Father’s Day can be spent in many ways for Keys dads. Perhaps it’s a day on the boat and some fishing with family, ending with a fresh catch for dinner. For others, it could be a day on the recliner with an ice-cold beer as they watch the best golfers in the U.S. Open. Regardless of the scheduled plans, for dads, it’s a day to reminisce, feel proud and maybe boss your children around a little more. In advance of Father’s Day, the Keys Weekly spoke to rad dads on the fond memories, the moments that made them laugh, and, of course, their go-to dad jokes.
Alexis LaMadrid
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? Being with my wife in the room when my two daughters were born was the greatest experience ever. Also without a son, my daughters stepped right into my world and shared every one of my passions. I taught them how to swim, ride a bike, drive and defend themselves. They were always by my side — whether we were shooting at the range, checking out car shows or watching boxing matches together.
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done? Once, when my youngest daughter was in first grade she got a C on a test. When we asked her about it she said “But it’s not that bad, they have D and F after C.”
Best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received? Years ago on Father’s Day, they gave me a little Oscar statue with the inscription “WORLD’S GREATEST PAPI.” I still have it on my night table.
Ben Kemmer
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time? One thing I swore I’d never do was continually clean up after my adult children. Yet somehow, I still find myself picking up after them, helping solve little problems, and stepping in more often than I said I would. I guess being a parent doesn’t stop when they grow up.
What’s your go-to dad joke? My go-to dad joke is when one of my kids says they’re sick. I tell them, “I think you’ve got a bad case of fakeritis!” As a dad, I’ve diagnosed that condition more times than I can count.
Best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received? The best Father’s Day gift I’ve ever received was a Dallas Cowboys blanket with pictures of my two dogs on it. It was absolutely hilarious and completely unexpected. It combined my love for the Cowboys and my dogs.
Collin Dickerson
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad
The first time hearing my son say “dada.”
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time?
Cave in and give my kids what they ask for after I say no.
What’s your go-to dad joke?
What kind of shoes does a frog use? Open toad shoes.
Dan Leben
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? Without a doubt seeing them all thrive on their own. Raising boys on the ocean has been the best decision my wife and I ever made. A simple example is having a hat blow off while on a boat running fast, sitting back, just watching them divide the tasks and work together to retrieve the hat efficiently and safely.
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time? Being comfortable swimming alongside sharks and barracudas with my children.
What’s your go-to dad joke? Why did Tigger have his head in the toilet? He was looking for Pooh.
Darnell Durham
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? My favorite memory is coming home from work and seeing my kids excited to see me, giving me hugs at the same time.
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time? I swore I would stop paying my kids’ bills at 18, but I find myself paying their bills even though they have good jobs.
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done? Coming home and my son trying to wear my uniform.
Darren Pais
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? My absolute favorite memory of being a dad was watching my son perform his senior jazz guitar recital at Florida International University. As I sat in the audience, I wasn’t just watching a talented young musician perform. I was seeing years of hard work, dedication and growth come together in one unforgettable moment. Every note seemed to carry a memory … from his first lessons and countless hours of practice to the performances, challenges and milestones that helped shape him into the young man he is today.
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time? Before becoming a dad, I was convinced I would always have the energy. No matter how long the day had been, I imagined I’d be ready to play catch, help with homework, listen to stories, or tackle whatever adventure he had planned. Then reality arrived.
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done? When my son was little, he couldn’t decide between two Batman prizes he earned from doing his chores. My wife told him to “sleep on it,” so he put both prizes under his pillow before bed. That’s when we realized he took instructions very literally.
Darryn Bahn
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad?
The first time she reached for me when her mom was holding her, it took her a while to want anybody but her mom.
What’s your go-to dad joke? Why aren’t koalas considered bears? They don’t meet the “koalafications.”
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done? When she was around 10 months old she learned to say “ewww” whenever anybody said “Stinky,” so I often call her mom stinky and she would follow it with “Ewwww!” It never fails to make me laugh.
David Lazcos
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time? I swore I’d never become the parent who repeats themselves over and over. Now I find myself saying the same thing three, four or five times and wondering if my parents felt the exact same way.
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done? When my oldest son was about 3 years old, we were at a party at Founders Park and in the middle of all the festivities he suddenly dropped his trousers and did his business right on the grass. We were in the middle of potty training, so while I was completely embarrassed, I couldn’t really be mad. From his perspective, he had done exactly what we had been teaching him to do, he just skipped the part about finding a bathroom first. Looking back now, it’s one of those parenting moments that still makes our family laugh.
