Sometimes peoples influence on us at the different stages of life make more of an impact than we know. Now that you are gone, I wanted more than ever, to see you before it was too late, unfortunately I missed that opportunity after recently learning of your illness.
"Tony" is how he was known to most, he was my father figure growing up. Tony taught me how to become a man, and have a great sense of humor. Hockey, baseball, hunting, racquetball, squash, football, work ethic and fast cars......he showed me it all. I felt so lucky to have him in my life when I did. I have told many stories till this day of Tony's famed successes in the sporting arena and how he taught me everything I know. Tony was a fierce competitor, a great coach and one of the best father figures a child could have. My siblings and I were quite the handful at this stage of our life and or mother really stepped up to the plate being a single parent, and this man, more than anything wanted to share his life experiences with us. I felt enamored, being the eldest of my siblings I soaked up the opportunity and followed Tony like a lost puppy through life while I could, watching and listening to his every move.
Mom and I reminisced the other day how Tony remembered, till this day, my walking off the baseball field at the ripe old age of 12 years old because it was too hot to play! Yup, I did this, I wasn’t proud of it, but I did it. The “team player” in me was gone for this moment, I remember I felt so bad and I knew Tony was deeply disappointed I let both him and my team down. It wasn’t the right thing to do that was for sure; Funny thing though, I still don’t like the heat, I never have. But here’s to you Tony for teaching me a valuable lesson in life. I thank you. It was one of the many you gave me that I still use today.
If I only realized the impact Tony had on me, I think our lives would have been much different, at least to the point we would have spent more time together, however brief it may have been. It’s important to me I let everyone know how big Tony’s heart was, that he was loved and…. well, he was my idol, he was the man I looked up to in life and he didn’t even know it.
I thank you Tony for everything you gave me, you were a HUGE influence and I appreciate this more than anybody. I wish you a safe journey my friend. Rest in peace, you will NEVER be forgotten and you will ALWAYS be missed.
