Of all the notable stars that flickered out in our world this past year, I doubt this one will be noted nearly as much as it should be, since it didn't shine in the firmaments of sports or pop culture or celebrity. And that's a shame. Because although there will never be anything even approaching a heaven on earth, it won't be because of people like this, whose star is no doubt shining in its rightful and well-earned place now.
Terrific newsletter. And even tho' it's about those who have passed this year, my favorite line of your piece is "... much as watching an obnoxious child sleeping endears him."
Only a parent can truly appreciate & understand this sentiment. Thank you and Happy New Year.
Matt, Have a happy and prosperous New Year. May your subscriptions flourish and your fish catch multiply.
While I take stock of the past year, I try to look forward to the possibilities of the new year.
The passing of notable figures is part and parcel of looking back. For my part, I note the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict. I almost wrote that I was saddened to learn of his death, but, instead, as a true-believing Catholic, I reflect on his life, well lived, and his work. I have faith that Jesus will take his faithful servant into his bosom. Therefore,
I also really enjoy the year-end articles on the celebs and notables who passed. The older I get (now 60, sigh) the more they resonate. Reading yours from eight years ago, I can’t help but be shocked it’s been that long since Kenny Stabler died. As a former hard partier myself, the Snake was always a kind of hero to me. (Has there ever been a better nickname?) My fave compilation of the year’s passings is CBS Sunday Morning’s “Hail and Farewell.” Here’s a link to this year’s. https://youtu.be/XMOLg_E9Fh0
I moved to Pittsburgh in 1969, the same year an unheralded football coach arrived. I was an Eagles fan and I figured, given the Steelers dreadful recored, I would reman one. Instead, like every person who lived in Pittsburgh in the 70s, I became and remain a dedicatebd Steelers fan. First there was Mean Joe, then there was Terry, then there was Franco and then and then....But, as you note, Franco was special. I bawled when I heard he had died, just three days before his number was to be retired. Indeed, I tear up just thinking about him. Thanks for your appreciation of someone who did indeed earn his fame.
Thanks for the tribute to Franco. He was a great guy - his “good luck” wish to you was a perfect example of who he was. While in grade school I watched him play football at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, New Jersey. He dominated. My mother was his HS guidance counselor - though I don’t think she had any influence on him becoming an all time NFL great.
Can’t let the mention of Kenny the Snake’s 2015 passing go by. As I suffered through law school at a Bay Area university (not just Harvard a-holes can play that game), solace and relief came from the winning antics of those bad boys across the Bay. (Kenny claimed they were the only team to travel with their own bail bondsman). Tortured every weekday by the drip, drip, drip of earnest young over-achievers, I could look forward to Sundays in the televised company of Kenny’s snakiness, Biletnikoff’s stickum, Hendricks’ storky madness, Lester’s molestations, the Tooz’s hungover chest beating, and (my favorite, having played guard in HS & college) the quit competence of of Gene Upshaw. Madden was cheerfully incoherent and brilliantly effective. And Al Davis stalked the sidelines with collar popped on his windbreaker and the perfect ducktail that I aspired to all through junior high and could never achieve. Never loved any team in any sport so much. RIP Kenny, et al. Thanks for the memories, Matt.
Happy New Year Matt - thanks for building this neat little community. I’ve slowed up on the commenting but still read most of what other people write.
While just about every other site eventually becomes infested with various species of online discourse mosquitoes, Slack Tide remains a beautiful screened porch on a cool evening. The mosquitoes rarely make it in, but on the rare occasions where they do I love the satisfying crackle as you jump into the comments to guide them towards the bug zapper.
I'm not a fan of Jan. 1 as any kind of special demarcation. For many it's a date to remember ignominious behavior for no other reason than being able to reminisce, telling stupid vomit stories. The following is the "meh" origin of Jan, 1 New Year:
"We can partly thank the Roman king Numa Pompilius. According to tradition, during his reign (c. 715–673 BCE) Numa revised the Roman republican calendar so that January replaced March as the first month. It was a fitting choice, since January was named after Janus, the Roman god of all beginnings..."
Who's heard of Numa Pompilius? Raise your hand...
That's what I thought.
I much prefer the Judaic recognition of New Year, Yom Kippur, being a confession of sins, with the implication that you'll try to be better the coming year.
Speaking only for myself, a day of confession would last longer than 24 hours.
Anyway, dying is passe. Everybody does it.
The song has nothing to do with the tone and tenor of my comment. I just like it 'cause he has Lucille by his side.
We are diminished by those who are gone, even some of the celebrities - the ones who became famous for actual accomplishment. I write non-fiction history, and with the book I completed this year, I realized that the only World War II vet still around to talk to (gotta call him this morning and wish a happy new year) who's a friend is my sixth grade teacher, the guy who "opened the door" to this life I have led. Those people really were the greatest generation (and not the way Tom Brokaw meant) for what they went through in their lives and the examples they left of how to do it. Which too many of we descendants fail at living up to, I fear.
The one thing that is really good about this New Year's Day is that absolutely none of the disasters I foresaw happening to us in 2022 when I confronted last New Year's Day came to pass. Giving us a new year to see if we have learned anything from how we prevented those disasters.
Over Bob Lilly ...Really ??
Not much for stamina either.But then again I'd stay out of that ring !
