My dad passed away....huge sports fan.
Onlypsahockey
Posts: 1,479 ✭✭
Hi guys. Its with a heavy heart that I write this thread. My dad passed away a week ago today and this is the first chance I've had to pay tribute to him. He was argueably the biggest sports fan in Massachusetts. His love for all sports, especially hockey has instilled in me a love for sports and collecting which is a major part of my life.
My dad collected cards as a kid. Baseball. His mom tossed them all when he was drafted into the US Navy after high school. WWII ended and my dad was discharged. He returned home to the sad reality that his rather large card collection had been thrown out. The worst part of this is my dad was also one of the greatest pack rats I've ever known. He definitely would have kept his collection.
When the Korean conflict started my Dad was drafted into the army. He served proudly until the war ended.
Between his military stints my dad worked as a stick boy for the Boston Olympics. They were the ECAHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins. I have spent many years collecting Olympics memorabilia just trying to find a photo or magazine with my dad in it. My dad often skated at practice with the Pics including Hall of Famers Ferny Flaman and Allan Stanley. My dad was offered the job as stick boy for the Bruins but his mom would not allow him to travel with the team and the job was given to someone who could travel.
After working various odd jobs around our home town my Dad landed the job he had wanted and spent 43 years carrying mail for the USPS. He was often up for promotion but always turned it down for he felt the PO bosses were too hard on the carriers and didn't want to sell out for a few bucks.
During the late sixties and early seventies my dad had season tix to the Bruins. Front row balconey right behind the Bruins net (1st & 3rd periods). The Bruins were the hottest team in town as Bobby Orr had taken the hockey world by storm and Boston was in a Bruins frenzy. Even though my dad could have sold his tix for tons of cash he always took us to the games. Even the playoffs when the B's won two cups. In 1973 his good friend Bep Guidlon was coach and my dad would often take us to the locker room after the games. My dad had know Bep since they were 16 year olds through softball competitions. Bep actually had come to my dads hometown for a few summers to play with my dads team and they became great friends. I think it was in '73 that Bep was at our home for Thanksgiving dinner. He brought a rubber chicken that someone had thrown on the Garden ice. Sadly when Bep heard of my dads illness he called the house the day after my dad had slipped into a coma.
After my dad retired he became an associate at Sportsworld in Everett, Ma. For those of you unfamiliar with Sportsworld they are argueably the largest sports memorabilia shoppe in North America. Maybe Burbank or AJ's now but Sportsworld was definitely the first of the big boys. Sportsworld is owned by my great friend Phil Castinetti. About two years into my dads association with Sportsworld Phil's dad Chet passed away. Chet was a great man like my dad. I called Phil one day and asked him at the end of the call to take good care of my dad. Phil's reply was "He's my dad now too!" Since that time I've thought of Phil as my 3rd brother and my dad definitely thought of him as a fourth son.
About two weeks before Christmas Phil was on the phone with Terry O'Reilly. He told Terry about my dads illness and Terry immediately asked for my dads phone number. He called my dad on two or three occaisions and then showed up at Phils shop one day wanting to visit my dad. (See pic below) My dad also received phone calls from Canada from Jerry Toppazzini and other past Bruins stars.
I wanted to share this story with the board because we often here of the bad things that sports figures and memorabilia dealers are involved in. I wanted this story to be heard because what Terry O'Reilly and Phil Castinetti did for my dad was truely amazing. It meant the world to my dad and the entire family that Terry came by to see him. The joy that Phil brought to my dad over the last 10 years is unmeasureable. There are 125 polaroid pics of my dad with sports celebrities in my dads home which were all taken at autograph signings held by Phil. The joy on my dad's face in each and every pic is amazing. He had the time of his life at those events and my family has these tremendously joyous photos to remember my dad by forever.
Mr. O'Reilly was in Canada over the weekend and flew back to Boston on Monday which was the day of my dads funeral. He called Phil as soon as he landed to see how my dad was doing. Phil informed him of my dads passing and said he was at the reception. Terry said "I'm on the way!" Mr. O'Reilly came straight to the reception from the airport to be with us and to convey his condolences in person. Incredible!
I'm sorry for the long read but I felt my friends here on the boards should know of the passing of a great man and the truely heart warming actions of Phil Castinetti and Terry O'Reilly.
Terry O'Reilly, Dan Cafazzo, Phil Castinetti at Dan's home just before Christmas.
Edited to add images.
