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There's Only One Goose
It's June 25th -- and around the Gagnon household for the past 57 years that's been an important day. It's the birthday of my little brother, Goose. Now Goose may never forgive me for telling the world about his birthday, because for at least the past 25 years he's refused to celebrate it.
He just acts like it's any other day, but we know better. Baseball had its Goose Gossage and, before him, Goose Goslin. In Plattsburgh there are a few guys who are nicknamed "Goose" but to me, and to most of the North Country, there's only one Goose.
People sometimes call Goose "Foxy" and sometimes people call me "Goose." I guess that's because we are so much alike in looks and maybe in attitudes and behaviors, but that wasn't always the case. In our earlier lives, when I was "Ray" and he was "Gary," we might go weeks without talking to each other.
You see, he was fun-loving, friendly, happy-go-lucky, on the go, and I was quite the opposite. I was serious, often kept to myself, worried too much and liked the quietude of my bedroom, studying my baseball cards and reading sports magazines.
If there was a curfew, and in the Gagnon household there was, I'd arrive home ten minutes early just to be safe. Goose would arrive ten minutes (or more) late, just to test the rule. If we were all dressed up for Easter Sunday mass, suits and bowties and new shoes, we'd be told, "Now don't get those dirty." I'd stand still for an hour afraid to get a wrinkle in my pants, while Goose would be across the street playing baseball and come back home sweaty and dusty.
To top it all off, Goose was a Yankees fan. I wasn't. Goose is still a Yankees fan. I'm not. He said Whitey was best, and I said it was Sandy. He said Mickey was best, and I said Duke was. He said Casey was the best manager, and I told him Walter was.
There was only one thing we saw eye-to-eye on, it seems, and that was picking on our little sister Darlene. That seemed to be the only time Goose and I shared a laugh together as kids. Oh, we could come up with the greatest schemes to pick on our darling little sister. We were a team when it came to that.
As the years flew by, some things began to change. We never know the course our lives will take. The Beatles were right: it is a long and winding road. When Goose was forty years old, heart problems almost cost him his life. For three days we kept a vigil at the hospital. For three days Goose wasn't with us. He could tell you where he was for three days while we stood at his bedside, hoping we'd get Goose back.
Seventeen years later, here he is, not celebrating his birthday. And seventeen years later, here he is -- my best friend. Through the ups and downs in my own adult life, my brother has been there by my side, making sure I'd end the day with a smile. He's given me advice, and, by golly, he seems to be able to predict the future. So often Goose has shown his wisdom when it comes to dealing with life, with setbacks, with friends.
Anyone who knows Goose knows that he has a heart of gold. He's always been that way. He always has had a legion of friends. He's always been hard-working and he still is. Whether it's his multi-tasking jobs at Charter Cable or umpiring Little League baseball games or working with me on our football tv games of the week, Goose gives it his all.
So what if another birthday quietly slips by today? I know it won't slow him down. He's still got plenty to do.
And something else odd has happened to both of us through the years. It seems like both of us have moved toward the center in our manner of living. We seem to think more and more alike, and, even, behave more and more alike. I say Goose has become more like me. He says I've become more like him.
No matter. It is great if anyone even says that I am like my little brother. That is a proud moment for me. Goose Gagnon is quite a guy, and I'm so happy that he's my brother.
Only thing is ... he's a Yankees fan. I'm not.
Comments
Ducky Drake told me of Goose's birthday and I attempted to call him at work with no success. So, Happy Belated Birthday to Goose who is one of the best!
Posted by: The Donald | June 29, 2008 9:28 PM
Foxy,
Congratulations to your little brother. The 2 of you really epitomize "Fox Hill" and the "Noooorth Country". The Goose and I go back to the mid "50's" now that we are reaching into our late "50's". There is no better friend in the world than Goose. He has never spoken ill of anyone. Willing to do almost anything for anybody. Always just a little on the mischievous side, just ask Sr. Gemma. I think the 2 of you have a lot of your Dad in you. Mr. G always had a big smile, always inquiring about how things were going and forever praising your success (Sounds familiar). Add that little touch of Vi to keep everyone grounded.