Of all the notable stars that flickered out in our world this past year, I doubt this one will be noted nearly as much as it should be, since it didn't shine in the firmaments of sports or pop culture or celebrity. And that's a shame. Because although there will never be anything even approaching a heaven on earth, it won't be because of people like this, whose star is no doubt shining in its rightful and well-earned place now.
https://davidepstein.substack.com/p/year-end-remembrances-part-3-the?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1024339&post_id=91256775&isFreemail=true&utm_medium=email
Happy New Year to you and yours. Nice shout out to Cousin Jethro and condolences for David Carr’s passing.
Terrific newsletter. And even tho' it's about those who have passed this year, my favorite line of your piece is "... much as watching an obnoxious child sleeping endears him."
Only a parent can truly appreciate & understand this sentiment. Thank you and Happy New Year.
A word in memory of Her Majesty Elizabeth II. Seventy year of faithful service deserves praise.
Matt, Have a happy and prosperous New Year. May your subscriptions flourish and your fish catch multiply.
While I take stock of the past year, I try to look forward to the possibilities of the new year.
The passing of notable figures is part and parcel of looking back. For my part, I note the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict. I almost wrote that I was saddened to learn of his death, but, instead, as a true-believing Catholic, I reflect on his life, well lived, and his work. I have faith that Jesus will take his faithful servant into his bosom. Therefore,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_8xtY7Bvd0
So....Ed "Too Tall" was the face of that Doomsday D...or Bob Lilly even .
Jethro Pugh was made famous by Jerry Kramer and Ken Bowman !
Happy New Year.
I also really enjoy the year-end articles on the celebs and notables who passed. The older I get (now 60, sigh) the more they resonate. Reading yours from eight years ago, I can’t help but be shocked it’s been that long since Kenny Stabler died. As a former hard partier myself, the Snake was always a kind of hero to me. (Has there ever been a better nickname?) My fave compilation of the year’s passings is CBS Sunday Morning’s “Hail and Farewell.” Here’s a link to this year’s. https://youtu.be/XMOLg_E9Fh0
I moved to Pittsburgh in 1969, the same year an unheralded football coach arrived. I was an Eagles fan and I figured, given the Steelers dreadful recored, I would reman one. Instead, like every person who lived in Pittsburgh in the 70s, I became and remain a dedicatebd Steelers fan. First there was Mean Joe, then there was Terry, then there was Franco and then and then....But, as you note, Franco was special. I bawled when I heard he had died, just three days before his number was to be retired. Indeed, I tear up just thinking about him. Thanks for your appreciation of someone who did indeed earn his fame.
Thanks for the tribute to Franco. He was a great guy - his “good luck” wish to you was a perfect example of who he was. While in grade school I watched him play football at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, New Jersey. He dominated. My mother was his HS guidance counselor - though I don’t think she had any influence on him becoming an all time NFL great.
May you and yours have a happy and healthy new year Matt.
Can’t let the mention of Kenny the Snake’s 2015 passing go by. As I suffered through law school at a Bay Area university (not just Harvard a-holes can play that game), solace and relief came from the winning antics of those bad boys across the Bay. (Kenny claimed they were the only team to travel with their own bail bondsman). Tortured every weekday by the drip, drip, drip of earnest young over-achievers, I could look forward to Sundays in the televised company of Kenny’s snakiness, Biletnikoff’s stickum, Hendricks’ storky madness, Lester’s molestations, the Tooz’s hungover chest beating, and (my favorite, having played guard in HS & college) the quit competence of of Gene Upshaw. Madden was cheerfully incoherent and brilliantly effective. And Al Davis stalked the sidelines with collar popped on his windbreaker and the perfect ducktail that I aspired to all through junior high and could never achieve. Never loved any team in any sport so much. RIP Kenny, et al. Thanks for the memories, Matt.
Happy New Year Matt - thanks for building this neat little community. I’ve slowed up on the commenting but still read most of what other people write.
While just about every other site eventually becomes infested with various species of online discourse mosquitoes, Slack Tide remains a beautiful screened porch on a cool evening. The mosquitoes rarely make it in, but on the rare occasions where they do I love the satisfying crackle as you jump into the comments to guide them towards the bug zapper.
I'm not a fan of Jan. 1 as any kind of special demarcation. For many it's a date to remember ignominious behavior for no other reason than being able to reminisce, telling stupid vomit stories. The following is the "meh" origin of Jan, 1 New Year:
"We can partly thank the Roman king Numa Pompilius. According to tradition, during his reign (c. 715–673 BCE) Numa revised the Roman republican calendar so that January replaced March as the first month. It was a fitting choice, since January was named after Janus, the Roman god of all beginnings..."
Who's heard of Numa Pompilius? Raise your hand...
That's what I thought.
I much prefer the Judaic recognition of New Year, Yom Kippur, being a confession of sins, with the implication that you'll try to be better the coming year.
Speaking only for myself, a day of confession would last longer than 24 hours.
Anyway, dying is passe. Everybody does it.
The song has nothing to do with the tone and tenor of my comment. I just like it 'cause he has Lucille by his side.
https://youtu.be/MiK-U4wAM5w
We are diminished by those who are gone, even some of the celebrities - the ones who became famous for actual accomplishment. I write non-fiction history, and with the book I completed this year, I realized that the only World War II vet still around to talk to (gotta call him this morning and wish a happy new year) who's a friend is my sixth grade teacher, the guy who "opened the door" to this life I have led. Those people really were the greatest generation (and not the way Tom Brokaw meant) for what they went through in their lives and the examples they left of how to do it. Which too many of we descendants fail at living up to, I fear.
The one thing that is really good about this New Year's Day is that absolutely none of the disasters I foresaw happening to us in 2022 when I confronted last New Year's Day came to pass. Giving us a new year to see if we have learned anything from how we prevented those disasters.