Eugene Spaziani was my grandfather who recently passed in June of 2016. He was one of the most admirable people in not only my life, but everyone who knew him. When my grandmother Carol and him were married, they traveled the world together in their early years while my grandfather studied for a year in London. They both attended UCLA when there was only around 30 people in their graduating class. My grandmother persued her master's degree, and my grandfather Eugene went on to get his Ph.D. and became a professor at the University of Iowa in Endocrinology. Not only did this set the staple for my profound love and dignity throughout my own education, but he also set my heart on traveling the world. I have been so fortunate, as my grandfather took me to many places overseas during the last years of his life. One of my favorite trips with him was traveling to Rome to meet my extended family members that still live there. At the time none of us spoke italian except for Eugene, so he translated for us the entire time, (this also set my passion for learning how to speak the Italian language, a tribute to my bloodline!) Before his death after he was diagnosed with cancer, we took one last trip overseas to one of his favorite cities, Barcelona. Here is where I think my grandfather and I really found each other's souls. At age 18, I finally felt mature enough to really embrace my surroundings and express my gratitude for all of the amazing architecture he took the time to show me. I couldn't be more thankful for that last experience with him, i can only see us walking along the Las Ramblas together in my dreams. Thank you Grandpa, for showing me accept people for who they are, and show comassion to all walks of life. Thank you for giving me my love and talent for all things musical. Thank you for expanding my heart to all cultures around the globe. Thank you for giving me a scientific perspective on life, and showing me the beauty in this giant floating rock that we all live on. Because of you, I have a profound love for the Earth, and I can only hope to continue your legacy on it.
rest in paradise, my Italian stud. I miss you every single day! I will never be for thankful for the experiences you gave to me. I love you grandpa <3
(writing this was extremely healing, as my heart bleeds every time I reminisce about your life and times shared with you)
Below is a speech I prepared at the spreading-of-his-ashes at his home in Iowa City:
We gather here today in remembrance of Eugene Spaziani,
A devoted and humble father, step-father, grandfather, husband, professor, researcher, world-traveler, cat-enthusiast, food-devotee, musician & most importantly a brilliant man of his own.
The very fact that he desired to be buried beneath the plants in his hand-made garden defends and speaks to the kind of man that he was. Even in his afterlife he wished to support the Earth in a positive way.
Eugene Spaziani was a man of his word. He worked very hard throughout the early years of his life to contribute to a society that needed him most. As serious as he was during this time in his life, his heart was full of gold, for us to only later find out. Because I personally only knew him during the later years of his life, he chose to only show me the grandfather side of him, but I felt who he truly was on a very personal level. I saw the way his eyes lit up when he got the opportunity to help another individual during their hardships. I felt the way he gently touched every delicate person, place, or thing. He moved with grace, compassion, and dignity.
Not only did he place a profound impact on the lives of students, research, colleagues, & even strangers, but he heavily impacted those close to his heart – his loved ones.
I know we would all be different people if it weren’t for my grandfather. He made his life spectacular & because of him, all of our lives are too. Because of him, we all have a little bit of his golden heart buried deep within us that guides us through our deepest, darkest places.
Although Eugene is no longer with us in the physical world, his spirit will forever live on through each of us, along with the Earth that surrounds us.
May the plants growing above his ashes take in all his celebrated attributes & shed his light on this Earth for all of eternity.
Rest in paradise, Grandpa, & know that we are all here to continue your positive influence on our world.
