GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- An elderly Grand Rapids man has finally met his son.
The man had tried having kids all his life, but thought it was a life goal he never accomplished.
"He's my full son that I've had my whole life, but why my wife hid that letter is beyond me."A letter was sent by the child's mother more than 50 years ago that told him of his then 5-year-old son. That man is now 61-years-old.
It was a message believed to have been hidden by his wife for decades.
Tony Trapani, 81, said that after his wife passed away, he was cleaning out one of her old filing cabinets when he came across the letter.
Father and son only met for the first time Sunday, and Trapani said he feels like a new dad.
Samuel Childress was finally able to meet his father for the first time.
"I always asked my mom, I said, 'Well what does he look like?' She said, 'Well, go look in the mirror.'"
The letter sent by Samuel's mother back in 1959 is postage stamped on that date.
"I have a little boy," it reads. "He is five years old now. What I'm trying to say Tony is he is your son. He was born November 13th, 1953."
Childress said that his mother told him that she had sent the letter, but figured his father was ignoring him.
Trapani claims that his wife at the time intercepted the letter and hid it in a filing cabinet for decades while the couple couldn't conceive a child on their own.
"Why my wife didn't tell me," said Trapani. "I don't know. She wanted children. She couldn't have any. She tried and tried."
"He's my full son that I've had my whole life, but why my wife hid that letter is beyond me."
Childress said that while growing up, it was his understanding that his father got the letter, but didn't want anything to do with him. He grew up in Pennsylvania, and meeting his father was just a distant thought.
"Just to know him now is so important to me. It's going to fill that void," he said.
Father and son are now catching up on a lifetime of memories, making the most out of the time they have left, knowing they can't go back in time or dwell on the secret that kept them apart for so long.
The family is also planning to have a paternity test done just to be 100 percent sure.
muddyg
Why do they need a paternity test? They both wanted a child and parent. There is a definite family resemblance. Obviously there is no money to inherit, otherwise they’d pay for this themselves. Why should anyone else pay for their paternity test?
Shane
Well Muddyg its a donation people can make if they have a kind heart and want to help. Unlike you who want to criticize an uplifting story and don’t want to help anyone. I mean seriously man why even comment at all if you have nothing constructive to offer other than your own selfish viewpoint? You could of just said I’m happy for the both of you.
William
Is the father of sound mind at 81? He sure doesn’t look like it. There has to be a little more to the story. But, then again, it really isn’t a story if all the facts are presented. Nice poorly written article. Who is the editor there?
Level Headed
I fail to see what the man’s mental state has to do with anything. All of the parties involved seem to agree that the letter existed and was hidden. It is time for this son to gain his rightful inheritance (as his mother sadly probably provided for him alone his entire life). It is nice to see that even in his advanced years, Mr. Trapani will be able to fulfill his responsibilities of fatherhood. As for arguing over a paternity test, let’s leave that business for Maury.
Bobbi
Ummmm, since the father found the letter and, presumably, decided to find the son, I can’t see how this is any kind of desire for money on the part of the son. I can totally see a woman hiding this from her husband, especially since it seems she was unable to conceive. It was wrong, but I could see it happening.
I’m happy for them. A lot of questions will be answered for the son and the man now has some time with his son. Win-win!
Teresa
When are the results of the DNA test going to be in?
Jeanette
Heartbreaking.
David
Dear Fox 17 Anchors & Producers,
“Hidded” is not an English word. His wife may have hidden the letter, but she could not have hidded it. Just thought you might want to know this so you don’t embarrass yourselves in the future.
Best Regards,
David