On June 8, 2011 Joseph Beaudry died at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Joe was Peter's birth father. We got a call the morning of June 7th from Joe's 2nd wife telling us that he had fallen and hit his head and was in the hospital and wasn't doing well. Peter and I quickly made arrangements to fly to Michigan that evening and we made it to the hospital about 12:30am. Peter was introduced to his brothers and sister that he had never met and they just finding out for the first time that they had another brother. It was emotional and joyful and sad all at the same time. Peter and I stayed at the hospital while the others went home and stayed by Joe's side until he passed away from this life at 3:15 am that same night.
This is a picture of Joe and Janis Beaudry (who were named Peter's Godfather and Godmother) and Grandma Elizabeth Sudnick holding Peter, one month old, with Grandpa Sudnick. This was the only picture we had of Peter's father until they met for the first time in 2004 and then again in the summer of 2005 with the kids and I.
These are Peter's new brothers Chris, Mark, Mike, Paul, Greg (passed away) and sister Micki.
The kids with some new Beaudry cousins
One life ends and a new family begins. Pictured in the front is Joe Beaudry's mother, Mary Gelso Beaudry, she is 93 years old and welcomed us Banfield's into the family with open arms and love.
After the funeral we decided to stop by Peter's childhood home in Monroe, Michigan where this story all began. The owner of the home let us in and and showed us around the property. Peter said it looks exactly the same as he remembered it.
We couldn't leave Michigan without stopping by to see Great Grandma Sudnick (age 98) who lives an hour north in St. Clair Shores. We stopped by for a surprise visit and she treated the kids to some ice cream before we began our long journey home.
