Hope you are all doing well and enjoying our little heat wave. I recently got back from visiting Coach Meyer and the GATOR football team. I had a great time and saw a lot of great football. It was not easy to watch the GATORS without John but I knew he was with me. It was great to see Coach Meyer and visit with him. He and Coach Addazio have their pictures that they took with John last year in their offices; that was great to see.
It was a busy weekend. The blood drive was Friday and they had a good turnout; I think the nice weather kept some people away though. Thanks to all who came out to donate in John's memory.
Last night was the Hall of Fame induction dinner. It was a wonderful night honoring many great Heralds. I was so nervous that I would be a total wreck during my speech then I knew John would give me strength to get through it. It was great to have my parents, our great friends with me and one John's senior football players whose Grandparents were also inducted to the Hall of Fame last night. I have added my speech and some pictures from last night.
John has been awarded his masters degree in Education Administration. It's a great tribute to John for all of his hard work especially since the majority of his time finishing the degree he was either in remission and on maintenance chemo or he was still recovering from his transplant.
May will be here before we know it. It will be a tough month. John's birthday on May 9th. The 1 year anniversary of our great friend Luke's passing on May 11th. The Cleveland Marathon on May 17th. Moe, Carrie, Amy, Jan and myself will all be in purple for Team in Training. We know John and Luke will be cheering us on.
I have also added a picture of John's grave. The headstone is scheduled to be in beginning or mid June. That's about all for now. Talk to you all soon. Jess
John did more than he knows for our beloved school. He wanted nothing more than to see this school survive for so many reasons. He was in the process of finishing grad school and talked his adviser into letting him do all of his projects here in hopes to get more kids in the school and what he could do to make it better for future students. He had gone to CCD classes talking to kids about the benefits of attending this school and all it offers to the community.
John had hopes to become the next principal here once Miss Larson decided to retire. He had his plan all laid out of what he would do here and how he could bring more students here. He wanted to get more students here and wouldn’t hurt to bring in some (as John would say) “studs” for the football team.
The most important thing he did here was form an incredible bond with his football players throughout his time here. Especially the football team this year most importantly the seniors. The seniors have been with him since he first got sick and they never left his side or mine. He taught these boys so much more than football in the short time he was here. He wanted nothing more than to see the boys win but more importantly than football he wanted them all to succeed and be proud of themselves.
I know after seeing what the boys have been through this year with John, Coach Timonere’s baby and with Mrs. Thornton being sick he is so proud of them and will always be watching over them in all that they do. It’s not often you see young men go through what this football team did this season. One of John’s wishes was for his football team and assistant coaches to follow his casket at his funeral. When he said that to me I lost it then I thought how am I going to tell the boys and coaches. He loved this football team so much.
John had many ties here at our school. How could he not he had this energy about him that drew everyone to him. His best friend Geno who he considered a brother. The stories of these 2 here are priceless and Miss Larson can attest to that. His high school coaches here from Coach Iarocci, Coach Roc, Coach Clem, and Coach Perry. His teachers and many friends he made here. Then there was me the lowly 8th grader as he called me at our wedding.
When I was in elementary school I knew I wanted to go to St. John. It wasn’t until my 7th or 8th grade field trip to the high school that I finally understood why. Miss Larson talked to us about what it meant to go to school here it was more than a catholic education it was a second family. Two things that I remember that I will never forget were what it meant to be a True Herald and when you come to this school you will bleed blue and white.
There is no better man that fit those two sayings. John bled blue and white and he was definitely a TRUE HERALD. I know John is in heaven looking down on all of us and this school watching over all that come through here. His memory will never die here because teachers, coaches, parents, and current and past students will teach everyone that comes through these doors about the great man that is Coach Buzz.
Saints John and Paul now has an added angel looking over it. Thank you.
SSJP 2009 Hall Of Fame Inductees
Jess & Eric. Eric's Grandfather and Grandmother was also inducted for their contributions and support of SSJP.
Rest In Peace, Dear Friend and True Herald...
