The family of an American firefighter decided to commemorate their father鈥檚 life with one last laugh by penning an obituary riddled with jokes, including jabs at the looming U.S. election, his ex-girlfriends and his odd affinity for 鈥減otted meat.鈥�
In a brief published in New Orleans newspaper The Times-Picayune, William Ziegler鈥檚 life was recounted with cheeky flare.
鈥淲illiam Ziegler escaped this mortal realm on Friday, July 29, 2016 at the age of 69. We think he did it on purpose to avoid having to make a decision in the pending presidential election,鈥� the obituary begins.
鈥淗e leaves behind four children, five grand-children, and the potted meat industry, for which he was an unofficial spokesman until dietary restrictions forced him to eat real food.鈥�
The obituary was published earlier in August and has since gained plenty of attention online, including mentions in several international publications.
It goes on to highlight aspects of Ziegler鈥檚 life. At 17, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy and 鈥渋mmediately realized he didn鈥檛 much enjoy being bossed around,鈥� the obit says. 鈥淗e only stuck it out for one war.鈥�
His decision to become a firefighter wasn鈥檛 exactly his own bidding, according to the piece.
鈥淯pon his return to the City of New Orleans in 1971, thinking it best to keep an eye on him, government officials hired William as a fireman,鈥� the obit reads.
As for Ziegler鈥檚 co-workers, the obituary says that 鈥淲illiam stated that there was no better group of morons 鈥� than those he had the privilege of serving with (except Bob, he never liked you, Bob.)鈥�
In lieu of a funeral service, the obituary asks well-wishers to 鈥渨rite a note of farewell on a Schaefer Light beer can and drink it in his honour.鈥� For any friends whom Ziegler may owe an outstanding beer: 鈥淚f you can find him in Heaven, he will gladly allow you to buy him another.鈥�
Despite the joking attitude, the obituary ends on a lighter note 鈥� after landing one final punchline.
鈥淯nlike previous times, this is not a ploy to avoid creditors or old girlfriends. He assures us that he is gone. He will be greatly missed.鈥�
