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Note: REFN23 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 s tairs. 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. Th~ thrill of going to church with him on Sunday and that special of pride when I watched him colle ct 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 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.
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