57 Topps (83%) 7.61
61 Topps (100%) 7.96
62 Parkhurst (100%) 8.70
63 Topps (100%) 7.96
63 York WB's (50%) 8.52
68 Topps (39%) 8.54
69 Topps (3%) 9.00
69 OPC (83%) 8.21
71 Topps (100%) 9.21 #1 A.T.F.
72 Topps (100%) 9.39
73 Topps (13%) 9.35
74 OPC WHA (95%) 8.57
75 Topps (50%) 9.23
77 OPC WHA (86%) 8.62 #1 A.T.F.
88 Topps (5%) 10.00
61 Topps (100%) 7.96
62 Parkhurst (100%) 8.70
63 Topps (100%) 7.96
63 York WB's (50%) 8.52
68 Topps (39%) 8.54
69 Topps (3%) 9.00
69 OPC (83%) 8.21
71 Topps (100%) 9.21 #1 A.T.F.
72 Topps (100%) 9.39
73 Topps (13%) 9.35
74 OPC WHA (95%) 8.57
75 Topps (50%) 9.23
77 OPC WHA (86%) 8.62 #1 A.T.F.
88 Topps (5%) 10.00
0
Comments
Forget blocking him; find out where he lives and go punch him in the nuts. --WalterSobchak 9/12/12
Looking for Al Hrabosky and any OPC Dave Campbells (the ESPN guy)
appears Mr. O'Reilly hasn't aged much.
BTW: Cubby=Cub Fan
Steve
Scott
Touching story. My heart goes out to your family.
-t
------- 1960 Topps Baseball PSA 8+
------- 1985 Topps Hockey PSA 9+
My condolences, looks like you have lots of great collecting and sports related memories to cherish.
Peace
Doug
45% complete.
Ed
I'm saddened to hear of the loss of your father, Danny.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones during this difficult time of loss.
And last, I feel privileged that you've shared something so personal with us.
Your friend
mike
Beautiful post and beautiful tribute to your Dad, thank you for sharing something so personal with us all.
Take care and God Bless you and your family.
Joe
Sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Rob ( robstar )
I'm sorry to hear of your dad's passing and I am honored that you wanted to share these memories here with us, your friends.
Take care buddy.
Jordan
My Auctions
He sounds like a great guy and he was at that.....he was a Bruins fan!
time here on earth passes by too fast..
I'm so sorry to hear about your father.
You and your family are in my prayers.
Keep your chin up, time heals all wounds, and chicks dig scars (
Hang in there, bro
Very sorry to hear about your father. God bless to you and your family.
David
GO MARLINS! Home of the best fans in baseball!!
BTW Sportsworld was a great store I have visited many times, I miss those days.
ON ITS WAY TO NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
I'm really sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. It's obvious by your great tribute that he meant the world to your family.
My condolences,
Dave
Now collecting:
Topps Heritage
1957 Topps BB Ex+-NM
All Yaz Items 7+
Various Red Sox
Did I leave anything out?
Matt
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
Jim
Ripken, Brooks & Frank Robinson, Old Orioles, Sweet Spot Autos, older Redskins - Riggins, Sonny, Baugh etc and anything that catches my eye.
My ghetto sportscard webpage...All Scans - No Lists!!! Stinky Linky
Seeking primarily PSA graded pre-war "type" cards
My PSA Registry Sets
34 Goudey, 75 Topps Mini, Hall of Fame Complete Set, 1985 Topps Tiffany, Hall of Fame Players Complete Set
Some dads just don't get it.
To his credit he did drive me to a lot of A's and Seals games which helped fuel my love of those sports, and for that I am very thankful.
And oh yeah, he was a letter carrier too and proud of it.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
AJ
Sincerest condolences.
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* C. PASCUAL BASIC #3
* T. PEREZ BASIC #4 100%
* L. TIANT BASIC #1
* DRYSDALE BASIC #4 100%
* MAGIC MASTER #4/BASIC #3
* PALMEIRO MASTER/BASIC #1
* '65 DISNEYLAND #2
* '78 ELVIS PRESLEY #6
* '78 THREE'S COMPANY #1
WaltDisneyBoards
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thanks for sharing about this great man... he clearly thought of all of us when he served to protect our freedom and when done serving our USPS. More people should have a resume' this great!
GOD BLESS!!!!
James
Go Phillies
Two things I'd like everyone to take from this thread if I may be so bold.
1.) Go hug someone you love and tell them how dear they are to you.
2.) Find the good in people (as my dad always did). You'll be rewarded many times over as my family has this last week.
Okay...too sentimental! Sorry!...but really, thank you guys! You're the best.
Bob C.
61 Topps (100%) 7.96
62 Parkhurst (100%) 8.70
63 Topps (100%) 7.96
63 York WB's (50%) 8.52
68 Topps (39%) 8.54
69 Topps (3%) 9.00
69 OPC (83%) 8.21
71 Topps (100%) 9.21 #1 A.T.F.
72 Topps (100%) 9.39
73 Topps (13%) 9.35
74 OPC WHA (95%) 8.57
75 Topps (50%) 9.23
77 OPC WHA (86%) 8.62 #1 A.T.F.
88 Topps (5%) 10.00
I don't know you Bob, but please accept my sincere and heart felt condolences. With the type of family love that oozes from your writings I am sure that sooner then later the mourning for your father will turn into celebrating his life through stories, pictures, and most of all ..... great memories!
