My paternal grandfather’s given name was Daniel but no one ever referred to him as Dan, Daniel or Danny. Nope. For his entire life, he was known only as “Happy”. As a toddler I didn’t question names – I just hoped I could get the words out of my mouth. So many in our family had complicated, multi-syllabic monikers that were tongue-twister tricky. Thank goodness nicknames were the predominant family tradition. We had “Butch”, “Gus”, “Loulou”, “Magpie”, “Myrtle” and “Slats” in the wackadoodle roster of kinfolk. For some, I have no clue what their actual names were.
But Happy – my grandfather? I don’t recall the moment but my dad said I asked him once, when I was just a tot, where Snow White and the other dwarfs were – if Grandpa’s name was “Happy”. I must’ve figured Grumpy and Dopey were nearby – aliases for the aunts or uncles?
The only credible reasons I’ve found for Grandpa Daniel’s “Happy” nickname is that he was, as a young man, happy. All the time. As a second-generation immigrant, he rejoiced in hard work and was a laborer at a rock quarry. Whenever the opportunity presented, however, he was on a golf course. Whether it was Scottish roots or just his calling, he loved golf, as did my dad.
I’m sharing two photos of Grandpa Happy that I adore. I wish my dad was still alive so I could pepper him with questions. Photos are divine…but as I stare at the young Happy, I know his life unfolded to include incapacitating grief. That’s when I knew him, after Grandma Lily passed away. The name “Happy” didn’t fit by then. Ten-year old me learned lessons about irony when I compared his behavior and demeanor with his name. He was loving, but always shrouded, never smiling. That’s how I knew him.
A friend and I detoured into a silly conversation about stupid, slapstick movies recently and she confessed that she really likes silly Adam Sandler flicks, especially “Happy Gilmore”. I think I knew about the film, but must’ve missed it, given it debuted at an ultra-busy time in my life in the late 90’s. Childcare and elder care were top priorities which meant Vicki had no time for silly – especially in the form of a two-hour sit-down to enjoy a goofy comedy. Those were pragmatic, push-thru days.
BUT – my friend’s admission about “Happy Gilmore”? Yep – made me wonder about the film’s title and the “Happy” backstory. Whether entirely true or not, one account is that Adam Sandler had a childhood friend who kicked his butt in golf. A fun-loving, ‘happy’ friend…and Sandler’s character in the film is loosely based on his childhood golfing buddy.
When I look at the pics I’ve snipped in here of Grandpa Happy, all hip-checking swagger on a golf course, I smile. He had very little in his life as a hard-working papa and spouse, but golly – the man knew how to pose – whether on a golf course or in that stunning fedora. The combo of finding fun pics of my grandfather, mixed in with goofy movie trivia is a feel-good for me. So, I thought I’d share.
If Grandpa Happy lived a little longer, he would’ve been disappointed in me. My “golfing” claim to fame? Being booted off countless courses by the rangers…as I drove carts for my dad over the years. Once I tried to caddy. Oh, big mistake! Golfers don’t like onlookers who don’t know how to hush up. I’ve never been the hush up type…but maybe if Grandpa Happy was putting, out of respect, I would’ve quieted down for him.
Thank you for reading…and big happy smiles to you!
Vicki 😊
Victoria Ponders 
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