Thank you to all who attended the golf tournament last week! In yet another heatwave, golfers and volunteers from near and far attended to celebrate Rich’s Birthday. We were happy to see the 2022 scholarship recipient, Brady Carlin, and his family during the dinner we shared.
We hope to see you all again next year!
The Powers family is happy to share that the 2019 Scholarship Recipient, Patrick Gallagher, was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays this summer. Please read more about this Leominster alum in this UConn Blog Post.
Recently, the Powers Family shared more great news, that the selected scholarship recipient for 2022 is Brady Carlin of Leominster. Brady was recently recognized with an Academic Award for his participation on the golf team in the fall.
Please congratulate Brady on his accomplishments, we wish him well and hope to greet him at the golf tournament this summer!
The Powers family is so happy to share that they were able to award a second scholarship for 2021! This scholarship went to Leominster graduate Tyler Smith, who will be attending Worcester State University in the fall of 2021.
Thank you to all of the teams, volunteers, family, and friends who came out to celebrate Rich’s life on Monday, August 2, 2021. It was another scorcher, and was what seemed like the only sunny day amidst a very rainy summer – thank you for the amazing weather, Rich! The Powers family was able to award 2 scholarships this year – to Jack Philbin and Tyler Smith. Thank you to everyone for your generosity that allows these scholarships to be given each year!
It was a great celebration (a day early) of Rich’s birthday – we’re so happy we can celebrate you every year.
THE VISIT BEGINS
August 3, 1989 Richie was born at Burbank Hospital, the decision was made.
According to Albert Einstein, “there are only two ways to live your life.” One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is though everything is a miracle. Richie made his choice early. When Richie went to school he wanted to have many friends and treat them nice, because he enjoyed being treated nice. His smile would beam. This continued at Johnny Appleseed throughout the years. One day Mr. Salvatelli called me into the office, I thought one of my sons or daughter had stepped out of line. “Is everything okay?” (was my question) Mr. Salvatelli brought Richie into the office with me and showed us testing results as good as he had ever seen. Just then Richie said to Mr. Salve can I go out and play with my buddies now. Mr. Salvatelli and I looked at each other, shrugged in approval, and off he went, Richie being Richie.
THE VISIT CONTINUES
Helen Keller once said “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.” Rich was filling out college applications and in his college essay he states “Golf and my family have given me an attitude that keeps me positive and well-motivated. I try to achieve and do the best I can in whatever challenges that arise. Everything that I have done in my life I have earned, nothing has ever been handed to me. I got a call from my Dad one day that seemed pretty random. He said to me on the phone NEVER… I replied “GIVE UP” honestly, it was a natural response to me. Something my father instilled in me at a very young age. One of his students was questioning the learning process and he promised that he could call anyone of his children and he called me and he played the response over his cell phone and I thought it was really cool. It only seemed right for him to call me and show his students what truly counts. What matters. It is a very simple message. Something no one should ever forget. Life can be really hard. NEVER GIVE UP!”
THE VISIT CONTINUES
He went to Bentley University and developed close friendships right away. One of the young men Tim who he roomed with for a few years. They became very supportive of one another. His friendship was strong. They kept in touch quite a bit and did many activities together. Richie found out Tim was getting married and was invited to his wedding on October 4th. Richie sat down with us and decided on gifts and he was very determined to attend this beautiful service. He found the strength to somehow attend this wedding in Jay Peak, Vermont 20 minutes from Canada. With oxygen tanks galore in his car and by his side, Kristin would make sure that he was comforted and enjoyed his visits with his friends. My wife and I were concerned that Richie may not be able to make it there and back so we secretly took the trip to make sure Kristin and Richie had the support they needed. His independence was very important to him. His visit continues.
THE GIFTS
Richie had a need to complete “THE LIST” It was talked about daily during the last weeks of his visit. Jonathan would receive his treasured crucifix to wrap him in love and security forever. Maura, his nurse at Dana Farber, would receive the Jimmy Fund telethon photo and a bottle of Powers Whiskey (to be sipped slowly over time) Jill’s gift, a necklace that shows her support as a sister and as a friend. Kristin, an early birthday gift, a simple loving heart for her to cherish. James his first vehicle, a Leominster blue truck. To Shauna, a letter to be delivered with love. The Hope Lodge in Boston, a place for cancer patients to stay, he wanted to serve dinner to all the patients staying there. He often received meals and wanted to give back. We will be giving back on December 6. Wedding gifts: Many of his friends will be getting married and will receive a wedding gift from Richie. To my Dad a new set of golf clubs to put in his refurbished Bentley golf bag. This should help improve Dad’s game (maybe). To my Mom the patience and understanding, the tolerance to put up with my Dad forever and ever (good luck). Plus some visits to 4 seasons resort (Because I have a hookup Hawaii). To my whole family a cherished visit to St. Andrews golf course to place my redstrong bracelet under the bridge. A visit I couldn’t complete myself because of time.
PROMISES AND BELIEFS
If you start something… you finish it. I live by that. Quitting was never in my vocabulary. I live by that. If you’re going to do it, do it right, I live by that. Talk is cheap and action is scarce. Lead by example. Do what you like and like what you do, possibilities are endless, always forgive I live by that. I want Jonathan to become a teaching golf pro, and to be the best one he can be. To enjoy his profession as much as I enjoyed life itself. Keep the faith and keep the promise. Jill, be happy and search for your dreams. Keep the faith and keep the promise. James, do your best in school, be the best you can be, surround yourself with good friends. Friendship was always very important to me. Follow your dreams and never give up. Please break my golf scoring records. (and he did) Keep the faith and keep the promise. To Mom and Dad, continue to enjoy each other, take family vacations, and enjoy your visit.
THE VISIT
What is a visit? There is nobody on earth who asked to be here. But we are placed on earth. You choose your miracle. Your stay is only a visit, some visits are short and some visits are not long enough but we are all just visitors that happen to bump into each other along the way. Richie’s visit was awesome and he wants you all to understand and make the best of your visit.
As the Powers family sifts through memories, they would like to share a couple of notes that they have received that have truly meant a lot to them. Please enjoy these notes from good friends that were given to Rich’s family.
The 2021 recipient of the RedStrong Memorial Scholarship is Jack Philbin, who will be attending Rich’s alma mater, Bentley University, in the fall of 2021. In college he plans on studying actuarial science and maybe minoring in something that is more focused around business, as well as playing football. Once Jack graduates he hope to pass the actuarial exams and become an actuary, working in a city like Boston. Best of luck to this soon to be falcon! Enjoy your 4 years, Jack, they go by so quick!
Thank you to the 18 teams and all family and friends who came out to celebrate Rich’s life on Monday, August 3, 2020. We had a great, hot, sweaty day celebrating his 31st birthday while raising money to fund the annual scholarship. Yago Miller was presented with the 2020 Scholarship, as well! Congratulations Yago and thank you to all who make it possible to give out this scholarship year over year.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Richie! We all love and miss you, forever.
Another memory shared to Facebook highlighting his true character, by his good friend Joe Stelluto:
Playing any game/sport with Rich was always fun because:
I’ll never forget the cape trip a bunch of us had a couple of years ago where both he and I separately lost all the keys (and spares) to the house after going out and by some grace of God accidentally left the doors unlocked. We were laughing about it the next day when I had to go take apart the door and go to some sketchy locksmith’s house on a Sunday at 9 am to get new keys made. Hilarious memory.