However, in the days since this horrific attack, we’ve also been overwhelmed by an outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and the nation.
Everyone’s offers of love, prayers and support are truly appreciated and greatly needed. Even in our time of great sadness, we have gratitude; we know that the world is still filled with love. We’re grateful for the time we had on earth with Damian and we’re grateful that all knew him as the same person we did. Damian was a bright light in this world. His family was the most important thing in his life, his raison d’etre, and as such, he was an amazing husband, son and brother, and the perfect father. He was extremely selfless, extremely intelligent, and had an awesome sense of humor. He loved unconditionally, and was calm, creative, humble, tolerant, patient, and kind. He did not believe in intolerance – he possessed no hatred or ill-will toward anyone. He loved to read, to learn, to travel, to paint, to garden, and to sit by his pond. He was creative and talented, hard-working, and generous with his time and talent. Throughout his life, he painted many murals; he traveled to Europe, Asia, and all throughout the United States. He played basketball, he coached his daughters’ soccer teams, and he worked as part of the “chain gang” for the Notre Dame High School football team. He enjoyed working on cars, and always had a “fixer-upper” in the garage. He loved to decorate for all the holidays and would always put up elaborate light displays and decorations on the house and yard every Halloween and Christmas. Overall, he believed that life was good, and he lived by the motto “amplecti possiblitate.” He was a very good, kind-hearted man with a gentle soul, and he will be deeply missed.
We ask, as a family, that people fight hatred with love, and that they seek to perform small acts of kindness for others, as Damian always did. “Many small people who in many small place do many small things that can alter the face of the world.” Please choose love, compassion, and kindness.
Thank you