Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club
June 15, 2025, 12:53:04 PM *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Ultimate Seats Link VRCC Store
Homepage : Photostash : JustPics : Shoptalk : Old Tech Archive : Classifieds : Contact Staff
News: If you're new to this message board, read THIS!
 
Inzane 25
Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club > Chapter Boards > New England Chapter > Its been a tough week
Pages: [1]   Go Down
« previous next »
Send this topic Print
Author Topic: Its been a tough week  (Read 3109 times)
Wall
Member
*****
Posts: 1161
« on: September 25, 2024, 06:05:29 PM »
Most if not all of you know me as "Wall to Wall". I got that moniker many years ago by a great friend of mine, Mike, that I used to ride with. We were standing in another friend's house, Chris and Vinnie, the only Irish guys in a house full of Italians. I was in the kitchen doorway, my first time meeting Chris and Vinnie's very short, very no nonsense, very Italian mother. She was making enough food for an army to which her boys replied was "every meal". See turned to say something to Mike about his shenanigans and saw me standing there taking up the door way. I can still hear broken English Italian voice "who is this in my door way? I don't know of him." Before anyone could say anything, Mike leaned into her closely and said, "this is Wall to Wall Paul, and that's all you should want know of him" Well Holy Crap! A legend is born. She started going on in half English and finishing in all Italian. Chris and Vinnie were laughing there asses off. Even their father had a grin on his face. Mike just put and arm on her shoulder and said he would do his best to keep me in line. Story goes she believed from that moment on that I was part of the Irish Mafia. Needless to say the next time going to our favorite watering hole, I walked in to a rousing round of WALL! as if I was Norm walking into Cheers. I received news Tuesday Afternoon that my friend Mike passed away.
Wednesday afternoon, the guy that married Kathy and I (Ed) and who has been a friend and guiding light in my life for decades passed away after a quick illness. I was able to see him the Saturday before. I said my good-bye as it was obvious he was in bad condition. He never woke while I was there.
Thursday evening, Kathy's oldest brother called to tell me Kathy's Uncle Larry had lost his battle with cancer. He was an incredibly kind, well educated fascinating man. He always said Kathy was his favorite niece. He was a great story teller too. He wrote a book about his time in seminary school and his change of profession. He was a journalist and an editor of a few big and popular magazines.
I don't want to bring any of you down. I'm ok. I think writing this to you guys helps me deal with it.
So, if you could all do me a favor and die for a couple more decades, I'd appreciate it.
Hug your family and friends, don't be afraid to tell them how much they mean to you.
I wish you all health and happiness. I am greatly blessed that you allow me to refer to you as my friends. I have learned, lived and enjoyed life more knowing all of you.
God bless
« Last Edit: September 25, 2024, 06:12:18 PM by Wall » Logged
Sometimes you only get 2.7 seconds, make it count.
ybnorml
Member
*****
Posts: 3470
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2024, 07:31:10 AM »
Sorry to hear of your losses Paul...Hold the strength and knowledge you gained from these men close and put it to good use...

I remember when Chris and Laura were having the big picture window installed upstairs in their relatively new home.  You were the honorary Wall in the Hole before the window was installed...
Logged
Tony C.
Member
*****
Posts: 2057


Massachusetts
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2024, 08:39:06 AM »
Hey Paul. We're very sorry to hear this news. Please accept our condolences.

As you know, I met Uncle Larry at St. Cecilia Catholic church in my town.  We'd see each other at the 7 AM Sunday mass and sometimes we'd chat. At the time, I did not know he was Kathy's Uncle. When we saw each other at your wedding, we were both surprised. We had a chance to talk and get to know each other a little better. I agree, he was a great guy.

Thank you for texting us the information about his wake. It's a few towns away and we're planning to attend to pay our respects. We're looking forward to seeing you, but wish the circumstances were different.

Take care...
Logged
Wall
Member
*****
Posts: 1161
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2024, 12:41:58 PM »
Quote from: ybnorml on September 26, 2024, 07:31:10 AM
Sorry to hear of your losses Paul...Hold the strength and knowledge you gained from these men close and put it to good use...

I remember when Chris and Laura were having the big picture window installed upstairs in their relatively new home.  You were the honorary Wall in the Hole before the window was installed...
There's not many people that can say that.
Logged
Sometimes you only get 2.7 seconds, make it count.
Wall
Member
*****
Posts: 1161
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2024, 12:44:41 PM »
Quote from: Tony C. on September 26, 2024, 08:39:06 AM
Hey Paul. We're very sorry to hear this news. Please accept our condolences.

As you know, I met Uncle Larry at St. Cecilia Catholic church in my town.  We'd see each other at the 7 AM Sunday mass and sometimes we'd chat. At the time, I did not know he was Kathy's Uncle. When we saw each other at your wedding, we were both surprised. We had a chance to talk and get to know each other a little better. I agree, he was a great guy.

Thank you for texting us the information about his wake. It's a few towns away and we're planning to attend to pay our respects. We're looking forward to seeing you, but wish the circumstances were different.

Take care...
He was eager to tell to Kathy he actually knew you. Kathy was "oh he's such a sweet guy." And I was like "well he learned his lesson in prison." Kathy was horrified, and looked at me like he didn't know who I was. I did laugh pretty hard though. I think that's what gave me away.
Logged
Sometimes you only get 2.7 seconds, make it count.
Tony C.
Member
*****
Posts: 2057


Massachusetts
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2024, 04:38:28 PM »
Quote from: Wall on September 26, 2024, 12:44:41 PM
He was eager to tell to Kathy he actually knew you. Kathy was "oh he's such a sweet guy." And I was like "well he learned his lesson in prison." Kathy was horrified, and looked at me like he didn't know who I was. I did laugh pretty hard though. I think that's what gave me away.

 Grin
Logged
RickT2004
Member
*****
Posts: 267
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2024, 08:43:50 AM »
Sorry for your loss Paul. "Fear not that you may die rather fear that you may not live." It sounds to me like they chose the latter.  angel
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
Send this topic Print
« previous next »
Jump to:  

Theme by Crip Powered by SMF 1.1.20 | SMF © 2013, Simple Machines MySQL | PHP | XHTML | CSS