Happy Birthday Erin

April Fools

by Erin

First of all I want to say I love you. I love you so much. I truly believe I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have you as a father. You are and always have been there for me no matter what, and I know you always will be. I’ve made some good choices in my life and I’ve made some bad as many other people have I’m sure. But for those bad choices, not everyone has that one person who will always stand by their side till the end. You are that one person for me. Whether you think I’m right or wrong, you support me without question. Thank you for that.

On April 1st 2000, I decided to play a good, but extreme, April’s Fools joke on you. I called you that day and in a somber voice I told you that I had something serious to tell you and that I hope you were not going to be upset. “I’m pregnant”, I said. You paused just for a brief second and said to me “Babe, I’m not upset. Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine. Everything is going to work out and be ok”. You weren’t extremely excited about it, but you were happy. And then I had to say “April Fools”….but it wasn’t as funny as I thought it would be. You then said something like, Oh you got me, or something like that and then the conversation ended….. The April’s Fool joke though didn’t end that day. 7 months and 19 days after that “Aprils Fools” joke, you found yourself pacing the hallways of Memorial Hospital nervously. You snuck in the locked doors that kept you from me behind nurses making their rounds. And you got kicked out every time. That didn’t stop you though. You always found a way to get to my room to make sure I was ok. At 2:00pm (exactly) November 20, 2000, you became the proudest Grandpa alive. Jack Thomas Blackman was here, and he was already your best friend.

Turns out the “Joke” was on me. I had no idea on that past April Fools day that I was actually pregnant. I didn’t even find out I was pregnant until a few weeks past that day. But just as you said, everything worked out just fine and we were all ok.

Thank you for all the help and support with Jack you’ve given to me. I couldn’t do it without you. It makes me so happy that you two are so close. Not very many children get to grow up spending almost every day with their grandparents. Jack does. Whether it’s taking or picking him up from school, playing woofle ball in the front yard, or just running your daily errands with you, he enjoys every minute with you. Thank you for helping me make my boy a better person. We are both blessed to have you in our lives. I love you dad.

Happy Birthday Uncle Tim

by Claire

Happy BirthdayUncle Tim. Thank you for being the greatest Godfather and Uncle, and for babysitting us all the times we needed you to. Claire, Emily & Timmy.

Letter From Grandfather Tim Moran

transcribed by Rody

This letter was written by Grandpa Tim Moran to Peter Moran in 1965 at Peter's request for a family history. What follows is Rosanne's transcription of a photocopy of the original handwritten document.

August 18th, 1965

To My Dear Grandson Peter

Well, I shall begin with my own Parents first.

My grandmother Ann married William Moran and she had a sister who married a man named Fahy and I take it for granted these two ladies maiden names was Coffee. Now my Father William married Ann Mulkinin 1884. Well my Father was the son of the above who had Bros & 4 sisters, one died young, his oldest Bro John married a girl and they had 3 boys and one girl, the boys were William, Timothy, Richard and the Annie the next two bros never married, one was in the army for close on 27 yrs and was invalidded out owing to bad health and died shortly after, he was Richard, he was in the York C Lane Regt. Tim never married and died 1891 and then there was my Father and I was the first child born in 1885. I had 5 bros John who was killed 57 yrs ago this day in the Pit and was never found. Then Richard who married Lizzie Molling in 1913, both now dead, they had one girl Lizzie who is in Cumberland, married to a man named Ly Small. My bro married again Mary Jane Finney, they had 2 sons, Richard and William and 6 daughters, one died young; they all married boys from around Wigan; Agnes married Ted Moore. Mary married McLaughlin. Theresa married a boy from Upholland, Ashcroft. Margaret married a boy named Ashall and Norah is still not married.

