This is a story of two brothers and their raucous retelling of their father’s life on the way to his funeral. There is alcoholism, abuse, exotic dancers, crime, tragedy, love, and persistence with all kinds of things despite incredible obstacles. It’s a testament to survival and to life itself in some of its most extraordinary forms.

REVIEWS:

“A clear and crisp vision of growing up in rural Iowa through the eyes of a young boy  trying to make sense of life in a struggling American family. The rich detail of each  family member jumps off the pages and leaves the reader to reflect on their family  histories."

—Sheila Kelley, Actor, LA Law, Gossip Girls, The Good Doctor, Singles, Nurse Betty Founder/CEO, SFactor.

“Douglas Rife is a born storyteller and this rollicking, hilarious and poignant story of  his family will make you laugh, cry and most of all marvel at his ability to bring his  unique family to life on the page”.

—Donna Hayes, Former CEO of Harlequin  

“The characters leap off the page resurrected by storytelling that has passed through  generations, and one son's hunger to uncover the reasons a family thrives or survives.   As Douglas tumbles back through time, guided by the milestones of his father's family  history, we are along for the ride of one man's lifetime: the hungers, loves, losses,  hopes, and ultimate resilience that drive his motto: to bite down hard on life.”

—Juliet Hart, Director of Education/TimeLine Theatre Company/Chicago, Illinois  

“We Buried Dad In a Leisure Suit is an insight into a whole side of America that many  others will barely know or imagine. This is a book full of memorable characters. The  dad—the Great Santini of the book, incorrigible but ultimately still lovable despite his  immense imperfections. Uncle Ron and his remarkably hardworking but unsuccessful  career as a criminal. His brother’s fire and its aftermath—the “mummy” scene is a  brilliant mixture of pathos and farce. And the mom, blousy, brassy, and feisty. The  exotic dancers—voluptuous Toulouse-la-Trec icons of natural beauty and raunchy  quasi porn-stars combined that bordered between sexual freedom and exploitation.  There is alcoholism, abuse, pornography, exotic dancing, violent crime, tragedy, love,  and persistence with all kinds of things despite incredible obstacles. It’s a testament  to survival and to life itself in some of its most extraordinary forms.”

—Andy Hargreaves, Director of CHENINE at the University of Ottawa in Canada,  and Emeritus Professor at Boston College,  and member of the National Academy of  Education.

by Douglas Rife
Page Count: 274 
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Publish Date: January 7, 2026
Imprint: Sunbury Press
Genre: Humor

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS/Dysfunctional Families
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS/Divorce & Separation
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS/Death, Grief, Bereavement
HUMOR/Topic/Marriage & Family