GOOD OLD DAYS & TIMES
OBITUARY PAGE 2
December 2000
In Requiem of a Flyweight
Paschal D’Andrea 1913 – 2000
Everyone in the old neighborhood respected "Little Patty." Even the so-called "tough guys" treated him with dignity, despite his height of only about five feet. Perhaps this was due to his reputation as a class boxer, when he was known in the ring as "Kid Patty." I think it was because of his reputation as a class gentleman.
One lesson he taught me very early on in life was that "you’ve got to roll with the punches." I’ve tried to take this lesson with me into times of adversity since my childhood. He also tried to teach me the evil side of gambling. He told me he never had a dime in his pocket until he stopped betting. Although he entrusted me with his Mercedes Benz on prom night, he wisely refused to lend me $200.00 for a speculative IPO back in 1973. Still, I had to learn this lesson the hard way.
Perhaps the most important lesson bestowed upon me by my godfather was that of discipline and moderation. Ironically, he was eulogized as a man who liked to smoke and drink "every day." But that does not portray an accurate picture of his strength of character. Sure, he liked to smoke and drink. But his grandnieces and grandnephews are unaware of the sacrifices he made to stay in top physical condition. He would abstain from both of these vices, and enforce strict dietary constraints upon himself for months at a time. He could do more pushups at age 80 then most 20 year olds today.
I may not have been smart enough to catch all of my uncle’s wisdom the first time around. But I’m now ready to take the steps necessary to stay at the top of my game both physically and professionally.
Pax Requiem
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Anthony Bove
2000
Bove was an athlete with fire in his spirit. He seemed to enjoy the mere act
of physical exertion as much as I do. While I respected and sometimes matched
his effort on the court, I was no match for his talent and ability. Nonetheless,
he was the only one I could count on to always pass me the ball. He didn’t
seem to mind when I missed the lay-ups because he knew I was putting forth my
best effort.
I’d like to take some of Bove’s spirit with me. Perhaps with a little
more fire I can make more of my lay-ups, and some of the hard shots life has to
offer.
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Gladstone Adams
1948-2000
I thought I knew everything there was to know about Central Park until I had
the pleasure of being guided around the 6 mile loop by Gladstone. He knew every
turn and hill. Some say he could even smell water. He was a runner with perfect
stride. He moved with the speed and fluidity of an elite Kenyan, but he was
always gracious enough to slow down to his accompanist's pace. No one was
surprised by the police report description of him as a "35 year old
male" when he was close to 53. I will remember him as a role model and an
inspiration. One thing I forgot to mention: Gladstone was totally blind.
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Trooper T. Michael Kelly
1950-2000
Mike Kelly was a legendary runner on the trails of the Catskills. Moreover,
the impact he had on his community was apparent from all the nice things
everyone said about him after his demise in a tragic highway accident. Since
then I’ve undergone a complete turnaround in my attitude toward law
enforcement officers. I no longer look in my rear view mirror with fear and
disdain. Instead, I keep my speed reasonable, and wave and smile to the officers
that pass me on the thruway. I have a new respect for what they are up against,
and a new appreciation for the jobs they do.
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