Two of my bros died in childhood William, William Henry. Now my bro Tom married C. Jordan, sister to my wife Ann and they had two children, Frank and Winnie and she died in Feb 1926, he married again Julie Moore, they had 3 boys and 2 girls. I think you know their names. Now my Father’s sister, Mary, married a man named M Elgann, she died when I was going to school and left one by named Meisten and he died when he was 17 yrs old. Now Lizzie my Father’s sister married a man named Michael Moran, they had 4 daughters, Annie married Farrell, and the others never married; 3 of them dead and only, Katie alive. Now, my Father’s other sister married P Mahoney and lived for close on 85 yrs; they had son Paddy who died in 1950 and his sister Alice married a man named Gregory. She died about 3 yrs ago. The other two sisters Katie and Lizzie are in America. One married a man named Cook and the other married Veany, both Wigan boys. Veany is dead.  Now Fahy daughter Maggie married a man named Peter Byrne; they had one son who died young and 4 daughters Maggie, Mary, Bridget and Agnes. Maggie never married. Mary married T Hancock. I was the best man that was in 1908. At Our Lady Church A???? Parish. Bridget married J. Fielding in the same church in 1906 and again I was the best man. They had on son Frank, who is now dead and 3 daughters, they are all living in the Wigan district. My Father was born in Wigan about 109 years ago and died in Wigan on 1906. My Mother was born in the Bewsey Parish in Warrington, 102 years ago and died in 1927. She was the daughter of John Mullen the only grandparent I ever remember; he died whilst I was still going to school and I used to go down Wallgate for his 5th Pension he received from the Pit (Gamble?) Moore Colliery. She also had two sisters. Mary who married I never knew either her husband or her and then Jane who married W Barnes they had 3 sons; John died in America, Harry My old school mate who comes to see me will be 79 in Oct. He married Nellie Mack who died young, leaving one boy. He is also dead and a girl living down Poolstock Wigan. Harry also married again to Anne Yates. I don’t know their family. William Barnes died in Manchester. He never married and then dear Sister Annie married a man in Ashton? Janice married Taylor, he also is dead. Maggie married a man named Entchkey???, now my Mothers bro Tom C Michael married but John did not. He died in the hospital at the age of 37 yrs. Tom had a large family, he was a retired Post man in Wigan but died years ago; he has two daughters born Annie & Lizzie. Katie died I believe call his son only Tom and dead J William Joe Fred Kerry Sam died in Wigan. J William Joe in Canada, they married two sisters and lived well over 80 yrs old. Michael married Jane Barnes sister of William who married Michael’s sister Jane so you see bro & sister married bros and sister. They went ou to Australia 79 years ago so the only thing I know about them that they had 10 children and one of them played a Forward in the Possible Probables but he was not selected to come in their Test Team to tour England yrs ago. Now my father in Law Family Joan & Annie both died. Thomas Ann was my wife Annie Parents Father & Mother. They also had Maggie Mother of 4 boys one died young the other she married J Taylor. Their son died yrs ago. 2 other boys married and lived in Wigan and the other ???? Phil. I don’t know where she lives. Mary Lizzie the 3rd sister is in ????????. Nellie lives in Pemberton, married L Sharky who is now dead. Thersa married P McCarthy and have one son John and daughters Margaret and Annie.  The last two are married, Nellie, John is also married. Now myself had a family of 4 sons and 3 daughters namely William, a Christian Bro, Tom, a White Fr. John married Angela Prior living somewhere in Clayton Co. Moor. Tim married J Whitehead the daughter of Jim & Nellie Whitehead, her father is dead and mother still lives in Manchester, and my 3 daughters are all married; one to Joe Smith, the other two married Americans and are now living there. Annie married a man named Bozesky. Betty married a man named Fidel Silva. Annie has about 7 children living and Betty 3 boys and one girl. My wife Annie’s grandparent was John & Bridget Jordan. I knew them both on her Father’s side. Her grandparents on her mother’s side I did not know but they were Joseph Clark. I did not know grandma’s’ first name but I feel sure her maiden was Halpin. They also had a son Pat who never married and I did not know him. I knew 3 of Annie’s aunts. Theresa died last yr 3 yrs old. Kitty died yrs ago. She left one son Jerry and one daughter Lizzie, both married. Lizzie is a widow woman had one son who got drowned in the canal in Inee. Mary never married and died a few yrs ago; one 7 yrs old the other sister Fanny married a man named J Kern both died yrs ago. They left 3, 2 girls and one boy. Joe who lives somewhere in Upholland. Annie went to Manchester, so they said. Theresa is in Blackpool. My father in law  like himself was also killed in the Pits and at Moore Pit (asphill????) And the other at Douglas Bank. Ted was married to Lizzie they had 2 boys Tom & Ted also Mary Jordan the boys are dead. Mary married Ly Cott they have 2 boys George & Michael. George is married and has 2 daughters only one is them is married. Now my father in law’s sister and his last bro Dick who died yrs ago left one boy and one girl. Now Kitty married Leo Bimley who came back from the South African War in 1900. They are dead and left Kitty and Nellie who are living somewhere in Blackburn. Their oldest girl Mary died about 5 yrs ago. Mary I only saw one from America, the other sisters Maggie who married Bob Anders has no children. Annie never married. Nellie married P Mallen, leaving one boy and two girls one of the girls is married and the son is married. Annie is still single.

Now of all my family named Moran only Katie is alive and she was the daughter of M Moran & Lizzie and that’s only 1 daughter and Michael Moran was only my Father’s brother in law. I also have two cousins in America who are the daughters of my Aunt Annie who married P McAvory. I have cousins of my Uncle Tom, two daughters Annie & Lizzie, living in Wigan and I think Tom is still alive in Canada; and my Mother’s Sister Jane Barnes have Harry, Annie, Janie, Maggie and I cannot tell you how many of cousin is still alive. So you see, I have only one of my Father’s left Katie and three of my Mother’s sister Jane left in Wigan; Harry & Jane & Maggie and that is all that is left of the Moran Family my Fathers Mothers and may all R.I.P.

So I think my Dear Grandson Peter, you will find it very nice to read and know(lgsan) dad all the best and I hope you have a very nice Holiday and Poor Shawn and Marie and Joan will look well after my little Grand Daughter Annie.

God Bless You all.

Love You So Much

by Jack

I love you so much grandpa. You are the best. My favorite things to do with you are play with stuffed animals and give you hugs. And I love you a lot.

Many Many Late Nights

by Ruth

I spent many many late nights at Tim's playing  Acey Duecey, and other poker games until the wee hours of the morning.  I won my tickets to America in one of those games.  Life was much easier, and I could stay up late and still make it to work in the morning.  Then we got on a chess game frenzy in which I learned a lot about chess.  I found out that you can loose in just 3 moves.  I lost most of the time,  but it was a lot of fun.  Tim was always a great host.  He had a never ending supply of tea and milk. I can still hear " Tea Rody, tea!" He also had a way with  wood.  We played on a chess board that he had made.  It had two seats on either side of the board stained in dark wood. The board was tiled and opend to hold the chess pieces inside.  It was a beautiful piece and I loved it.  I have not seen anything like it ever since.

Just want to wish you a Very Happy Birthday  You have always been a good friend, and lots of fun. I wish you the best. Love, Ruth. 

A Spitting Image

by Bill

Sometimes I think that we choose our parents. My Dad is the greatest influence in my life.  He comes home from work or play, and if I have had any problem that day, even though I seem fine, the first thing that comes out of his mouth is "what's on your mind?"  After a while of denying any problem, he comes out with a jewel of advice that somehow pertains to the situation exactly. He always has great advice for me. Some of my friends even go to him with their problems.  I remember meeting a little fur ball pup that our neighbor named Bear.  They could not keep the pup so I asked if we could keep him.  My Mother said no, that the dogs paws were too big and he would grow up to be too big for our house.  For two days I cried and cried.  On the third day I came home from school and Dad said someone was waiting for me.  That someone turned out to be Hercules.  Herk had a great life to the end.  One day Dad took Herk to my brother Joe's baseball game.  He sat on a lawn chair in the outfield with Herk tied to his chair. All of a sudden Herk bolted away knocking my Dad on the grass.  Herk dragged him for ten feet or so across the grass until the leash got free and Herk was gone.  Herk came back with a bag of Doritos.  We all wondered where he found the chips.  Our questions were answered when we looked a hundred feet away and noticed a chinese man holding his arm in pain with his picnic destroyed.  One grim day Dad called and said Herk was vomiting everywhere and needed to be put down.  So reluctantly, he took herk away only to come back an hour or two later with a mad expression on his face.  I told him he did everything he could. "He's in the fucking car" Dad said.  Herk lasted a couple of months after that only because my Dad got the medicine Herk needed.  Dad always takes care of his family.  People say sometimes that I'm a spitting image of my father and that makes me very proud.

