For years, every Sunday morning I’d flip open the local paper, breeze through the sports and entertainment sections and then I’d wrap up by reading the obituaries. Yeah, the obituaries. I know, it sounds a little morbid. Maybe it is. But there’s something about reading those final summaries of a life—especially a father’s life—that hits you in the gut and reminds you that your time on this earth is short-lived, no matter how long you actually live. 

Obituaries aren’t just names and dates; they’re stories of love, legacy, and the kind of men who left the world better than they found it. Over the years, I noticed patterns in the obituaries of dads who lived well—not just long, but full, rich, meaningful lives. These guys weren’t perfect, but they were present. They built something. They mattered.

Here are the seven traits I see most often in fathers whose obituaries tell the story of a life well-lived:

1. A Sincere Dedication to Family

Most obituaries are polite and predictable: “He leaves behind a loving wife, three kids, seven grandkids, and a dog named Rusty.” That’s nice, but it’s generic. The best obituaries, the ones that make you pause mid-sip of coffee, get specific. They paint a picture of a dad who wasn’t just there but was unforgettable. “He taught his grandkids how to bait a hook, play a mean game of chess, and appreciate the raw genius of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar riffs.”

 Or, “He never missed a Saturday morning pancake breakfast with his daughters, even when work was crazy.” These details stick. They’re the moments that echo through generations. A great dad doesn’t just show up; he creates memories that outlive him.

2. A Dedication to Physical Activity

I can’t help but grin when I stumble across a random athletic feat buried in an obituary. “Club racquetball champion in Albany, NY, 1994.” “Won the state shot put title in 1969.” “Set the 5K record for the 75+ age group at the local Turkey Trot.” 

These guys didn’t just sit on the couch; they moved. They competed. They stayed in the game, whether it was a weekend softball league or a daily walk that turned into a half-marathon at 70. Staying active isn’t just about health (though that’s huge); it’s about staying interesting. It’s about having stories to tell and the energy to keep up with your kids—and later, your grandkids. Lift a weight, run a race, or at least chase the dog around the yard. It all counts.

3. A Dedication to Reinvention

The longest obituaries—the ones that spill over into a second column—belong to men who didn’t stay in one lane. Their lives read like adventure novels, with plot twists every decade or so. Military service in their 20s. A stint as a salesman in their 30s. Started a small business at 40. Bought a chunk of land at 50. Taught high school history at 60. Opened a quirky antique store just for the hell of it at 70. 

These dads weren’t afraid to shift gears, to try something new, to fail and start over. Reinvention takes guts, and it’s a hallmark of a life lived boldly. You don’t have to change careers every 10 years, but you do have to stay open to new chapters. That’s how you keep growing.

4. A Dedication to Generosity

Short obituaries stick to the basics: family, job, maybe a hobby or two. But the long ones? They’re packed with stories of giving. These dads volunteered at the local food bank, mentored kids who weren’t their own, or quietly donated to causes they believed in. One obituary I read mentioned a guy who spent every Saturday coaching Little League, even after his own sons were grown. Another talked about a dad who funded scholarships for trade school students because he’d been a welder himself. Generosity isn’t always about money; it’s about time, attention, and heart. These men made their corner of the world a little brighter, and their obituaries reflect that.

5. A Dedication to Lifelong Learning

The meatiest obituaries always have a line about learning. “He was never without a book in his hand.” “He built a personal library that rivaled the town’s.” “He learned to play the piano at 60, sculpt at 65, and restore vintage cars in his 70s.” These dads didn’t let their minds stagnate. They were curious, always chasing the next skill, the next story, the next big idea. 

I read about one guy who took up astronomy in retirement and spent his nights teaching his grandkids about the constellations and planets and found a way to name a star after them. Lifelong learning isn’t just about staying sharp; it’s about staying alive. It’s about showing your kids that growth doesn’t stop when you hit a certain age. Pick up a book. Take a class. Learn something new. It’s never too late.

6. A Dedication to Work (But Not a “Job”)

Here’s a pattern I’ve noticed: the men with the longest-lived obituaries rarely “retired” in the traditional sense. Sure, they might have stepped back from the 9-to-5 grind or sold their company, but they never stopped working. They wrote books. They taught classes. They mentored young entrepreneurs. They built furniture in their garage or tended a community garden. 

Work, for these dads, wasn’t just a paycheck; it was purpose. It was a way to stay engaged, to contribute, to create. One obituary described a guy who, at 85, was still giving talks at the local historical society about World War II. That’s the kind of dad I want to be—still in the game, still making a dent, no matter how small.

7. A Dedication to Humor

This one’s my favorite, the cherry on top of a well-lived life. You don’t have to be funny to be an incredible dad, but man, it helps. The best obituaries always sneak in a line about laughter: “Nobody made the grandkids giggle harder.” “He was always ready with a hilarious story, usually involving a fishing trip gone wrong.” “His bad puns were legendary at family dinners.” 

Humor is glue; it binds people together. It lightens the heavy moments and makes the good ones unforgettable. I read about one dad whose obituary mentioned his annual April Fools’ Day pranks, which his kids still talk about decades later. That’s the good stuff—leaving behind a legacy of joy and a few embarrassing dad jokes.

Some Final Thoughts

There are plenty of other traits that make a father’s life extraordinary—resilience, faith, creativity, you name it. But these seven? They’re the ones that keep showing up, week after week, in the stories of men who lived with purpose and left a mark. 

They’re a quick reminder to live intentionally. To be the kind of dad whose story takes up a little extra ink when the time comes. Here’s to fishing lessons, club racquetball records, brilliant bad puns, and a life well-lived.

You can follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIN.

Subscribe to Midlife Male, the fastest growing lifestyle brand for men 40+ today and get your free Midlife Action Plan, created by Greg Scheinman after 200+ interviews with high-performers. You’ll receive our Sunday flagship issue in your inbox free, featuring weekly new interviews with A-Listers, original columns and personally curated recommendations. Join here: https://midlifemale.beehiiv.com/