My father's passing

[Free Weyinmi]

www.legacy.com/obituaries/theledger/obituary.aspx?n=william-whitford-ward&pid=169606566&

It was my father who introduced me to PC basketball, among many other things:

We moved to Sandwich, on Cape Cod, from Bridgeport, CT when I was 10, back in the winter 1964/65. We were living in what had been our summer cottage, set amongst mostly other summer cottages, so it was isolated during the winter and I knew no one at first. My father came home one day having heard a suggestion that we try watching a Providence College basketball game, and to look for a kid named Jimmy Walker. Our TV antenna was attached to a long metal pole, stretching from above the peak of the roof all the way down to the ground, and bracketed to the side of the house. The brackets were intentionally loose enough such that you could grip the metal pole and turn it to point the antenna toward either Boston or Providence. So we turned it toward Providence, turned on channel 10, and I watched my first PC game. I was immediately hooked. Watching those games is what got me through that first winter.

18 years later I found myself working at Providence College for a while.

Thanks for everything, Dad, and for giving us such interesting lives.

[wtm97]

May he Rest in Peace...

Thank you for sharing the PC antenna pole thing - not only did your Dad's clever expertise bring Jimmy Walker into your life but you also got to hear the late great Chris Clark call the games!!!

[Rock]

Quite a life! Congrats on having such an amazing father and may be sit in Gods kingdom and shine down on the fine son he raised.

[4friars]

May he rest in peace

Thanks for sharing the stories. My ties to PC also started with my Father and his love of the Friars.

[dex]

Thanks kindly for sharing your story with us Free Weyinmi. I never get tired of hearing how we were each introduced to our Friars. Yes indeed your Dad was an interesting man and a man of Faith. Consequently, there's a special place for him with the Lord. My condolences to you Free and the Ward Family during this very difficult time.

Blessings

[dmac80]

Feb 10, 2014 8:41:18 GMT -5 4friars said:

Thanks for sharing the stories. My ties to PC also started with my Father and his love of the Friars.

Same. I didn't even go to PC yet Here I am still probably my favorite team of all that I root for. I vividly remember going on campus with my Dad and his fellow alumn and PC roommate to cheer for the team at a final four rally in 87 and I remember some of my first arena experiences watching the Murdock teams play.....it was a huge thrill late at night during the week attending games here and there.

RIP to your dad Free Weyinmi, very cool story about pointing the old school antenna towards Providence....