Father knows best
Readers share their dad's word of wisdom
AMANDA CUDA acuda@ctpost.com
June 18, 2006 (Father's Day)
Do good. It's a simple phrase, consisting of only two words. On the surface, it may seem like nothing more than just a gentle admonishment to approach life with the best you have to offer.
But to Bob Abbate, 51, of Trumbull, these words were heard so often on the lips of his dad that they became a kind of family motto. His father, also named Bob Abbate is 79 and lives in Baiting Hollow, N.Y.
Throughout the years, dad was constantly advising Abbate and his sister to "do good," whether talking about work, school, social situations or anything else. The younger Bob Abbate said the words of wisdom originate from his dad's own desire to excel at everything he did.
His dad worked making furniture and "when he would build something, he'd take three times as long as anybody else, because he's such a perfectionist," Abbate said. "His philosophy is 'If you're going to do something in life, be the best you can be.' "
Dad still offers this bit of wisdom, said his son, and the family still listens.
"It's taken on a life of its own, he's been saying it for so long," Abbate said.