Dan
ISO 1978 Topps Baseball in NM-MT High Grade Raw 3, 100, 103, 302, 347, 376, 416, 466, 481, 487, 509, 534, 540, 554, 579, 580, 622, 642, 673, 724__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ISO 1978 O-Pee-Chee in NM-MT High Grade Raw12, 21, 29, 38, 49, 65, 69, 73, 74, 81, 95, 100, 104, 110, 115, 122, 132, 133, 135, 140, 142, 151, 153, 155, 160, 161, 167, 168, 172, 179, 181, 196, 200, 204, 210, 224, 231, 240
As my dad (age 74) just went through heart surgery prior to Christmas, my gift was i didn't have to write a letter like this for now. We are losing great Vets like this by the 100's daily as we get further away from WW II. I consider myself a WW II buff and have great admiration for those that fought in it. May the Lord watch over you and your family.
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, thank a soldier!!
<< <i>1.) Go hug someone you love and tell them how dear they are to you.
2.) Find the good in people (as my dad always did). You'll be rewarded many times over as my family has this last week. >>
Bob, this is great advice. My Mom passed away back in '84 at age 52 (younger than I am now). I had no regrets because she knew how much I loved her. Being nice to people is second nature to my four brothers and myself thanks to the solid upbringing and strong family relationships we had in southern Minnesota.
Healing thoughts are being sent your way...
<< <i>Thank you guys for letting me post my tribute here. I wasn't sure if this was the right place for it. The thirty some odd posts sending condolences to my family has not only lifted our spirits a bit but has also reaffirmed my thoughts that you guys are like an extended family. This board is loaded with class and very nice people. The members here are head and shoulders above any other sports board IMHO. From my family to everyone here I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude for your kind words. This was obviously the right place for my dads tribute.
Two things I'd like everyone to take from this thread if I may be so bold.
1.) Go hug someone you love and tell them how dear they are to you.
2.) Find the good in people (as my dad always did). You'll be rewarded many times over as my family has this last week.
Okay...too sentimental! Sorry!...but really, thank you guys! You're the best.
Bob C. >>
Bob
That's the best advice one can give another individual.
My dad's been gone since 1979 and I still miss him!
I never let my wife leave the house without me reaffirming to her that I love her.
All my best
mike
<< <i>That's the best advice one can give another individual.
My dad's been gone since 1979 and I still miss him!
I never let my wife leave the house without me reaffirming to her that I love her.
All my best
mike >>
Mike I do the same with my wife, as young as our marriage is.
My dad is a mere 62 and he is fading from us, fast. He has Parkinson's disease and it really has gotten the better of him. It was first his motor skills that weren't as sharp. Then his walk started to show a little drag. Now, 3 years later his memory is being affected. Thank God it's only the short term memory, as he loves to talk about the old days.
I see him weekly, but I think I am going to make an effort to see him more. And just the 2 of us. My mom rags on him too much about the chit he doesn't remember, and it really bothers me. Calls him an idiot and stuff when he forgets things that he was supposed to do, more than you and I would forget as we men, seem to do that a lot. She's a good woman, but just frustrated with the changes that have come about and is kind of in denial. I don't think he'll be leaving soon, but he is less of the man I know as days go by. It's a "slow progression" as they say, but over the last 3 years it prgressed a lot faster than I thought it would.
My sister is due with the first grandchild for them and they are going to have the cord sent to AZ to be frozen in case stem cell research is legalized and then leads to a cure for Parkinson's. I think it's a nice gesture, but I don't know how quickly either the government legalizing or medical research will find a cure.
Sorry for the long winded reply, but everyone should make the most of the time you have with your loved ones. If your sorry about things after their gone, it's too late. Make the effort now, I intend to.
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Thank you for sharing with us, your tribute to your father. It sounds like he was truly a wonderful person. I can only hope that the tribute I present for my parents when they pass is half as nice as the one you've given to your father. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
only embryonic stem cell research is not federally funded in the USA. Adult stem cells are still funded by the government. Umbilical cord derived stem cells are also funded since no potential life is harmed. Right now, universities in many countries are conducting experimental procedures on patients for those who want to try something new to see if they can combat Parkinson's. I have heard of MS patients have success by participating in such innovative procedures using adult stem cells derived from one's own body (thus, no tissue rejection issue). Look into it, there maybe some real hope for your father.
Bob,
Thank you for sharing something so personal. I am sure your father would have been flattered with the tribute you so caringly put together.
It sounded like you had a good healthy relationship with him and not many of us in the world can say that about our own as one poster already stated.
My grandfather was also a WWII vet and he passed away 3 years ago. I still miss him and still have tons of questions I wanted to ask him... what is one suppose to do? I had a great relationship with him and all I have of him are a few of his personal belongings and great memories.
BST: Tennessebanker, Downtown1974, LarkinCollector, nendee
If you need anyone to talk to - you know that the others in this forum are there for you. They are a great bunch and as a newcomer I can still feel their concerns.
My dad was 59 - and he went about 50 years too early. I was just glad that he found out my wife was pregnant before he passed - and there are many a nights that I wonder just what he'd say or how he'd play with my daughter - which is his first grandchild.
Again, I am very sorry about the news.
I just read this, I'm very sorry for your loss. Your dad sounded like the kind of dad every son or daughter would love to have had. Just a fine person. The memories will last forever.
Take care buddy,
Rich