Wanted to take this time to wish all the readers of Container Diaries a very merry Christmas!

(The following is a revision from 2012)

Way back in the day when I was a young boy attending Holy Name, my mom would buy me a box of Christmas cards from Bargain Land. The night before the last day of school before Christmas break I would fill them out and distribute them to my teachers and classmates at school.

I sit here Christmas morning at my kitchen table, cup of coffee to my left, laptop in front of me. It’s 7:00 am. Wife and daughter are sleeping.

Merry Christmas to my late mother, Carol Corbett. You enjoyed the Holidays as much as anyone. Thanks for always making sure we had clothes on our body, food on the table and the rent paid each month. (Oops, and the tuition paid at Holy Name too)

Happy Holidays to my sister Sharon and her family living on Staten Island. Sharon is one of the strongest people I have ever met.

Shout out to my older brother John.

Merry Christmas to Danny Piselli and Mickey McNally; two guys that have always been good friends. I appreciated them allowing me to workout with them on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday mornings. They still train to this day. Danny was one of my first basketball mentors and to this day I recall many of his basketball concepts. Love getting a text message from him.

Happy Holidays to Jimmy Cullen, John Cain, Sean, Mickey and Pat Riley. I spent a lot of time with you guys.

Merry Christmas to Pepe Fis, Michael Layden, Peter Cosentino, Dave Curran, Tommy Brick, Corky, Emmett, and the late John-John Hernandez. To my man Michael Reed,  to Raymond Stewart, Robert Fran, the late Donald Leaver, Chuckie Reynolds, Jimmy Parker, Kevin Molloy, and to John Macalevey who is now living in Florida! Also a shout-out to his sister Annie and their older brother Peter).

To Paulie Ramos, Donato Barrucco, Joey Cannucci and Jimmy Carroll. I cherish all the time we spent together as teens.

I can’t forget about the girls I grew up with on the avenue; Merry Christmas to Maureen Horan (my first girlfriend), Lisa Cosentino, Mary Kawas, Karen Artz, Noreen Davis, Karen Cox, the late Joanne Mackay, Maria J., Stella and Patricia DeRossi. Happy Holidays to Tammy Triolo, Franny Cagino, Laura Williams, Mary Budgell, Donna Leach, Laura Loesch, Christine Regula, Laura Cox and Maureen Delaney.

Merry Christmas to the Bullock’s; Doris, Matt and Chris. The Kawas family from 16th street; Charlie, Ricky, Tommy, Christine and Doreen.

Happy Holidays to Diane Drago, Lynn Delaney, Chris and Dave Logan, Danny Ryan, Ricky and his mom “Luv”,  Danny and Annie Byrnes, Mary Harte, Karen Ann, Gina Ruberto, Gina Tarropino, Kenny Nolan, Billy Mudge, Gerard Weldon and Eileen Cush.

Merry Christmas to all my teachers at Holy Name, you were the best; especially Mr. Mussa and Miss Monzillo, my two favorites.  I may not have been a good student and I didn’t understand the importance of school but you would be proud to know that I turned the corner and was able to graduate from college. Happy Holidays to Sister Joan and Sister Barbara.

To the Dilgen’s from Fuller Place. The Kurella’s,  Jimmy Maloney from Prospect Avenue, Mary from the Windsor Pub, Teresa Connelly, Kevin Mahoney, Jerry Kavanagh, Mark Longo, Howie and Gloria Bischoff, Kenny Reed, Eugene Reed, James Mowbray, The Plantamura’s, Cliff Bowen, Timmy Horan, Gwen Ruberto, Eileen Leach, Al and Frankie Esposito, Kenny and Robbie Stratton, Jane, Teddy and Cathy Kosokovich. Happy Holidays to you all.

Best wishes to Ray Orlando, Eugene and Eddie Liotta, George Dewey, The Rowland’s from 15th street, Jimmy Johnson, The Conlon’s from Sherman Street, Broadway, Donna Rice, Michelle Moran, Kathy Cain, Eddie Keyes and La-La.

Happy Holidays to Rae and Otto; the best candy store in the neighborhood. Otto always kept an eye on me whenever I entered his establishment. It was hard to steal anything with you being a hawk.

Happy Holidays to Red from the shoe store on the corner.

Can’t forget about Pierre from 10th avenue. Also Merry Christmas to the Pynn Family who made the best Rice Pudding in the world…

Merry Christmas to Timmy Hardy, Willy Wickham, Tommy Burns, Jimmy Prendergast, Tommy Houk, Sal Marino and my main girl Gladys Mastrion.

Happy Holidays to the late Mickey Breen, Bob Terry, Bobby Burke, Mario Barrucco and his late dad Paulie.

