Dick and I spent nine years in grade school at Holy Name of Jesus school in Worcester.
We then spent the next four years at Assumption Prep in Wocester where we played
played football together. After our Sophmore year, in June of 1953, a tornado nearly
completely destroyed the school. This occurred just a week after the student body
had gone home, all except a few sudents, among whom was Dick who was caught
up in the fury of the storm. Fortunately, Dick escaped without any injury and returned
to his home in Worcester. He contacted me that evening and invited me to go to the
school the following day along with his brother, Fr Louis, riding in the back of a large
dump truck. We were amazed of the destruction. We spent the remainder of the
summer working in one of the fields chipping the old mortar off building bricks
salvaged from the school buidings. That was quite a summer; we grew close as
friends. We went on to play sports and finished school. I have such wonderful
memories of Dick. We grew apart as our families grew; we met at school reunions
and renwed our friendship. I, as so many, was saddened by Dick's cancer and
especially so because my brother passed away nine months after being diagnosed.
Dick fought so valiantly and so bavely for so many years as to earn the respect of
the doctors and all the medical staffs of the the different medical facilities.
He was loved and admired by all. For 58 years Carmen, his beautiful wife, was
always at his side, supporting and aiding him in all his needs.Her love and devotion
carried Dick through it all. My wife, Lucy, and I were so fortunate to have such
a close relationship with them both. Our love and prayers are with them both.
