To the Kathy, Art, Chris and Peter Dickman and Family,
Sincere condolences to all of you in this difficult time, I first met your Dad in 1966 as a teenager playing Holy Family Basketball, your Dad, John Hughes, and Dan Healey were a coaching team, each taking turns as Head Coach, they all shared roots from the New York City area. We practiced on Friday nights at St Joseph's gym on Pearl St, and played our games on Sundays. Since Holy Family was a new parish, the 1966-67 was the first team to compete in the Northeast Deanery , the first team tied for 1st place with St Pat's and had a play off game, Holy Family emerges as the winner in its first season! Amazing, but your Dad and the coaches really pulled this one off. But, in the process created a Holy Family Basketball dynasty in the late 60's and 1970's, with your Dad as Head Coach in my Sophomore and Senior year, we were undefeated and played deep into the Connecticut State playoff championships (lost in the semi-final to the CT winner and eventually New England Champions ), he kept us focused on our goals, playing to win, but with respect for our opponents, sportsmanship and humility as well. Always a positive advocate for us. He has been a huge role model and mentor in my life and has been for so many others. In the 1980's , he called me and said " I need a coach for the Holy Family CYO Basketball team, your are my guy" . I signed up and coached for 8 years, we also lost to the eventual CT Champions and eventual New England Champions, but your Dad Coaching far exceeded anything I could get done. It is 52 years later and I still admire your Dad, his drive, energy, and will to make people's lives better, God Bless him as he joins your wonderful Mom in Heaven. While it may seem he is gone, he lives on in all of us. My Mom died back in 2013, and your Dad was instrumental in bringing Father Kerwan to her wake and Mass, ( it might have been his last funeral service) , we had a wonderful dialogue before the wake with Father Kerwan and your Dad before the wake started about the old times. My Mom would have loved both of them for their efforts. I also recorded some of the beautiful tributes to your Dad at the funeral mass, get in touch with me and I can send you the recording by Fr Peter Finn and Father Couturier. May God Bless all of you in this difficult time.
Phil Dumond - Thursday January 11, 2018 via Condolence Message