To St. Rose of Lima graduate Gabby Higgins to Kenny Whelan, Paul Mourry, Rabbit, Mary Anne Brick, the late Rita Brick and Rocky (L&J owner).

Merry Christmas to Jimmy Vackner, Louie Fis, Eddie Valdone, Danny Mahoney, Gene Green, Larry Maloney, Kevin Maloney, Michael Troeller, Victor Vientos, Fat Jack, Joey Gallagher, and the Langton’s.

Happy Holidays to The Riches Family from Terrace Place, Michael Bundrick, Tony Fasano, Chuckie Raub, The Sullivan’s, and everyone who hung out on the Parkside.

Merry Christmas to the Krumbholz family, Carson Tang and Nat, who always had cold water on hand for us thirsty young boys across the street from P.S. 154’s schoolyard. Remember how we passed the jug around? Kids don’t do that anymore…

Happy Holidays to the late Officer Doyle of the 7-2. He was a pain in the ass but it was always tough love.  To the late Leo Ferrity and his son Butch. Leo loved basketball so much; I miss our hoop chats. Catching up with Butch back in May was the best.

Merry Christmas to David, Frankie and Ann Cullen. I probably spent more time at your house on Windsor Place than any other house in the neighborhood. At times you made me feel part of your family. I can’t forget your mom, dad and Aunt Marge from 16th street.  Happy Holidays to the entire Rutter Family from Howard Place.

Happy Holidays to Hooley in Farrell’s. You were always nice to me whenever I walked by or popped in. To Roachie and Willie Hugenon from the Avenue.  To Alan Lang one of my favorite point guards of all-time. You had a nice game.

To Curtis Walker and Timmy Kemp. To the Martinez brothers, Barry and John Ginda. Merry Christmas to the guy who used to sit at the desk at Smith’s up on the Avenue, thanks for allowing this thirsty young boy a drink from the water fountain when he had no money to buy a drink from the store.

Happy Holidays to the Dolan family from 10th avenue. Mrs. Dolan, you are one of the best! Your family did things the right way.  Also to the Corrigan Family on Howard Place.

Merry Christmas to Bill Khaley, Gerard, Betty and Bobby Trapp.

To Jimmy Rauthier, one of the best the neighborhood has produced both on and off the court.  Also to your brothers, Georgie and the late Michael. Georgie was my first basketball coach at Holy Name and Michael was always cool to me. Merry Christmas to Charlie Alberti, a quiet man but a great athlete.

To Richie, Mickey and Eileen Deere; my neighbors on the avenue. I’m sorry I talked back to your mother when she scolded me for crossing against the red light on the Avenue.

Happy Holidays to Jerry and Helen Cole, John Brown, Frankie Papa, Danny Raymond, Harry the Barber, Lorenzo the stylist,  Richard Day, Eddie Cush, Dennis Mullalley, Joey Mastrion, Robert Lanagan, Jimmy Parker and the Lawson family.

Merry Christmas to Danny Mills, Mike, Eileen and Eddie Slavin. The Fifield’s, to Hughey Quinn, Nicky Fucci, Jimmy Peterson, Mark Lewis, Frankie Lakat, Rosemarie Talierico, Donnie Tighe, Mark Elkhouri, The Heaney Family, Diane DiTonno, Jay from Ballard’s, Jane Hart, Lisa O’Connor, Karen Burke, Eric Swanson, and the late Peter Vega.

Happy Holidays to Gary Homan, Jeannie Cummins, Michael Kennedy, John and Michael Karvounis. Merry Christmas to Gerry Cregg, Susan Rail, her late brother Jimmy and the Hickey Family from 8th avenue.

To the entire Ferro Family, Joe Santos, Edgar Dela-Rosa, Jimmy Wheeler, Danny Leary, Fiore Tierno, Artie Lee and Michael Scotto Di Clemente. To Willie Lanzisera, Marty Lake, Buddy Thompson and Mr. Zoli….oops, Happy Holidays to Emily Zoli too.

Happy Holidays to the past owners of Associated and Key Food up on the avenue. Another place where they always kept an eye on me like I was going to boost something. Believe it or not, I never stole anything from their stores. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, kids for one Pringles?”

Merry Christmas to Angel Flood the crossing guard on Windsor and ninth. I recall the cops in their squad cars always trying to kick it with her.

