My friend died Saturday morning. He was a wonderful man - an inspiration to me and to many, many others. Last year I dedicated my race to him because of his perserverence and positive nature and his continuous will to live and struggle against cancer. This year, sadly, I will dedicate my race to his memory.
He was a man of character who lived the life he knew was right. A patriot and loving father and husband, with a strong intellect, a deep abiding faith, and an unfailing positive outlook on life, he cared deeply for his family, his friends, his community and his nation. He was accomplished in many things, he was a writer, philosopher, media personality, musician, teacher, inspirational speaker, editor, athlete and pundit. Yet what he was most proud of was that he was a father and a husband and a friend. A towering figure, he cherished the moments when he was just a regular guy, hanging out with the other dads in the neighborhood, watching his kids play basketball or swim of sing or play an instrument. He was true to his words, and he lived a great life.
He loved so many, he laughed often, and he made the most of every single day. This year I will dedicate my race to his memory as just one tiny gesture of thanks for the compass that he provided, one which guides me still as a man, a father, and a citizen. I hope there are many tributes to this great man who died too young at 53.
John O'Donohue wrote these words in his book "To Bless the Space Between Us:" May you see the reflection/Of you life's kindness and beauty/In all the tears that fall for you.
There have been and will be many tears shed for my friend.
But he would have said "Don't sit around moping, get out there and DO something!" And so we will. We will race, and we will raise funds and awareness and we will fight to remove cancer as a cause of death. I have no doubt that we can do it, and that some day we will lose far fewer of these wonderful people in the prime of their lives.
JMcConville
Tony with me and his sister Jenny at last year's Nation's Triathlon.
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