As I was growing to my adulthood in Attleboro, as you may expect from the frequent topics of my columns, I participated in a good number of athletic pursuits played in many different leagues, both school-sponsored and otherwise.
Researching through some old Attleboro Suns recently, I came across the account of a game played under the auspices of the Catholic Youth Organization, and the thought occurred to me that I may not have made mention of that organization or its hard-fought games. During the years I was eligible, I played basketball for St. John's team in the CYO; I recall the games were played chiefly in the St. John's school gym on Hodges Street and at St. Mary's Center in Norton. A couple of other things I remember is that the coaches who were involved taught us well, and that CYO ball was a lot of fun.
Old pal Dave Hardt was in the public library research room with me, and pointed out this story of "History on the Hardcourt" of a game involving athletes just of a few years older than ourselves. We were both very familiar with the boys on both teams in this contest from 1961.
St. John Gains Final of Fall River CYO Tournament
FALL RIVER - Don Lange and Bob Higginbotham, the 6-foot-3 "twins" who helped Attleboro High School to the co-championship of the Bristol County League this winter, sparked St. John of Attleboro to a 77-65 victory over St. Mary of North Attleboro in a semi-final game of the CYO Easter Basketball Tournament here last night.
The two juniors combine for a total of 53 points and also played their usual strong defensive inside game, grabbing rebounds off both backboards and holding down the scoring of the smaller North Attleboro five. Higginbotham was the game's high scorer with 32 points and Lange was second with 21. Also in double figures for the Attleboro quintet was Larry Heagney with 14.
Three North Attleboro High School standouts, all due to return to Bristol County League action next year, spearheaded the St. Mary attack and kept their team within hailing distance. Kevin Phipps led the trio with 19 points, Tom Schmidt contributed 18, and Neal Poirier came through with 13, in addition to playing his usual fine floor game.
St. John broke fast from the starting gate, racking up 24 points while holding St. Mary to 14. The winners added another point to their margin in the second quarter for a 40-29 advantage at halftime. St. Mary, however was not out of it and bounced back in the third quarter to outscore the Attleboro team 20-16, and reduce the deficit to 56-49 at the three-quarter mark.
St. John, however, regained command in the final stanza for a 21-16 margin during the final eight minutes to win going away.
On Dec. 21, a beloved member of our family finally lost the unbelievably valiant battle he has been waging against the ravages of prostate cancer. That man was my first cousin, Donald F. O'Brien, and while there are those who will say that he lived a relatively long life, dying at 81, with my cousin Donald I wanted to be very selfish and suspend nature's law in his case. You see, Donald was one of those people whom you wish fervently would live forever. I can't say the man ever really accomplished anything which the outside world would call remarkable, unless you want to count the absolutely remarkable fact that in those 81 years he led a life characterized by remarkably high character and his remarkable degree of love, caring and understanding for everyone with whom he came in contact.
Donald was a remarkable husband to his sweet and loving wife of 57 years, Iris (Street) O'Brien and father to his four great kids, Tim, Maureen, Tracy and Jane, and his willingness to fight his disease allowed him to see the birth and development of a great group of grandkids. He could build amazing things of wood and metal, and as our daughter Margaret's godparents, he and Iris were unfailing in their thoughtfulness, kindness and attentiveness. Their wedding was the first I ever attended, when I was 8, and he and Iris were always there for me and mine throughout my life.
The family gathered to say our goodbyes on the evening of Dec. 21, and I truly believe that Don would not allow himself to let go until his family assured him that it was all right, to let go of the tribulations and pain, and that we would all be all right. In the course of the evening, all of us whispered those words to him. My favorite Spanish phrase, "Vaya con Dios,"(go with God) were my final words to him after a lifetime with this wonderful man, and he slipped into the Mystery shortly after. Lord, you are getting one good and faithful servant.
One needn't be a rocket scientist to know just how far respect and common decency have gone around the bend, but I can't even put into words just how outraged and disgusted I was around Saturday noon as Donald's funeral procession made its way from St. John's Church to the Newell cemetery. We all plainly had the funeral designation signs displayed and our flashers on, and though most motorists were observant, there were an appalling number who seized any opportunity to make a jackrabbit start and cut into the procession, and a couple of idiots coming off the exit ramp from Interstate 95 south onto West Street were actually forcing several of us in the cortège into the oncoming lane of traffic rather than respectfully wait a moment. You know, it's a damn shame that when you're going to bury a loved one, you have neither the mindset nor the time to stop and drill some of these stone-ignorant clueless yahoos between the running lights. Unbelievable.
Please be good to one another out there, and be as charitable as possible to your brothers and sisters in more unfortunate circumstances; may all of you please have a safe and happy new year, and whatever you do, please don't drink and drive. Happy New Year, everyone. Peace.
Thomas McAvoy's commentaries appear in this space on Tuesdays.
