We had a couple of frazzling days starting on the 16th of September. I got a call early morning that my sister's husband had keeled over and died. It hit me pretty hard for a moment because my brother-in-law was like a big brother to me. Still, I managed to practice with the guys that evening and it was like good therapy playing and working out the songs. It's weird how music soothes the soul.
However, the impact of his death did not hit me until I saw his picture in the Obit section of the newspaper and I cried like a baby until I got it all out. We had the wake Thursday night and the Funeral today. I was nervous and all bent out of shape because I got so behind in all my work, and then after the Mass and the burial today...tranquility set in when we all went to my sister's house to eat and talk. It's amazing as to how many emotions you go through when things like this happen. Thank God my sister is strong and is taking everything well.
I had a very special relationship with Tom, and like I said he was like a big brother to me. He always helped me out in many different ways. I remember he used to work at the Bus Depot until Midnight, so I would usually go out and party in Juarez, and be back in El Paso in enough time to catch a ride home with him. I did not have a car at the time, so it was great to be able to depend on him for a ride. He was always cheerful and was sincerely interested in whatever I was into at the time.
Later on he sold me a car and had me make monthly payments. I did not make very much money, but I usually managed to make the payments. Inevitably came that time when I could not make a couple of payments, but Tom believed in me and eventually I paid the car off. He could have easily taken it away from me, but he was too generous to do that.
More later...
Here is what the obituary said:
Tomas Varela, 65, passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2008. Tom was born in Ft. Hancock, TX and retired from the El Paso Police Department. He was preceded in death by his parents Felix and Maria, and his sister, Oralia. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; children, David, Tisha, Steven and Celina; daughters-in-law, DeAnna and Monica; his grandchildren, Christopher, Patrick, Georgia and Alison; sisters, Carmen, Olga, Mary; brother, Felix Jr., and many other loving relatives and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18th from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. with Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home-Carolina. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Sept. 19th at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in his name to the El Paso Municipal Police Officers' Association, 747 E. San Antonio Ave, Suite 103, El Paso, TX 79901. Interment will follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. ARRANGEMENTS BY HILLCREST FUNERAL HOME. www.hillcrestfuneralhome.org 1060 Carolina Dr. 598-3332
