HAPPY FATHER'S DAY - What work did your Dad do to support your family?

1913

Circa 1930

1954-Lake Huron, Michigan-My Dad, my brother, Norm and my grandma Marie Gould

May 1965 - Pompano Bch, Fla the morning we left for California - My Dad, my grandma, me and my brother, Norm

In honor of Father’s Day I thought I would talk about the jobs I remember my Dad having, in order to put food on our table and a roof over our heads.  My Mom also had occasional jobs to help with the family funds.  But, today we’ll talk about my Dad.

My Dad wasn’t one of those Dads who worked the same job for twenty or thirty years.  He kind of changed jobs a lot and did whatever work he could find.  That made things at our house, to be truthful, a little less than secure. We never had much money when I was growing up and there were many struggles because of that.


That being said.  Let’s talk about some of the jobs my Dad held beginning with the 1940 census.  My Dad was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan.  We moved from there to Florida in 1957.  He was married to his first wife, Elaine, at the time of the 1940 census. He married my mother in 1949.

1940 – Statistician at the Michigan State Auditor’s Office
1952 – Truck Driver with Hess Cartage Co. in Detroit, Michigan

During the time we lived in Pompano Beach, Florida, (1957-1965) my Dad held many jobs.  These are the ones my brother and I can recall.

Milkman
Valet at a nightclub
Sanitation truck driver
Gas station attendant
Worked at White Castle hamburgers

We moved to San Diego, California in May 1965.  These are the jobs my brother and I remember, although we think there were others.

TV salesman at Montgomery Wards
Technical writer for a company that worked with aircraft contracts
Apartment Manager

My Dad managed several apartment complexes in San Diego.  He did that right up until he moved back to Detroit, in 1987, at the age of 75.

While my Dad might not have had a long career in any one field, he did what he could do to support his family.  I miss him and I loved him.

What kind of work did you Dad do?  Tell me about it in a comment or on your own blog and leave me the link so I can read it.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST 
WORKDAY WEDNESDAY - What kind of work did your ancestors do?
MY DAD - Born 100 years ago today - December 31, 1012

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2015   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

MY DAD - BORN 100 YEARS AGO TODAY

MY DAD - CELEBRATING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH

Harry Norman Gould, son of Harry Whipple Gould & Marie Lindsay

Today is New Year's Eve. This is a day that is celebrated around the world as we welcome a new year. 

 However, in my family it was important for another reason. It was my Dad's birthday. 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

   You died back in 1991, but you are always near in my heart. 

When I was a little girl you held me when I skinned my knees, which was often.  You always encouraged me when I would draw because you thought I was good at it. You were always encouraging no matter what I wanted to do. Whether it was moving to Texas, dating a new guy (as long as you thought he was good enough), or joining the police force.  You weren't very good with money, but you tried very hard to make a decent life for me and my brother.    You stayed with us during the difficult times back in 1965.  I'll always be grateful for that. We didnt always agree, but then what teenager ever does.  Raising two teenagers as a single father must have been very difficult.  We only knew what went on in our lives...all the drama that goes with the teenage years.  I never thought of what you must have been going through. 

   You loved us very much, of that I have no doubt. You could tell a good story and you must have known a thousand jokes. 

                Well, I miss all that and I miss you.  So Happy Birthday to you Dad.  

H. Norman Gould age 21

1967 - My Dad with my brother Norm

My Dad with his parents - age 5 months 

Here is my TIP to you today.  Time goes by very quickly in our lives.  Talk to your grandparents, parents, aunts & uncles while they are still here.  Ask them questions about their lives.  Buy one of those books that have questions in them and have them fill it out.  Go through old photos with them and make sure there are names & dates on the back of ALL the photos.  I did this with my Dad only a little bit and I wish I'd done more.  A photo is not worth a thousand words, unless you know who's in it.  When you are in your teens and 20's and even your 30's you don't think it will matter all that much what happened in the past.  But.....then one day, they are all gone and you are left with photos and memories and suddenly you want to know more. 

• How did your grandparents & parents meet? 
• How long did they date? 
• Where were they married? 
• Did they go on a honeymoon?
• Where did they live? 
• Where did they go to school? 
• Who were their friends? 
• What were their interests & hobbies? 
• What were their dreams? 
• What were their occupations? 
• Did they travel?  If so, where did they go?

Don't let these questions go unanswered while you have them here - ASK THEM NOW.  You will never regret it, I promise.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Michigan Girl