On The Sly

My mother told me the news the other night. I always used to get so excited when he would umpire my little league games. . .I have to admit he was one of my favorites (Goose was great too. . .and Foxy, I dont think you ever did one of my games). Gordie was so kind and gentle with us.

I suppose some parents and coaches got a little bit too fired up during the games, but he always brushed it off and joked about it. I am so sorry for the family's loss. I know how close ya'll were and I wish you all the best.

Foxy; I left Plattsburgh in 1965 and your Blog really lets me and others who have moved away come home again! It saddens me when I read a Father, Mother, Son, Daughter And Friends have died. Your words often hit home and I remember when I would only read the sports section in the press. As I get older and see how many wonderful Relatives and Friends that have died in my lifetime I always pray that they're with God! They all tried in their own way "To Leave The World A Better Place And Always tried To Find The Best In Others" - Lenny

Foxy, I am so sorry to hear about Gordie. He was a guy many of us looked up to - he always had a kind word for me even though I was younger than him - and that certainly wasn't the norm. My first game on the PHS varsity baseball team was against OLVA @ their field, so I must have played against Gordie though I don't remember much about the game except I almost hit a home run off Mike Flynn. John, Darlene & Linda, I am so very sorry for your loss, and my condolences to your family. Yes, back when we were kids, any adult in Plattsburgh could (and did) parent any child. I can't begin to tell you how many times I was caught doing something wrong by an adult all over the city. And just about everyone knew you and your family. 'What's your name? I know you're Dad & Mom and if I catch you doing this again, I'll call them up.' Ouch. But in retrospect, that missing practice has negatively impacted our culture. Yes Foxy, Gordie will be remembered for a long time as one of the good guys.

after reading your blog, today and then john's, a person can only reflect on the memories they had with loved ones.
gordie will always be remembered as an "icon" of little league with umpiring. of course, that stretch he was making into a double developed into a "home" run, as he was laid to rest on monday. how many times have we looked at our children and thought,
if i had to do over what would i do different now.? there are many things i would have done as they were growing up.

Foxy,
Thank you for your kind words about my father. Since my father's passing I have thought much about the same things you commented on. It seems to me that my father and his friends were all, as you said, "nice guys." They all seemed to share a friendship that was so pure and genuine...a friendship that it seems we are all too busy to forge today. I think, perhaps, it has something to do with the era your generation grew up in...a time when life in Plattsburgh was simpler. Back then, from what I've been told, you could walk outside your house just about any time of day and find a pick up game of basketball or baseball to play; When you heard someone's last name you could name just about everyone in their family; You respected those that came before you because you knew that with their age, came wisdom. It seems to me that we are fastly getting away from that, and I fear that the loss of my father's generation will only accelerate that trend. As much as the members of your generation may not be willing to go, many of the members of mine are also not ready to let you. Thanks Foxy for taking a minute to reflect on a good man's life.

-John Coryea

(Foxy's note: Thanks, too, John, for your kind words. Your Dad will be both missed and remembered for a long time.)

As I look at a now faded picture of my daughter's engagement that has been pinned near my computer at work for the last 15 yrs, it brings me back! We have all lost people who made our lives worth living. Those same people would tell us to keep going one day at a time if they could. But I can't help and think of what one person told me when was upset at a loss. "Sometimes when only one person is missing, the whole world seems empty." I do believe that we will meet those who go before us again!

Oh, Foxy, what you say is all too true. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about JB (John) and ask myself "why" life had to be so unfair.
My grandmother was a wise lady, She told me long ago - back when death was a vague something that had not, as yet, touched me - that if you live to an old age, you live to see much loss. But, you go on, living your life to the fullest, cherishing your loved ones and not feeling guilty about enjoying the time you have left.
I spoke to LaVerne (Gordie's mother-in-law) and we both know the shock of such a loss. I feel so badly that I'm not closer to help her, as she and Reb helped me four years ago,
So many dear friends have passed on in the last few years ... Angela Forrence, Margo Cook, Rita Farrell, Danny Adams, Pat Fink, Laura Righi, Gilles Maille (worked with him at the PR) and others .... so many family members, too.
I have moved on and begun a new life and adventure 3000 miles from home, but my heart will always belong in the 'Burgh.
Guess I'm waxing nostalgic. I thank you for this blog. We need to remember the goodness and lives of those passed on.

Lynda