Obituary

My beautiful, amazing Papa left us for his eternal home on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023…. He was at home with me, his daughter, Natascha Anita Eickhoff, son in law, Scott Eickhoff, and grandsons, Nathan and Dustin.  He was loved deeply and cared for lovingly by his family and his caregivers, Kristen, and Maria.

As many of you know my dad has been suffering from Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia for the last 5-6 years and came to live with us in January of 2021.  My dad was my world.  He raised me as a single dad since I was 8 years old…and he made sure I had the greatest life. I’m not sure what the days look ahead without him…but I know he will be so terribly missed….

Pierre Joseph Guillemot was born in Malestroit, France on December 27^th, 1936.  The youngest of 5, Lucie, Anne, Denise, and Rene…He has now joined them in eternal life and I’m sure it was a fabulous reunion.  He grew up in France, serving 2 years in the French army in Algeria, during the Algerian War, then moving to Paris…and then following his brother, Rene, to New Jersey, USA. Dreading the East Coast winters…He began to move west settling in Southern California.

My father’s greatest accomplishment of living…he knew how to live life to the fullest.  He loved people, loved laughter, loved traveling, and loved his family.  He lived many lives in his 86 years (almost 87) …from traveling with the Merchant Marines to South America and Asia, living in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Hollywood, Palm Springs, and his loved beach towns, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and his favorite Balboa Island/Newport Beach.

Pierre made so many friends everywhere he lived, and they stayed friends through moves, ups and downs, travels.

I think my dad’s most favorite time in life was working and living on Balboa Island.  He was a house painter, and his clients became friends and family.  And if he wasn’t painting, he was most certainly entertaining his many friends with fabulous meals, a glass of wine, baguettes, French cheese, and funny pranks.  And of course, being an amazing father to me.

My dad and I lived in little beach houses on the Island…only requirement was a large patio for friends to gather.  One of our houses was on Marine Ave on the Island.  It was behind two shops on the main street.  It had a beautiful, large patio where my dad had hung lots of bright patio lights.  We ate outside whenever the weather permitted…and often tourists would walk through our gate thinking we were a restaurant…with the many guests we had at our tables.  Going through photos I also found some dinners inside…I’ve since been back to that little house, and saying it was tiny is not an exaggeration…. but there in that tiny little house my dad would have tables stretch across fitting 8-10 guests…it was magic how large he made it seem…He has a way of making everyone feel welcome, comfortable, and loved.

His dinners were superb…and as  an American teenager….long European meals were something I dreaded….But as an adult now, how I wish we were still on the Island having our 2-3 hour dinners where we talked…just the 2 of us…no interruptions, (heaven forbid my friends would call during dinner)….some exquisite entrée followed by my favorite salad of all time with my dad’s homemade dressing that I have yet to replicate, and the cheese and the bread.  What I wouldn’t give to have one more of those meals with my dad.

If you were ever a guest at his table, you know that his meals were truly love embodied in food.

My dad also loved Mexico.  He loved the sun, the beach, the seafood.  He took me to San Felipe 2-3 times a year and often included 1 or 2 of my girlfriends.  He would set us up in his huge blue canvas, Coleman tent with electricity, tables and chairs and an air mattress right on the sand.  Making sure we glamped well before glamping was a thing.   He would love to torture us girls by sending the Mariachi’s over when we were laying out in the sun…we would be so embarrassed…by the joy it brings in memories is unforgettable.  Always at Ruebens Campground…and in future years Kiki’s.  He also traveled to many other areas in Mexico and always came home with plenty of photos of the friends he made along the way.

He lived well…. filled with more friendship and love than most people I’ve ever met…He gave his all to those he loved…his heart, his friendship, his loyalty, his meals, his home, whatever he had he gave.

He taught me to surround myself with love, joy, laughter, and friends…to always leave my door open…to serve others with joy and abundance and to live fully and completely.  He also taught me to work hard…efficient and smart, but to do in the right way and only the right way…no shortcuts, or cheats.  He showed me how to be a committed parent to my children…gentle but firm…. building not only a bond of mother and son…but a friendship to transcend into adulthood.  He taught me the importance of good food, good wine, good company, real friendships.  I am so much my father’s daughter…he has been my father, friend, cheerleader, and has shown me what unconditional love should look like.

On the last day of his earthly life, I asked him to paint the skies for me…and so far, he has honored that request with beautiful blue skies, clouds, and sunsets…He is forever in my heart and in my soul.  I will miss him more than any words could describe until we meet again…. can’t wait to sit at his dinner table again….

Hidden beneath the laughter is a sadness that I will live with for the rest of my life,
this is the scar of grief……
~ Mark Lemon

Events and Services:

Funeral Mass
1/29/2024
11am
San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church
5800 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd., Anaheim, CA 92808

Lunch Reception:
Following Mass
San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church
5800 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd., Anaheim, CA 92808

Open House for anyone wanting to join after lunch at Eickhoff Residence

Charities and Donations:

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask for donations for memorial piece of jewelry for Natascha.  A diamond will be created from Pierre’s hair, and placed into a ring setting that will also have Pierre’s fingerprint on it.  This will be so that Natascha can carry her dad with her every day.  And in turn will be a piece of you and your relationship with Pierre…a legacy Natascha treasures.

Cash or Check: Natascha Eickhoff
Venmo: @Natascha-Eickhoff
https://gofund.me/9a3d152f

The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent YOUR dash?