RIP Gratis

RIP Gratis

Mike "Pops" Gratis

September 22, 1937 - June 16, 2006

It's with a very heavy heart that we report that Mike "Pops" Gratis, father of Chapter President Mike Gratis, passed away peacefully on the evening of June 16, 2006, shortly after watching an enjoyable game of Red Sox baseball with his wife of 47 years, Terry. Pops was usually seen tagging along with Mike on many rides and trips, including numerous Blue Knights functions.

His wake was held on June 22nd at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home and was very well attended. His funeral was held on June 23rd at Saint Margaret's Church. A motorcycle procession was led by Bourne Police Officer & Blue Knight Kevin McMahon as well as Blue Knight Pat Griffin, followed by bikes from Cape Cod HOG. Excellent coverage both to the church and cemetery was provided by the Bourne Police, Massachusetts State Police and Wareham Police Departments. Immediately following the church services, he was buried at Saint Patrick's Cemetery, off Route 28 in Wareham, MA. Afterwards, we all met at Way Ho Restaurant to socialize and remember Pops and the many good times we shared with him.

Terry requests that memorial donations be made to:

Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod
270 Communication Way
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-957-0200
http://hospicecapecod.org

Son, Mike, wishes to pass along the following:

Thanks to all who have already contacted us, sent cards and/or flowers, made Hospice donations, and to those who are keeping us in your thoughts & prayers. Pops would have been very proud of the send-off he got and how many people really cared about him.

His Brother-In-Law (Mike's Uncle) Joe Labretto came up with this very fitting poem:

BLUE HIGHWAY

When I die, please don't cry,
As I have just gone to ride
My Harley on that
Blue Highway in the sky.

And when the thunder roars,
And the lightning's flash,
You'll know it's just me
Laying on the gas.

When you look up in the sky,
On that bright moon lit night,
You'll know it's my Harley headlight
Lighting up the night.

When the day comes,
As we all know it eventually will,
I will be waiting for you on
My Harley just over the hill.

So give me a wave as you thunder by,
As I will always be watching over you
From my Blue Highway in the sky.