The Slice: A truly memorable memorial

The memorial service hadn’t started.

People from different parts of Victor Speziale’s life were still introducing themselves to one another.

But the deceased’s longtime doctor went ahead and took a seat at the English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls. He predicted that he would shed a few tears.

“He was an incredible guy,” said the physician. “Had the body of a 100-year-old man but he never complained.”

Speziale, a mechanic who lived in Cheney, died earlier this month at the age of 61. He is survived by his wife, Angie, several children and foster children and many others who remember a life well lived.

Memorial services don’t always capture the essence of the departed. But Thursday morning, more than once, attendees dabbing at wet eyes had occasion to burst out with laughter as speakers told stories about a special husband, father, brother and friend.

A son recalled Speziale’s solution when the fake-wood paneling started to peel off the family’s old station wagon. His dad just pulled it off altogether, leaving the paneling in place on the other side of the car. His reasoning? “You can only see one side of the car at a time.”

And that son told of the procession of admirers he has encountered over the years who made sure they had his attention and then, yearning to acknowledge some significant kindness or act of generosity, started stories with “Your dad …”

A veteran who was born in Iowa, he loved cars, trains, planes, dogs, fishing, telling stories and being someone everyone could depend on.

“I love you, Daddy,” said a sniffling adult daughter who had started by reading a testimonial to her father that she had written when she was little. “You really are the world’s greatest dad. I’ll see you later, alligator.”

Her uncle characterized Speziale as an uplifting big brother. His voice cracking, he said “I tried to be like him, to make him proud.”

Speziale’s doctor, who had called me and said “This is the kind of person who ought to be recognized,” had glistening eyes, just as he predicted.

He was not alone.

Today’s Slice question: If you had a dollar for every time you have crossed the Washington/Idaho border, how much money would you have?