Gjyshi Kel

Nonna, Siena and Gjyshi April 2010

Last week we received sad news from Tirana.  Gyshi Kel had passed away.  Gyshi lived a long life and saw many things during his time in Albania.   Gyshi was a strong man both physically and in his mind.  He raised his 3 sons (Baba, Axha Sokol and Axha Alfred) to work hard and always stand strong for what they believed in.  Gyshi started working to help support his 7 brothers and sisters when he was only 8 years old.  He was driving a truck thru the streets of Shkodra when he saw Nonna on her bike.  He loved to tell us the story that the moment he saw her he knew she would be his wife.  That is the kind of determination that Gyshi Kel always had.  

Life was not always easy for Gyshi and Nonna.  During the years of communism they both had to work long hours and even wait in line for food to feed the family.  Gyshi always taught his sons that no matter what the most important thing in life was your family.  

In the last few years Gyshi really enjoyed spending his free time with all his grandchildren...Brigitt, Majkel, Lydia, Kevin and Siena.  He always wished that we lived closer but had fun on our visits.  

The Marku Family July 2009

When I was pregnant with Siena he told us that if he met her he would feel like he could end his journey in peace.  Thankfully last spring he was able to meet Siena when she was only 3 months old.  We will always have that trip as a memory and so many stories about Gyshi to share with Siena.