WILLIAM ARTHUR DUPEE 1871 - 1949
As a young man, Grandpa was in the wool business, however when synthetic fabrics were invented he moved into a banking career. He was Treasurer of the Provident Institute for Savings. He was one of the warmest and gentlest people I have ever known. There are so many memories with Grandpa, decorating the Christmas tree, then going to Beacon Hill ( Lewisberg Square) to sing Christmas carols. I would get up very early on Saturday morning to eat breakfast with him before anyone else came down stairs. He said that if I was going to be a true New Englander, I would have codfish balls and baked beans on Saturday morning and finnen haddie on Sunday. The thrill of going to church with him on Sunday and that special of pride when I watched him collect the offering in his morning coat. We used to cook scrambled eggs and Indian pudding on Sunday night because th~ maids were off and Grandma couldn't cook.He had a wonderful way with children yet he never made you feel like a child. The last time I wrote to him I was 15 and " wondering what was I going to do with my life, and what studies should I take in college" I received a letter from him the day before he died. I found out later, it was the last letter he wrote in the hospital. " I have read carefully what you have had to say, and my dear whatever you may decide, be sure it is a career if necessary you would be able to support yourself, but it must be a career that you choose for YOURSELF. I will tell you as you have asked me to, I have watched you with Pix and other little children and you seem to be very patient and good with them. You might consider teaching." I became a teacher.
If I may borrow a line from Henry Bromfield Rogers as he wrote of his grandfather Henry Bromfield
"I thank God that I have been permitted to see and know thee. It makes me think better of human nature".
