Bampi...

On July 26, 2012, Jeremy's grandfather "Bampi" passed away after a short battle with cancer.  He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in late June.  Jeremy was able to make a quick trip out to visit with him two weeks before he passed away.  We wanted to share his obituary.

J. SYDNEY KANE J. Sydney Kane, D. Min., 93, a resident of Elm Terrace Gardens in Lansdale since 1998, died July 26, 2012. Born January 15, 1919, in Erie, Rev. Dr. Kane was the son of J. Sydney Kane Sr., a Baptist minister who immigrated to America as a boy in 1906. Dr. Kane spent his boyhood years in north central Pennsylvania and moved to Philadelphia to complete his undergraduate and seminary degrees. He married M. Elise VanBuskirk in 1942, a Sacred Music student at the seminary. Together they forged a life of ministry for forty-four years, serving churches in Hawley, Pottsville and North Wales. He retired from North Wales Baptist Church after twenty-five years of service. During his years of ministry he became certified in Marriage and Family Counseling from the Marriage Council of Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania and earned Masters and Doctoral degrees from Eastern Baptist Seminary (Palmer) in Wynnewood. Mr. Kane nurtured a lifelong love of community involvement by serving as secretary of the North Wales Rotary Club from 1968 to 1997. Additionally, under his leadership, the North Wales Baptist Church welcomed many immigrant families into their fellowship. Since retirement, Mr. Kane has worked as the editor of Metrolines, a publication of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, and has continued preaching and leading adult Bible studies. He was made Pastor Emeritus of North Wales Baptist Church in 1984. Sydney thoroughly enjoyed participating in activities at Elm Terrace Gardens and treasured many friendships there. He also exercised at the Lansdale YMCA six days a week, where his fellow senior athletes became like a second family. Although legally blind, he continued to sing in two choirs and memorized numerous poems, which he enthusiastically recited to his family and many friends. Throughout the seasons of his life, Mr. Kane was blessed with an unyielding faith, an open heart and willing hands; gifts which forever altered the lives of those who loved him. He is survived by his children, Houghton (Nancy) Kane and Margaret (Dennis) Roberts; five grandchildren, Heather (Lance) Cobb, Alison (Josh Johnson) Kane, Judson Kane, Kymberle Roberts and Jeremy (Amber) Roberts; 12 great-grandchildren, Tadan, Sydney, Makenzie and Paiton Cobb, Elias, Wyatt and Jessie Johnson, Madison Miles, Emily Rutherford and Coraline Kane and Kensley and Avery Roberts. He was preceded in death by his wife, M. Elise Kane and brother, Dr. Carlton Kane. A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, Aug. 4, 11AM at North Wales Baptist Church, 136 Shearer St., North Wales, PA 19454. Burial will be private in North Wales Baptist Cemetery. Preferred memorials are to the church, North Wales Baptist Church, address above. Arrangements by Huff and Lakjer Funeral Home, Lansdale.

Bampi with Kens in January of 2011

Bampi will be terribly missed!