Monday, April 11, 2016
I am so very sad to hear of Rocky's passing. I first met Rocky when he coached me in playgrounds hockey in the late 50's, despite being a working man, and having a young and growing family of his own. He was one of those rare people who coached a team of kids even though his children weren`t involved, because it was the right thing to do, especially for the community. The team was the Caswell Bruins, and we practiced and played on outdoor rinks all over the city. The thing that I remember most about playing for Rocky is how much fun he made the game for us, and how he made all of us feel that we were an integral part of the team, despite our varying abilities (in my case, although I was very small, I was also very slow).
At games I remember looking along the end boards and always seeing my mom watching. My dad had died when I was eight and despite having four children, she attended all my games in spite of the bone chilling cold. It was only later that I learned she was at those games because she had a big crush on my coach.
I attended Caswell school from '51 to '59, and every day I walked past Rocky's little yellow house on 31st. street on my way to and from school, I never failed to look at the house, hoping to see Rock so I could say hi. He always had time for the kids in the neighbourhood, and was always interested in what we were doing as far as school and sports were concerned.
In later years, after I had left the area, every time I passed through the neighbourhood I drove by the little yellow house, still hoping to see him. During the past few years, I saw Rocky at many Hilltop games, and spent a lot of time before games talking to him and it was always so much fun to sit and chat. He always asked about my mom and my family, and he was always so pleased to talk about his family.
I felt a great rush of air go out of my balloon when I read of Rocky`s passing. He had such a positive influence throughout his life on all those he touched: from the kids he coached, to his work colleagues and especially his family and friends. There isn`t a single word that can adequately describe the path that Rocky followed through life, and he will be missed...very much.
A final few words to describe how I felt about Rocky: when my dad died, I was devastated. I was the only kid that I knew that didn`t have a dad, and my feelings were that if I couldn`t have the dad I was supposed to have, that I wanted one just like Rocky.
I regret that I will be unable to attend the celebration of Rocky`s life as I am currently in Vancouver, my thoughts will be with you.
sincerely,
john hall
