“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” -Muhammad Ali
I have met thousands of people during the course of my life. Some are still in contact, some are not.
This morning I was thinking of my friends from the neighborhood back in the day.
Four people who come to mind; Sean Riley, John Cain, John Godfrey and Jimmy Cullen, were awesome people. John Cain is no longer with us, he passed away a few years ago.
I spent a ton of time with these guys and it was a valuable learning experience each time.
Sean was a tough kid who would give you the shirt off his back.He was our “enforcer.” Always had your back.His younger brother Mickey was cool people too.
John Cain was a great athlete who was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.I was the QB on our Intramural football team and Cain was the receiver; he was the best in the league. Matter of fact he scored the most points, thanks to his grit and speed. I would throw the ball downfield and he would sprint, jump up and snatch it out of the air.
John Godfrey and I spent a lot of time together playing basketball in the schoolyard and in gyms around Brooklyn. We also spent time hanging out late at night on the Parkside.We played together for Holy Name. He got me on a team at Ty Cobbs and looking back, I should have went to Bishop Ford with him, we could’ve made a terrific backcourt for the Falcons. My bad Johnny G. The first day of high school for me at Power Memorial, G allowed me to borrow his Regina Pacis Basketball jacket.
Jimmy was a good ballplayer, solid all-around athlete and another guy that would do anything for you.Jimmy would often take me with him to New York Yankee games. His aunt Margie had the hook-up. We’d hang out on his stoop at 175 Windsor Place talking sports well past midnight. Whiffle Ball games on Fuller Place were like World Series games. The Cullen Family were cool people. I can’t forget about chillin’ in his basement listening to records all day and night.
These guys were my teammates in baseball, football and basketball. They were also my classmates at Holy Name, they were my drinking buddies and we played a ton of card games together.
“PAY ME REGGIE,” was a popular quote when Sean was dealing blackjack.
I miss the days of hanging out with these guys. The schoolyard, Park Side, inside Prospect Park, on the corner…it didn’t matter. Long as we were together, it was always a good time.