Happy 2024 and summer! I do have one sad note to report. Our classmate Pete Cooper has passed. A Maine high school football coaching legend, whose son Kevin carried on the tradition and winning habit, won 10 regional titles and three state championships. His gift, players say, was establishing a culture where the players challenged each other and appreciated each positive improvement members made. His son has taken his team to seven football championships, some with his father’s assistant coaching after he retired from his 28 years as head coach at Lawrence High School. The Lawrence football field is named Pete Cooper Stadium.
And halfway across our country wonderful John Howard ’65G and wife, Betsy, are enjoying theater and dinners, and he credits Betsy for many of their friends. John and Betsy connected at their 40th high school reunion, so want to point out that class reunions are good to do!
I am excited that I am crossing the country to spend eight days with my University of Maine roommate, Judy Joel Tardiff, and we are going to savor the sites and activities of Raleigh and Myrtle Beach, NC. Judy has moved into a truly wonderful (now that I am back home and can testify) seniors home, and with her vision and artistic skills, her apartment is gorgeous. She walks into the dining area and everyone calls out “Hi, Judy!” with happies. Really nice. I have clients in a lot of retirement homes in San Diego and don’t know any as nice as this for under $15,000/month or more!
I don’t know about you, but I find retirement exhausting. I must have used up all my “no’s” in the ’60s when I was the only virgin in NYC, but Rotary, youth shelters, community organizations, and other purposes keep me running and happy. And recently I adopted a seven-year-old black lab from the Humane Society, and he is the smartest and most loving creature. Whoever lost him surely gave him love and ideal training, and since his arrival the empty sadness since Tom’s passing is shifted to sunshine.
Please write me before the next column is due or I will have to come visit you like I did Judy to get your story!