Best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received? The best gifts have never been the expensive ones. The handmade cards, drawings and little notes from my boys mean the most because they capture exactly who they are at that moment in their lives. Those are the gifts I’ll keep forever.
Ed Pineiro
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? The day he was born and watching him grow and learn, always adding more memories.
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done? When he mimics me. It’s so funny to see him try to act and talk like me.
Best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received? A T-shirt Jude made in school for me; he had the biggest smile on while giving it to me. He was so proud of decorating it for me. I’ll never forget that.
James Cordell
Best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received? Waking up on my very first Father’s Day to my daughter holding a positive pregnancy test. That was how I found out we were having our second child.
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time? I always said I would never let my kids sleep in our bed. We did not completely go against that, but we bought my 1.5-year-old daughter a full-size bed so we could lay with her while she fell asleep. Somehow, that turned into me regularly sleeping there all night.
What is the most important lesson you hope your children learn from you? I hope they inherit my sense of adventure, curiosity and desire to learn. If they stay curious and are willing to step outside their comfort zone, life will always be full of new discoveries.
Joe McDevitt
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? Christmas time with my girls. Also, teaching them how to play sports, ride bikes and how to drive a car.
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time? Asking where they are going and with who and don’t stay out too late!
What is the most important lesson you hope your children learn from you? Go after your dreams even if it seems impossible. Be patient, work hard and nothing ever comes easy in life. Keep your word and always know God is with you.
Marc Serota
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? My favorite memory of being a father is looking into the eyes of both of my children, moments after they were born and saying ‘I love you’ for the first time.
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time? I always swore I would not spoil my kids, but that went out the window real fast.
What’s your go-to dad joke? What do you call a man with a rubber foot? Ruberto.
Pete Fines
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? The first time I heard my son say that I was his best friend in the whole world at age 3 or 4. Toys R Us got a lot of business from me!
What’s your go-to dad joke? It’s been fun — it’s been swell — swelling’s gone down now. Or, I’m reading a book on gravity but I can’t put it down.
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done? I coached soccer for 15 years and my son played goalie when he was little. We had a really good match when he was about 7 years old and it came down to penalty kicks and he stopped every kick and we won. I told him, “Wow, buddy you were amazing stopping all those kicks today.” What did he say? “Dad, they are all little kids like me — it wasn’t that hard!”
Ryan Lachowicz
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad?
So far, it’s all of life’s “Firsts.”
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time?
I always said I was going to be tough on my kid, but we all know that is not true …
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done?
“It’s ok, I am just over here making a mess!”
Rob Stober
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? One of my favorite memories is the time the kids were going wakeboarding with their friends. I helped them get the boat ready, but when it was time to go, they said: “Dad, c’mon, you have to come with us! It will be fun!” And it was, even though they are much better at wakeboarding! In hindsight, they had great fun posting videos of my ineptitude. So, my next favorite memory is…
What’s one thing you swore you’d never do as a parent that you now do all the time? Swear.
What’s your go-to dad joke? What does one balloon say to another balloon? Hint: it is not “my pop is bigger than your pop.” Answer: “Nothing balloons don’t talk.”
Salvador Barrios
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? Watching my three sons grow up and eventually getting to work alongside them in the family business.
What is the most important lesson you hope your children learn from you? Work hard, be honest and treat people with respect.
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done? One time the boys were helping work on an old truck that we rebuilt and were so convinced they knew what they were doing. A few hours later, they had more parts left over than when they started.
Spenser Bryan
What is your absolute favorite memory of being a dad? My favorite memory is taking the kids to my parents’ farm. The kids love playing with all the animals and being outside all day.
What’s your go-to dad joke? Why did the picture go to jail? Because it was framed. (It’s not just a dad joke but a little cop humor too).
Best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received? Last year I actually got to take a nap! That was a nice 20 minutes.
Victor Figueroa
What is the most important lesson you hope your children learn from you? Be a good human. Treat people with kindness.
What’s the funniest thing your child has ever said or done? For the Fourth of July one year they asked the kids at summer camp to paint the flag and Dominic painted the PR flag. (Proud poppa)
Best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever received? My very first Father’s Day card when I had Dominic. That meant so much to me.
