A Hero Moves On

I just learned that the great Heavyweight boxing champion Floyd Patterson died. http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2006/05/12/sports-pattersontrib-05-12.html

I met Floyd more than thirty-five years ago, when I was an idolizing kid and he was a world famous but aging boxer.

I wrote about the experience in my book, Life's Missing Instruction Manual www.lifesmissingmanual.com

Floyd gave nobility to a brutal sport. One writer said, "Patterson's best teaching tool was simply being himself, a kind-hearted, generous gentleman who carried himself well in public, signing autographs, speaking at community centers, visiting local seniors and bringing holy communion to the housebound."

I no longer care about boxing, and haven't in decades, but I'll never forget the kindness of the great Floyd Patterson.

He was one of my early heroes.

I miss him.

Ao Akua,

Joe
www.mrfire.com

PS - Today is my father's birthday. He took me to see Floyd when I was a kid. Thank you again for that, Dad.