Juan Francisco Doval

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Fernando E. Doval on April 3, 2006:

Dear Papi: I thought there was no greater pain than losing a son. How wrong I was! Today I suffer the emptiness that your physical absence creates in my Heart. Papi, it hurts so much! It hurts so much: that I no longer receive your morning and evening calls to inquire how I am doing; that I can not call you to ask what you are doing or ask you one of those difficult questions that only you could answer (when they were legal questions you explained the legal doctrine and then you would even tell me the book and page where I could find more information); that we can no longer share physically the dream that you inspired and that thanks to your example of a hard-working professional I am about to accomplish in such a way that I am certain would make you very proud. But above all, it hurts to know that I can not lay next to you to watch TV, talk or just hug you and tell you "Dad, I love you very much". However, being the great father you were, you left me a priceless treasure, your example: of what a good, decent and honorable man should be; of a man that always had a hug and forgiveness for everyone, even those that did not appreciate the trust you gave them; and of your commitment with yourself to always act with rectitude, despite the consequences; your example of an ethic, humble, wise, and giving man; your example of what a great attorney should be (you were among the very best); your example as a good son, of what an abnegated father is, of an understanding husband and a loving granddad; your example of a catholic man and your example of what a true friend really is. You lived your life humbly and always willing to help without letting it be known. How many times I have been told "Your father helped in this or that matter in my life"? or "Your father paid for my studies". And nobody knew about it, only whom you helped and yourself; that is the mark of a real man of God. I will also always remember how proud you were of being a West Point graduate (although you were sleeping you even passed away like if you were standing at attention and with your 2005 Register of Graduates and Former Cadets next to you!). I will never forget the West Point anecdotes that you enjoyed so much telling us about again and again, or when you used to tell me when growing up "speak louder!" or "stand erect!"? And, I will always thank you for the trust you deposited in me, for your firmness and rectitude in my upbringing, for they made me the man that I am today. God gave me the privilege of being your son, of getting to know you, of having you as my teacher in life; how proud I am of carrying your last name and being the son of Quique Doval! If some day my children feel as I do, "I want to be as my father", I will know I have succeeded at being as good as father, as a good a son and as a good a man as you have been. Despite the pain and suffering your parting away causes in my heart I thank God for having called you next to Him because I know that now is your time to rest and that you are in peace next to Grandma and Grandpa, and because I know you are playing with Marquitos up in Heaven. Fernan

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