So beautifully written, Allison. You captured Rich so accurately. I still can’t believe that he is gone so I can’t imagine how you do this everyday. When you mention him and sports, I always thought he missed his calling as a sportswriter since he was so knowledgeable and a great writer. Way back in the day, he used to do a write up of 24 and I would get annoyed if it wasn’t ready the next day because it was so good! I will still never understand the appeal of leaving for a tailgate at the break of dawn or why there was never an upgrade to Smokey Joe. He is missed for many reasons but one in particular is that Brett is now stuck with just me and the girls for hockey talk. Needless to say, I don’t have the Lemieux knowledge. I think of you and the girls often and hope you continue to have the strength and fortitude you’ve shown through this.
With love to you guys and happy birthday Rich
This is so touching and just beautiful. From the times my family and I got to spend with Rick I will remember him as quiet, confident, kind and very friendly. Always there with a smile and good conversation but never hogging the spotlight. Happy Birthday Rick. We are sending hugs and warm thoughts to all of you from Atlanta.
Love
Julie and Jay
Dear Allison, The best decision Rick ever made was to ask you to marry him. And I’m so glad you said “Yes”! Thank you for opening your heart to all of us with such beautiful thoughts and sharing about Rick. Now everyone knows what a wonderful person he was, as I always knew. You, Emma and Aubrey are in my embrace forever. Love...Beth/Meme
Allison, Emma and Aubrey - Uncle Bill and I are with you today to share some of our loving thoughts of our beloved Rick. Rick (that's how we knew him!) came into our lives 50 years ago when his mommy and daddy brought him home from the hospital and we got to meet him. I don't remember much about those times until he was probably 6 months old. I was babysitting and managed to sneak him away from home to take him to a professional photographer in Wilkinsburg (suburb of Pittsburgh) for some really cute baby pictures. It was a surprise Christmas present for Beth and Dick. Those pictures are still around somewhere. Imagine me driving this little (well he wasn't really that little!) baby in my car with no car seat or seat belt, etc.? How did I do it? There are so many other memories of times with the Perkins family that I will have to write them down separately for you. But more recently we think of how the "Cousins" have maintained such a wonderful closeness over the years, integrating the spouses into the close-knit group. That is a special relationship that I hope the next generation of cousins can develop. Thank you for sharing all your loving thoughts of Rick. We miss him terribly and wish we could hold you all to help ease your pain. We will join you in the toast this evening! Much love!
Allison - this is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing so much of your heart. When I think of Rich, I always think of Allison’s & Rich’s “first date” which Allison dragged me on with her. All three of us were working for Gartner at the time and in Orlando working at a conference. Rich had been hanging around the Press Room where Allison and I were working and finally mustered the courage to ask Allison to dinner that night, to which she promptly responded “sure, but Christy is coming too.” I’m sure he must have deflated a bit, but he certainly didn’t show it and went along it just to get to spend some time with Allison.
I was not interested in being the third wheel that evening and expressed that to Allison, but she didn’t care and made me come along. In the short time I spent at that dinner before making an excuse and getting the heck out of there, Rich was gracious, funny and kind and did not make me feel like a third wheel at all, even though I’m sure he was just counting the minutes until he could have Allison all to himself. It was really cool to watch the beginnings of their relationship during that week in Orlando and see it grow over the next 20 years.
My memories of Rich always start with Pittsburgh (particularly when his Penguins beat my Sharks in the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals), burgers, scotch and a rocky ferry ride to Block Island with the two of us heading to meet up with Allison to start their wedding festivities, not to mention the countless times he would give up time with Allison so I could steal her away for a few hours whenever I was visiting CT.
Allison, Thank you for sharing these memories! Such a truly beautiful relationship. I remember specifically you introducing me to Rich at my wedding to dear Doug. I can remember the big smile on your face and how happy you were. I was so happy for you. I haven’t forgotten the excitement on your face during that introduction and I can’t put into words the pain I feel for you now. He will be there with you until you see him again. Keep examining those photos, take your time, everything in just time. Love you dearly my friend. Know that I think of you DAILY. xoxo Catherine
We’ve never met, and I hadn’t seen Rich since SSA. We were friendly, but I wouldn’t say we were friends. That being said, he left an impression. I remember him being hysterically funny and even more importantly, someone who treated everyone the same. With respect.
As luck would have it I had just made plans without my son’s hockey coach to meet his family for dinner tonight.....at the Primanti’s here in Michigan. I’ll be sure to raise my sandwich to Rich and in my heart I’ll share it with him.
Allison, when I got the notice from Caring Bridge that you posted something I almost deleted it. After all, Beth had written a sweet tribute on Facebook and, as I didn’t know either you or Rick personally I thought that was enough. How wrong I was. After
reading your tribute I now know Rick and what an amazing individual he was. You presented a man who was such a special individual that I now understand how much pain you, Beth and Sarah must feel. I wish I had met him. What a wonderful remembrance for you and the girls.
Allison- This is so beautiful. Such a touching tribute to a wonderful man, gone way too damn soon. The memories you, the girls and Rich's family have are priceless and forever, hold on to them. You talk about Rich being so strong, and he was- so so strong- but so are you. Your strength amazes me. We love you and the girls and are hugging you so tight today and the days ahead. Emma and Aubs- we love you girls and are so glad you are part of our world.- Stephanie, Steve, Ella and Alex
With love to you guys and happy birthday Rich