Emilian N Ilinescu

Most of you do not know Emil the way I know him. So I would like to share a bit about his life.

My father grew up in Romania. He was the oldest of the three boys and always took the leading role in taking care of his family. He was a good provider, a supportive son, and a good brother. As a child, he loved spending time with his grandparents, in Poienitza, where he had his favorite pet goat, Florica. We got to hear numerous stories about Florica and him running through the hills.

He had a lot of pride for his country and also loved the military.  He was practicing being a commander in chief even as a child, with his chicken and his childhood friends. 

He married the love of his life at the age of 21, after he graduated from military school, and one year later he had me.

My father and I were very close. I was the only child and at that time and the only girl in my father’s family. You can only imagine the joy he felt when he had a girl!

My father worked in leading jobs his whole life in Romania. As a reserve officer, he managed to get a highly desired position as a chief of staff for the biggest car factory in the country. Even though he loved his job and his life in Romania, his greatest love was for me. I had always dreamed about moving to America. My mother had decided to take a trip out to the United States and decided not to return. She had made the ultimate sacrifice for me and for our family. My father, however, was not too happy about this decision. Having pride for his country, he was reluctant to leave initially. However, he knew how much this meant to me and a year and a half later, we both moved to the United States in pursuit of a new life.

By the time he was in his late 40s, he had found a new love: his grandchildren. They called him Papa Mil and he kept this name until he died. 

I will always remember our vacations at the Black Sea, his library of over 500 books that he read two or three times, his sense of humor, and his honest opinions.  

He suffered a lot in the last 10 years. After his heart attack and strokes, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. It was painful watching him suffer and my mother stood by his side and took care of him at home every day. 

He is free from suffering, free from struggling and at peace at last!

I will miss you a lot!  May God rest your soul, Papa Mil!

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