Anyways, Happy Birthday to the Goose, let's plan on a lot more.
PS- Foxy, on your last blog someone mentioned "passion pit". The only passion pit I knew of was the Onchiota dump where your took your dates to see the Bears. For directions, contact Mike Flynn,
Bullet
Posted by: Bullet | June 26, 2008 8:34 AM
Hi Ray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not much different growing up on South Catherine than Fox Hill! The Foxes from OLVA always played to win! I think it was that they were a small school and wanted to prove they were as good as anyone. And they did. I can recall a pre-season football between PHS and OLVA and the mid 60's , we (PHS) came away with new found respect for the Foxes! We were glad they were not in our league! I would like to offer Happy Birthday to Goose!! PS Linda and Rick raved about your fishing skills!
Beef
Posted by: Beef | June 26, 2008 8:22 AM
Goose called me today about umpiring Little League next week. If I had known it was his birthday then I would have wished him a great one. After all, Yankee fans love Yankee fans. I can still remember Goose running over all the defenses in the CVAC back when. He is also quite the fisherman too. You guys are a great team and have given the North Country some great memories. I know there are many many more to come.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOOSE!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Crusher | June 25, 2008 11:46 PM
hard to believe a couple of sex pistols like "foxy & goose" have lived thru it all ..drive in's , milkmen, the nuns, the beatles, the egg and machine shop, brodis, clams, wings, the break ups, the make ups.. the Dodgers, the Yankees. chrips probably even the Black Soxs...some would say "only the good die young"... I'm not one of them, but some would say that!!. happy birthday goose!!! you old $^%#^&!!!... Lots of good brother combos out there, with some great nicknames, perhaps a hell of a topic for a blog?? or did ya already cover that one?...Smothers Bros. got nothin on you two! Baker bros, Carpenter Bros, Ducatte bros, Rock bros..maybe....
Posted by: The Carver | June 25, 2008 7:49 PM
Happy Birthday to the Goose, the man who single handidly brought the Mets and SNY to Plattsburgh back in 2006.
Craig Mathews
Posted by: Craig Mathews | June 25, 2008 2:02 PM
Happy birthday to Goose and happy belated birthday to you, Foxy! May there be many more for you both.
I have always wondered how you got your nicknames... and how Darlene somehow avoided/missed out on one?
(Foxy's note: Some day I'll write a blog with the entire story about how I got my nickname -- it involves your Dad, by the way -- and, with Goose's permission, I'll reveal the mystery behind his nickname. As for my sister, my Dad called her "Cookie" but it never stayed with her into adulthood.)
Posted by: Lisa Z. | June 25, 2008 11:30 AM
Oh, maybe a silly question, but is Fox Hill named after you? Happy birthday to Goose by the way...nice to see that he's a Yankee fan!!!
(Foxy's note: Answer to your question: No! The hill was there long before me!)
Posted by: Auntyellow | June 25, 2008 10:03 AM
Happy birthday Goose!! Sorry Foxy, but I have to agree with Goose on Whitey, Mickey, and Casey. Go Yanks!!
Posted by: Jim Manchester | June 25, 2008 9:42 AM
Having watched 4 years of Little League baseball with my son playing and many more before that, I can honestly say there is nobody that can match the love for the game and the kids that Goose displays every time he steps on the field. From taking time to explain something to a youngster, to putting his arm around a young player and offering words of encouragement after a tough day on the field. Nobody has or will ever do it better than Goose.
When he finally decides to hang up his mask Platsburgh Little League and all the kids that Goose has helped over the years will miss him greaty.
One last thing......Happy Birthday Goose....how bout them Sox !!
Posted by: Rick K | June 25, 2008 8:06 AM