An End of Era: The Passing of Anthony Edelin

October 26th, 2021 marked the end of an era with passing of my father Anthony Iracks-Edelin. A few months before my mother Diana Iracks-Edelin passed away my father was admitted into the Bridgepoint nursing home where he lived there for the duration of his life. During his time there I was able to go visit him whenever I could or when I was in the mood to do so as the setting was sad and made me realize how bad his condition was. His joints were locked up and his speech was heavily impaired due to complications from a surgery he had done the summer before high school which ultimately made him bedridden. As his youngest son I never really had the opportunity to have the conversations with him to learn about his perception of life, of what manhood meant to him, and how he handled adversity due to his impaired speaking. I really had to listen intently to understand you man.


Despite all of what happened in his life he still had a robust flame of joy present and cracked jokes. Over time I was able to understand what you were saying more and more but it just wasn't the same. I did most of the talking and you listened and made me feel safe and strong when I felt weak. Although his health was declining I subconsciously noticed how magnificent his mental fortitude was. His outlook on life was not one that dealt him a crappy hand. It didn't mean that we didn't cry together or voice our frustrations but instead it meant being vulnerable and determined to make it to the next day for whatever reason. He literally showed me despite his impaired speech and being bedridden the power of mental fortitude throughout the 12 years of him being there and I didn't consciously realize it until I saw him in the ICU yesterday. In spite of the fact that you were unable to explicitly tell me how to carry myself in this life you modeled it for me and for that I am forever thankful for your existence.


I am honored to be your son and grateful that I even had parents in my life for as long as I did or in general that loved me. Thank you dad for showing me and reminding me about the importance of character as it is not just about when you have all eyes on you but when you know that no one is looking at you and you continue to be solid. You are one solid being and I am determined to honor you. I love you and may you sleep as peacefully as you did in this photo.