Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

The Passage

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Someone at my side finally says, "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?" I ask.

Then I realize - she is gone only from my sight. That is all.

She is just as large In mast and hull and sail as when she left my side. She is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone beside me says, "There, she is gone!"... there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices to take up the glad shout, "Look, here she comes!"

And that is dying.

- Henry Van Dyke

It's with a joyous heart that I report the passing of my step-father, James Edward Dolan, our 'Poppa JD.'
He departed from this world yesterday, 8/13/2014, 6:55 PM.

He was a consummate sportsman, who loved to shoot, fish and ride horses. There was no adventure he was not up for. He taught me a lot and raised me as his own, after my biological father had passed during my youth. In most ways, he was the only father I had ever known.

And while none here knew him, he was one of us. He was a lifetime member if the North American Fishing Club and I have fond memories of our angling exploits. He was also a Marine Corp Golden Gloves champ, a truck driver, machinist, leader and irascible grouch, at times.
Hey, no one is perfect.

I will miss him dearly, but my wife and I were fortunate to sit beside him at his last breath. He went peacefully and with chin up; he said he was sorry to put us through it. That was him - thinking of others to the end.

Until we meet again on the far shore, Poppa JD, God speed and rest.
I loved you, as did so many.

Views: 325

Comment

You need to be a member of Bluegill - Big Bluegill to add comments!

Join Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Comment by Jeffrey D. Abney on August 14, 2014 at 5:40pm

Sorry for your loss David.....may all the great memories of this great man help get you and your family through this rough time! ........I'm thankful for Poppa JD's service to his country and others!

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 14, 2014 at 5:05pm
Tooty, my guess is it's the age they came from.
Men like that are getting fewer in number, and no one seems inclined to be like them anymore.
We can be grateful we had them.

Semper Fi, Marine, and thank you.
Comment by DAVID L EITUTIS on August 14, 2014 at 4:54pm

Scruffy sorry for your loss buddy....... I think back to not long ago when I lost my dad and he had a legacy similar to your dad's .

"SEMPER FI " TO THE OLD MAN .......

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 14, 2014 at 4:20pm
John, I knew my BBG friends could appreciate this moment.
I think you all for your support.
Comment by John Sheehan on August 14, 2014 at 4:14pm

Touching tribute David .My condolences friend , for your loss!

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 14, 2014 at 4:00pm
Your welcome, Keith. Honor him always, my friend.
Comment by Keith Ritter on August 14, 2014 at 3:56pm
I cry as I read this, I remember my father, thank you and and yours.
Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 14, 2014 at 3:26pm
Thank you, Mark. That means a lot.
Comment by Mark Stine on August 14, 2014 at 3:21pm

Sorry to hear of your loss David.  He sounds like he was  quite a character and will leave a big hole in your life. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on August 14, 2014 at 3:17pm
He will indeed live on in memory. His earthly remains have been gifted to the University Od South Carolina Medical School for studies.... Being useful to the end, it was his idea. There will be my grave to visit.
But, like you, I won't forget his birthday either.
Perhaps, one day we can all fish together.
Happy birthday to your dad and thank you.

Latest Activity

Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Yeah most nests are not this close to the water and this river is remote with alligators and large…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"Guess the Osprey knew it was a great spot too. The Cormorants up here are murder on the stocked…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nesting Pair of Ospreys......

"This was a great fishing spot for me until the osprey nested……I’ve seen chicks…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

So many spots to place your bait...

"These cypress trees are now in the water….still producing great fishing…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

The big Cypress downed by a Hurricane.....

"This is a good example John…..I posted this picture in 2012 and a couple weeks ago I caught…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Thanks John…..being in the south we’re always drawn to cypress trees and the…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Nice info, Jeffrey! Up here my main Crappie habits have been wood cover near deep water and willow…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

My Dad Doesn't know Where to Cast Next.......

"This is my dad who loved fishing…..this cove is similar to the one with all cattails but in…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"I think all fresh water fish like to relate to cattails…..the most cattails I’ve ever…"
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Up here the Pickerel can be found by Cattails and other tall reed areas. The first spawning…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

This is always a great spot with cypress, cattails and now a blooming hibiscus..next time I’m there…
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Thanks John…anytime you get close to them there’s hundreds of different insects…"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Joe Struck Copper on a Sand Bar….7/5/2025

The wind was building on the main river so we splashed back to the ramp after 42 gills, 1 bullhead…
Saturday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Good work on finding fish habitat!"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Pretty Masked Copper Shallow ……7/5/2025

Preparing for next week’s buck moon on 7/10……
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Up early this morning, heard we were going to have a tropical storm in the Carolina’s…so Joe and I went and burned some crickets…"
Saturday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service