Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Gentleman Patrick McMahon has impacted so many lives that they are difficult to list in this dissertation. I believe that it was back in 1965 when I first met Patrick. I was a member of a rock band. I really don't remember where he came from or why he was there. I assumed that he accompanied his friend and neighbor Bob when Bob joined the band. We held practice every Sunday afternoon and Patrick often attended, probably for the lack of better things to do. The band members became accustomed to his steady presence, somewhat like the fifth Beatle. We made him more or less our agent. He was a very gregarious individual. He loved people, especially the female gender. He wasn’t shy around girls. He helped the band with the movement of gear to and from venues. He also kept his eyes and ears open for possible engagements and was actually successful a couple of times. At the invitation of a crafty young priest, our practice hall was a vacated Catholic church still owned by the parish. We weren’t charged to use the premises for practice or for equipment storage. The young priest offered the premises to us knowing that our presence would draw other teens there and build up the CYO. Of course, the band felt obligated to perform at Church functions pro bono whenever music was required. Teens came to listen to our band practice, sometimes turning it into an impromptu dance event. We had fun in those days. The CYO was very active and we all enjoyed it. That could have been a reason Patrick kept coming back.
Over the next year, Patrick and I became good friends. I visited his home on Maplewood Avenue often and I got along with his parents nicely. We always had a good time listening to records. I'm still reminded of those times when I hear certain songs. Over the years, I have collected those same albums. Because of Patrick's gregariousness, I was also able to meet people across town that I probably wouldn't have if not for Patrick. Some of those people are still my dear friends today.
Then I left for the Marines. When I returned home after four years, I floundered for a couple of months. I discovered that most of my friends have either moved away or married or otherwise chased their ambitions. One day I decided to try to find Patrick. It wasn't difficult because while driving down Maplewood Avenue, I spotted Patrick's father, Mr. McMahon, standing in front of the same house where they lived before. I stopped to say hello and asked about Patrick. Mr. McMahon explained that Mrs. McMahon had passed away and that Patrick is now married to Sheila. Patrick has been in the Air Force and they now have a baby girl named Kelly. He gave me directions to where Patrick lived and I went there. That is the point where my new life began.
Over the next few weeks, I met Sheila's sister Coleen. She and I began to date. The engagement started a year later followed by marriage a year after that, followed by the birth of our son Jason 10 months after that, followed by the birth of our son Daniel 5 years after that. Never mind mentioning my grandchildren and great grandchild. It is now 50 years later and still counting. Besides Patrick's amazing legacy, his friendship also launched my legacy.
Rest in Peace my Friend. - Otto
