The spring of 1969 was a good one as I remember. My Mom and Dad signed my brother Joe (8) and me (9) up for an organized baseball team in our new town, Baldwin L.I. The league was known as the Police Boys Club and our team was called the Phillies after the pro team in Philadelphia. Our team was coached by Mr. McGinley and his wife Mrs. McGinley and their youngest son Tommy, my brother Joe's life long friend was on the team. We learned a lot about baseball from the McGinley's in that first year. We were cheered on by Mrs. McGinley and her dad, known as Tommy's Grandpa, who always had a quiet tip or two. For the next several spring seasons we looked forward to playing baseball for the PBC. Our enthusiasm for the sport was well received by our four younger brothers Dan, Chris, Rob and Jimmy who followed, each getting the same tips passed down from us through the McGinley's.
While at St. Christopher's Catholic grammar school in 1971 we were told that our physical education teacher had passed away. I think I was in 5th grade and remember it being bad news. As an eleven year old who had been introduced to sports by my Dad a few years earlier, gym class had become my favorite subject! Physical education was put on hold for a few weeks while the principle could find a new hire. I can remember the buzz and excitement when Bill McGinley was introduced as our new teacher. Bill was the oldest of three boys. I did not know Tommy had brothers. Where were they that first year in 69 while I was playing for the Phillies? Quite a few years older than Tommy, Bill was playing professional baseball in the minor leagues. That explains him not being around that spring and also the knowledge that Mr. and Mrs. McGinley and Grandpa had for baseball! Well, my brothers and I never did make it to the Yankees but the McGinley family would continue to have an impact on my life as I grew up.
Bill was a young college grad and an athlete at a very high level. He had instant credibility with the teaching staff, parents and mainly the kids at St. Chris. Gym class was re-introduced to us as a fun part of our week and it did not end there. He became our health teacher and we got to see him in a suit and tie in a class room setting instead of his sweat suit in the gym. He spoke well and was professional for a 25 year old. Bill was a role model. He was able to organize after school competitive sport teams such as baseball and basketball that coincided with our Christian Youth Organization competitive sport programs which were in place for years. He volunteered his time to coach and teach us. He used his own vehicle, making several trips to get us to a ball fields to play games against public schools, in the area.
As I look back on my life, it comes to mind I have always been part of something good, something special. I found myself very early on in a great family, great faith and great schools. As I think about it now, I feel I had the ability to pay attention to the good people in my life and embrace their influence that made me believe I was always in a good place. One of those special places was being an Altar Boy at St. Christopher Church. Being an Altar boy was bigger than being a basketball player or baseball player. I did not have to think about being ready to serve mass, I just did, every time and always good for seven years! Being up on the Altar gave me a great view of all the faces in the congregation on a Sunday. There were unfamiliar faces, who were important because they made the people I loved like my mother and grandmother stand out even more! There were my classmates and neighborhood friends and others that caught my eye. I was glad we were all there together because I knew we were in a good place.
It was the weekday masses I remember most though, walking to church on ice cold winter mornings in the dark. I thought that the people going to this type of mass even though they did not have to had to be very special. Bill McGinley was one of those people.
As the St. Chris years ended the St. Agnes High School years began. It was a new good place! A lot of new faces and some old ones. Some of my teammates and friends from St. Chris also went there. We were prepared athletically and scholastically to do well. We also had the good fortune of seeing Bill McGinley after school as he had been hired to coach. I remember hearing the news that Bill had been in a car accident and everyone being relieved he would be ok after hurting his legs very badly.
The years flew by at St. Agnes.I am grateful to my parents now for the opportunity and the valued friendships I made while there.
The summer of 1977, I turned 18 and found myself getting ready for college. I had officially hung up my sneakers as my high school basketball and track team days were over. I was ready for the next phase. A few years passed and I met my wife Patti, a beautiful girl from Freeport. The meeting took place at McGinley's pub in Baldwin. Billy, Jack and Tommy McGinley will always be part of my life story. I know Bill will rest in God's peace. I knew him as a very good man a long time ago.