meaning of sentences

Dear teachers,
Recently, I have read an article from Reader's Digest. Due to my poor understanding of English, I hope someone can explain to me about the following sentences.
I am confused about "Dad was just, well, there. More imposing than furniture, but almost as silent".
The above sentences come from the second paragraph of the article:
"I remember the exact moment my father became my mother. It was on the telephone, about a year after Mum died.
When Mum was dying of cancer, we all worried about how losing her would mean losing our whole family. She held us all together. Dad was just, well, there. More imposing than furniture, but almost as silent."
I can’t understand the meaning of the last two sentences.
Thanks!
apple

[RonBee]

Re:

When Mum was dying of cancer, we all worried about how losing her would mean losing our whole family. She held us all together. Dad was just, well, there. More imposing than furniture, but almost as silent."

My interpretation:

"Dad" was pretty quiet. Much of the time he was hardly noticed.

8)

[Tdol]

I'd say Dad was quiet and at a bit of a loss- as if he'd lost his ability to participate much in the family life, like a ghostly presence. :D