Oregon Trail

by Tom

One 3/4 pickup truck with a half shell, 6 adults (that's counting a 15 year old - Tim was the elder at 24) 2 toddlers, 1 of them in diapers (God bless Swig), 2 flats, and 10 days on the road between Long Beach and Oregon. "Low bridge!"

Termino Park

by the Kileys

We have known Tim for about 20 years since he moved in next door. Mike and Tim became good friends as we all did in that little area known as Termino Park where all the kids seemed to enjoy playing and all of us sat at the picnic table and enjoyed many hours of talking along with a few beers for Mike and Tim (or ??????). During the years that followed it seemed like we became part of their family and enjoyed many memorable times, such as camping, swimming at the Elks, playing volleyball, barbeques and just enjoyable conversation.

Mike was outside the other night and I heard him laughing. When I asked what was so funny he said he had been thinking of all the neighbors that have lived around us. He started talking about when Tim and Freddie were invited to dinner by a neighbor and his son, and then got left at the old Maxwell's on the Huntington Beach Pier with no money. Tom and Mike went up to the restaurant and got Tim and the neighbor's son. Freddie had already escaped on foot.

Tim was always ready to help with things or take care of our animals if we went on vacation. We will always be great friends with Tim and the entire Silva family! We will all cherish the wonderful memories of the fun times we shared together!

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY!!!!
LOVE, THE KILEYS
(Mike, Monty, Jason, Laura, Bill, Shannon, Carolynn, and Michael)

Tim Radio 7 - John Denver

by Tom

I'd heard the song Country Roads on the radio and kind of thought I knew who John Denver was. Then Tim brought home this album, Farewell Andromeda, and asked me to listen to it.

"Up in a meadow in Jasper Alberta, two men and four ponies on a long lonesome ride."

It sounds horribly cliche, but this album (I think JDs best) significantly altered the course of my life. What I heard was not just a string of songs, but a place. A new place. A place of mile high skies, cold icy nights, a Berkley girl strumming a dulcimer, an Angel from Montgomery, and a world of bright new mornings I was ecstatic to be welcomed to. This album was ground zero for me in transitioning from really appreciating music to actually getting in the game. Within months I'd learned my first 3 chords (thanks Perry) and started finding my own voice, for better or worse. Other influences followed: Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, Seals & Croft, James Taylor, the Eagles, America, & of course John Michael Talbot. I never progressed much past those first 3 chords, but I've played the snot out of them and had a lot of good times in the process. Thanks bro.

Wishing Tim a Most Wonderful

by Joette

Hi Tim, I'm not sure if we are going to make it to the party but I and Cheryl want to wish you a most wonderful 60th!!!

Cheryl and I hope you have a blast on your VERY SPECIAL DAY!!! We always enjoy your company when we get together with you and your family. 

I want you to know that Wes Montgomery's Day In A Life was one of my favorite albums, and I have the CD.  I play it all the time!!!! 

I will be joining the 60'S Club next year, so you won't be alone, LOL!!  You're in our thoughts and prayers my friend.  God Bless You Always, love ya, Joette and Cheryl.

Tim TV - Life of Riley

by Tom

The Life of Riley was already running in afternoon repeats circa 1960. I remember that Tim really liked this show, and I remember thinking as a kid that it was a totally cool show to like. This was probably due to the fact that Tim had to talk me out of my favorite show, Felix the Cat, to watch this one. As I watched this video, all that I could really remember was the main actor, William Bendix, and the opening credits. What I do remember was that I always watched it with my big brother Tim, and that I felt older and cooler watching it with him. Seems to be a pattern.

Life of Riley - Babs School Election Part 1

Life of Riley - Babs School Election Part 2

Life of Riley - Babs School Election Part 3