- Joined
- Jan 6, 2008
- Messages
- 6,078
- Reaction score
- 6,380
Since my dad passed 10 years ago, my Uncle Rick and I grew very close. He played QB in High School and college (at UNH). It was like having a living connection to my dad, because they were a lot alike, salty New Englanders that were an acquired taste to outsiders.
What bonded us more than anything was Patriots football. After every game I would call him and analyze the game. He would give his analysis of QB play, coverage schemes, etc.. I would mostly listen because he knew 10x more than I did. Sometimes I would bring up stuff I read on this forum, and that would periodically make it seem like I knew what I was talking about.
About two years ago, I met some of his friends at this bar he would go to. They were like "Wait, you are the guy? Every time the damn Pats game ends Rick leaves the freakin' room so he can go talk to his damned nephew, leaving us high and dry. So you're the one ruining the end of the games for us? Thanks a lot kid!" This was a good feeling. It wasn't really about football for us.
It is the off-season so we don't talk quite as much, but we always expect it to pick up with each season. Unfortunately, six weeks ago he broke his hip, and at that time we found out he had Stage IV pancreatic cancer that had already metastasized to his liver. This morning he passed away. ****ing cancer just tore through him. Luckily I was able to go up to Newburyport to visit him five weeks ago and he was cogent enough to ***** with me about the Tom Brady ********, the Red Sox, and a few other things.
Godspeed Uncle Rick. Thanks for all these years of leaving your friends to touch base during the season. It was always about more than football. I don't know what I'll do at the end of the first game next season. There will be a big empty space there.
In time, I'll try to come up with some kind of fitting tribute to him to make it a little less empty...for now, much love Uncle Rick.
Here is is, pictured with my daughter, he always made sure we called him by the proper Great Uncle Rick in reference to her...he never married or had kids, and he adored the heck out of her.
What bonded us more than anything was Patriots football. After every game I would call him and analyze the game. He would give his analysis of QB play, coverage schemes, etc.. I would mostly listen because he knew 10x more than I did. Sometimes I would bring up stuff I read on this forum, and that would periodically make it seem like I knew what I was talking about.
About two years ago, I met some of his friends at this bar he would go to. They were like "Wait, you are the guy? Every time the damn Pats game ends Rick leaves the freakin' room so he can go talk to his damned nephew, leaving us high and dry. So you're the one ruining the end of the games for us? Thanks a lot kid!" This was a good feeling. It wasn't really about football for us.
It is the off-season so we don't talk quite as much, but we always expect it to pick up with each season. Unfortunately, six weeks ago he broke his hip, and at that time we found out he had Stage IV pancreatic cancer that had already metastasized to his liver. This morning he passed away. ****ing cancer just tore through him. Luckily I was able to go up to Newburyport to visit him five weeks ago and he was cogent enough to ***** with me about the Tom Brady ********, the Red Sox, and a few other things.
Godspeed Uncle Rick. Thanks for all these years of leaving your friends to touch base during the season. It was always about more than football. I don't know what I'll do at the end of the first game next season. There will be a big empty space there.
In time, I'll try to come up with some kind of fitting tribute to him to make it a little less empty...for now, much love Uncle Rick.
Here is is, pictured with my daughter, he always made sure we called him by the proper Great Uncle Rick in reference to her...he never married or had kids, and he adored the heck out of her.
Last edited:
