Jerry Custin's Eulogy for Cecil

This was a eulogy I was honored to provide on behalf of Barney Gonyea Council Knights of Coulumbus.

While I know that words cannot express the sense of loss that we feel, I asked Cecil’s family if they would mind if I said a few words about him. Despite Cecil’s unfailing good humor and positive attitude I think we all had sense that he faced some serious odds. Still the finality is difficult to comprehend. I was informed of Cecil’s passing by Bob Nelson just before the 10:15 Mass on Sunday. It hit me very hard as I intended to call or visit him later in the day if possible and had talked about that with Cindy on the way to Mass. But God had other plans. As I sat contemplating my failure to let him know how much he meant to the Council and personally to our family, my thoughts were interrupted by the start of Mass and the announcement that the Mass was dedicated to the memory of Father John Hempel. It struck me how fitting it was that this Mass would now be dedicated to two great Knights and that Cecil was now reunited with one of his best friends. As the Mass progressed, the fact that this was the Feast of the Holy Family and again the parallels of Cecil’s dedication to and love of his family, parish, the brotherhood of Knights and his community spoke to me about how fitting this day was for Cecil to find his eternal reward. But it was the readings that really got me to thinking about the underlying beauty of this family and community tragedy. The first reading from the Book of Sirach eloquently reminded us that “whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own” and knowing how much Cecil loved his family and was loved in return and was surrounded by that love even to the very final moments provided some solace. The second reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians was the real clincher though as it described Cecil’ character as perfectly as anything that I can imagine and I was struck by the thought that “this was the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad”. I would like to read that passage in it’s entirety. “You are God’s chosen race, his Saints, he loves you and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility , gentleness and patience. Bear with one another, forgive each other as soon as quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you, now you must do the same. Over all these clothes to keep them together and complete them, put on love. And, may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, because it is for this that you were called together as parts of one body. Always be thankful. Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom. With gratitude in your hearts sing psalms and hymns and inspired songs to God, and never say or do anything except in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Husbands love your wives and treat them with gentleness. Children be obedient to your parents always because that is what will please the Lord. Parents never drive tour children to resentment or you will make them fell frustrated. Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as if it were for the Lord and not for men, knowing that the Lord will repay you by making you his heir.” Doing what is right with enthusiasm, joy, thanks and love – that is Cecil Ruckart. In sum, Cecil simply was a friend. Nothing more need be said. That word friend conveys a lot – honesty, integrity, loyalty, commitment, service and over all these clothes these gifts were wrapped in Cecil’s unfailing love. I can speak fist hand of the loss to our Council, Assembly and Parish that Cecil’s passing mean and it is truly enormous as he was involved in so many things that none of us can really count or assess the impact. But whatever that impact is, it is multiplied many times over by the loss of a wonderful husband, brother, father and grandfather that is felt by his family. Cecil please know that we all love you very much and we pray that you will continue to be with us and guide us so that we all can somehow emulate the example you have given us. Our prayers are with you and your wonderful family and we are truly thankful and better people for having been blessed to know you. I’ll conclude with an Irish blessing. May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Jerry Custin, Grand Knight