It was a busy weekend. The blood drive was Friday and they had a good turnout; I think the nice weather kept some people away though. Thanks to all who came out to donate in John's memory.
Last night was the Hall of Fame induction dinner. It was a wonderful night honoring many great Heralds. I was so nervous that I would be a total wreck during my speech then I knew John would give me strength to get through it. It was great to have my parents, our great friends with me and one John's senior football players whose Grandparents were also inducted to the Hall of Fame last night. I have added my speech and some pictures from last night.
John has been awarded his masters degree in Education Administration. It's a great tribute to John for all of his hard work especially since the majority of his time finishing the degree he was either in remission and on maintenance chemo or he was still recovering from his transplant.
May will be here before we know it. It will be a tough month. John's birthday on May 9th. The 1 year anniversary of our great friend Luke's passing on May 11th. The Cleveland Marathon on May 17th. Moe, Carrie, Amy, Jan and myself will all be in purple for Team in Training. We know John and Luke will be cheering us on.
I have also added a picture of John's grave. The headstone is scheduled to be in beginning or mid June. That's about all for now. Talk to you all soon. Jess
Hall Of Fame Speech...
I found out that John was inducted into the Hall of Fame the day he passed away. When Coach Timonere told me that he was accepted I thought if John just heard this he would try to muster up what energy he had and say “I won’t take it I haven’t done anything yet to deserve it give it to someone else”. John was not one to accept honors like this.John did more than he knows for our beloved school. He wanted nothing more than to see this school survive for so many reasons. He was in the process of finishing grad school and talked his adviser into letting him do all of his projects here in hopes to get more kids in the school and what he could do to make it better for future students. He had gone to CCD classes talking to kids about the benefits of attending this school and all it offers to the community.
John had hopes to become the next principal here once Miss Larson decided to retire. He had his plan all laid out of what he would do here and how he could bring more students here. He wanted to get more students here and wouldn’t hurt to bring in some (as John would say) “studs” for the football team.
The most important thing he did here was form an incredible bond with his football players throughout his time here. Especially the football team this year most importantly the seniors. The seniors have been with him since he first got sick and they never left his side or mine. He taught these boys so much more than football in the short time he was here. He wanted nothing more than to see the boys win but more importantly than football he wanted them all to succeed and be proud of themselves.
I know after seeing what the boys have been through this year with John, Coach Timonere’s baby and with Mrs. Thornton being sick he is so proud of them and will always be watching over them in all that they do. It’s not often you see young men go through what this football team did this season. One of John’s wishes was for his football team and assistant coaches to follow his casket at his funeral. When he said that to me I lost it then I thought how am I going to tell the boys and coaches. He loved this football team so much.
John had many ties here at our school. How could he not he had this energy about him that drew everyone to him. His best friend Geno who he considered a brother. The stories of these 2 here are priceless and Miss Larson can attest to that. His high school coaches here from Coach Iarocci, Coach Roc, Coach Clem, and Coach Perry. His teachers and many friends he made here. Then there was me the lowly 8th grader as he called me at our wedding.
When I was in elementary school I knew I wanted to go to St. John. It wasn’t until my 7th or 8th grade field trip to the high school that I finally understood why. Miss Larson talked to us about what it meant to go to school here it was more than a catholic education it was a second family. Two things that I remember that I will never forget were what it meant to be a True Herald and when you come to this school you will bleed blue and white.
There is no better man that fit those two sayings. John bled blue and white and he was definitely a TRUE HERALD. I know John is in heaven looking down on all of us and this school watching over all that come through here. His memory will never die here because teachers, coaches, parents, and current and past students will teach everyone that comes through these doors about the great man that is Coach Buzz.
Saints John and Paul now has an added angel looking over it. Thank you.
SSJP 2009 Hall Of Fame InducteesJess & Eric. Eric's Grandfather and Grandmother was also inducted for their contributions and support of SSJP.Rest In Peace, Dear Friend and True Herald...
1 comment:
Jess, Its been a while since I've visited the site. But what a beautiful speech. You did John proud! Great Job!
Steve & Amanda
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