Merry Christmas to all the priests at Holy Name. Especially Father Jim. I have heard so many wonderful things about you and the direction the Church is headed. And Father Peter, even though you are no longer at Holy Name, once you have spent time there, you are considered family for life. And I can’t forget Father Devlin; he helped me out a couple of times when I was trying to find my way as a young adult. Father Shine, Brother Flanagan and Msgr. Downing, all good men…

To the Fields family, the Heegan’s and the Keating’s. To Gene Green, Bill and Carol Gogarty, Robert and Jeffrey Price, Eddie Mayrose, Billy Shaw, Harry Mills, the late Frankie Pali, Joe Sullivan and Joe Sabbagh.

Merry Christmas to Joe Hurley, Louie Sardella, the Raffertey’s from tenth avenue and Big John.

To Pat, Timmy and Michael Cain. The Priolo’s, Joey Stasiak, Patrick and Phil Cregg.

Merry Christmas to The Brunton’s and The Powers’ family.

Happy Holidays to Anthony Page, Jackie and Mike Kelly and to a loyal reader and contributor of Container Diaries, Maureen Rice.

Merry Christmas to Louie Weber, Junior Kemp, Peter Flynn, Richie, Bobby and Dee-Dee Dixon, Donald Barbeiri, and the Kash Brothers. Also to the Rower Family from Howard Place.

Happy Holidays to my guy Carl Manco and Loretta from Sport Prospect. To Chris Johnson, Big Kev,  Al McNeil, Jimmy Budgell and Terry Green.

To Richie Ferriolo, Jocko, Tom Brady and the late Joe Farrell. To Charlie Worsdale, Eddie Kearns, Martin, Chris and Amy Cottingham. To Ronald St. George, Gerard Grayson, Joanne Monti, Barbara Artz, Collen Davis, Liz Peterson, Rosemarie Tallierco, Susan and Bobby Meyerson, Pete Iulo and Ricky Hederman.

To Louie Weber, the late John Devaney, Danny Ryan, Jim Fox, the late Joey Corrar. Happy Holidays to Michael and Gerard Fraser, Chris, Carlos and CJ Robinson, Orlando Pabon, Brian D., Eloy and Charlie Miralih.

Happy Holidays to Jimmy and Kenny Rallis, the Rooney’s from Fuller Place, the late George Brossard, Edmund Gallahue, Joe Lee, Andy Purdy and Ray Collurra.

Merry Christmas to Ray Nash, the late Forte Bellino and Pete Goyco. Happy Holidays to the Palanca’s of Prospect Avenue. The McGovern’s and my guys from IHM, Kerry McKeon and Ron Hardy.

To Paul Quirk, Bart Pollack, Joey and Jamie Caputo, Pam May, Rabbit and Slick from the Parkside.

To the Mardini Family from 15th street. The LaVasseur Family and the Sturgis Family. To Bubba, The Mastrandrea Family and Anthony Demarco.

The Orego’s. The Purdy’s. The Corrigan’s. O’Brien’s and the Mackey’s…Merry Christmas to you all.

Happy holidays to all my relatives around the world.  The Leopoldi’s, Sabbagh’s, Corbett’s and Melfi’s.

To John Godfrey, Julian Ramos, Whizzer White, Diane Campos, Paulie Paliciano,  Hodgie and Phil McNiff.

To Timmy Horan, the Weiberg’s and the two Davis families on Windsor…

Happy Holidays to Gutter from the shoe store, Buggy Bill, Junkie Joe, The Bove’s, Raymond Buzzo, Catherine Maloney and Eddie Timp.

Merry Christmas to Turk, Chris Logan, Barry Rohrssen, Chris Ryan, Mark Pearson, Billy Geli, Jazzy Art, Milo, Guido, Kerry, Martha, Jack and Billy Ryan, Randy Reis and Edgar Dela-Rosa. Happy Holidays to Paulie Medina out in Cali.

Happy Holidays to Donnie Kent, Bob Leckie and Timmy Leary.

Merry Christmas to Billy McNally, Jimmy Ferry, Brian and Michael Lang, Brian and Peter Nash and of course my good friend Dennis Nolan.

Happy Holidays to John and Jimmy Corrar, Corrado, Pete Iulo, Ann Cullen, Eileen Devaney, Tommy and Mergin Sina, Bicky, Michael, Tommy & Patrick Larkin; to Michael Kawas and Cadge. To Big Jimbo, Carmine and Jimmy the Greek.  Season Greetings to you all.

Merry Christmas to Joe from Joe’s Pizza and his guy, Kenny. Also to the Sabella’s who ran their pizza joint on the avenue for many years.

Last but not least, Happy Holidays to Pat Fenton and the Hamill brothers. Three writers who have inspired me to work very hard on the writing craft. And of course, their idea for a piece like this one.

To conclude, forgive me if I left you out, it was not done intentionally; it’s called getting older.

MERRY CHRISTMAS…

-Red

Hoops135@hotmail.com