had the chance to look through the photographs that Buck's daughters had assembled. I got to see many photos that included my grandparents, a great uncle, my Aunt Margaret, Uncle Buck, and all their family through the years. It was so wonderful to see all these dear ones again in photos I had never seen before. My brother started snapping the images on his cell phone and I quickly followed his lead.

My Aunt Marian found these photos of Aunt Margaret and Uncle Buck's wedding and gave them to their daughters, and they displayed them at the celebration.

 

Displaying photos at the celebration gave us all a chance to glimpse our long-gone family members. Here my great uncle Pete Gambino looks over Aunt Margaret's shoulder at her 50th birthday party. (Photo: Lisa Firestone)

 

"Share a memory" cards were available to complete and leave for my cousins. I had fun relating a story about my uncle from our wedding reception. There were small white paper hearts scattered on the tables which Becky told us were pressed with wildflower seeds for us to take and plant. Bird seed packets with a sticker reading, "When you feed the critters think of me," were available to take home. I hadn't really known that Uncle Buck was such a softie for the birds, squirrels, and other animals, but it was nice to see that it was an interest he and I unknowingly shared.

All were encouraged to feed the critters in memory of Uncle Buck with take-home bird seed packets.

 

After partaking of a great meal, we played three rounds of "Buck's Bingo," where each card featured various words or phrases meaningful to his life. Spaces for "1939" (the year he was born) and "Searights" (his Pennsylvania birthplace), were pretty obvious to all. Others, like "Hell's Angels" or "Reformed deer hunter," prompted shouts of "What's the story?" and my cousins would relate the story behind the phrases. Winners received a prize bag filled with Uncle Buck's favorite snacks and treats and Cleveland Browns or Pittsburgh Steelers trading cards (Uncle Buck was a Cleveland fan...unless the Steelers were playing!)

Wildflower seed-infused hearts were scattered on the tables.

 

In between all the activities there was time to visit with relatives, and I got a chance to talk to my siblings, Cousin Tom (of recent ChatGPT fame!), my Uncle Tom and Aunt Mary, and almost all of their sons who were there with their wives and children, and lots of other folk. Though the conversations were not more than 10-15 minutes each, I welcomed the all-too-brief glimpse into their lives. 

Large photo displays were a big part of the celebration. The tiny hearts on the table were infused with wildflower seeds for family to take and plant in honor of Uncle Buck.

 

And there is where the connection and the common ground was found. Up until then I didn't know that my cousin Jim had once Army-crawled on the floor out of his newborn's bedroom so as not to wake the baby, just like I did with our daughter. Or that my Aunt Mary had a "kolache secret" (I'll never tell!). Or that another cousin used to play fiddle. And so many more...

God Bless my Aunt Mary who had the presence of mind to suggest we take a cousins photo. I can't remember the last time we would have taken such a photo and only regret the rest of this set of cousins were not able to be a part of it.

First Cousins! Back row: Brothers Jim, Tom, John, and Tim Gilbride, my brother Tim Gilbride. Front row: Buck's daughters Rebecca and Lisa Firestone, me, my sister Samantha Gilbride, and Kevin Gilbride (brother to the first four in back row). (Photo: Jim Casey)

What a satisfying afternoon filled with just the right mix of memories, stories, and connection. I think my Uncle Buck would have approved. Fittingly, the celebration was held on my Aunt Margaret's birthday. Perfect.

Until next time... 

© Nancy Gilbride Casey, 2025. All rights reserved. 

 

IMAGES: All photos by author unless otherwise noted.