A New Year With New Tragedies and New Hope. And oh yea, the Patriots pull a Rabbit out of their asses last night.

I have close friends of mine who are forever saying to me, "I can't believe how many people you know who pass away." And I don't really know how to answer that. I suppose it's true. And clearly the older I get, the more truth there is to that statement. But honestly? Even I have to stop and shake my head from time to time.

The truth is, I write a semi local surf blog. And sometimes, the people and friends I write about hit these bumps in the road. It's called life. Yes it's surfing, but as we all know, it's more than just surfing. It's always been more. Things happen that affect us. Whether it's personal or global.

Shit happens and we have to deal with it.

And with me being the sort of local town crier here with this blog I share these unfortunate events. It's almost like I have to. Like it is an online newspaper and I have to get the story out. But you all know that it's more than that with me. It's personal most times. I know the people. I know the families. I know the deceased.

So when it happens, I clear my head and try my best.

This week was another one of those weeks. We lost three individuals who have had a direct impact on my life and on some of you as well. Starting with the passing of Deb White. Deb was the wife of the bass player for The NOR'EASTERS. Mike "Whitey" White.

I have personally known Whitey for many years prior to the forming of the NOR'EASTERS. The Easters started in 1988 and we are still together. Not playing out each week per se, but still a band who plays from time to time. The same original members.



Myself on guitar and vocals, my brother Johnny on guitar and vocals, Whitey on bass and vocals, and drummer Lenny Dunn. To say we have been on many a road trip and played many a gig would be a gross mis understatement. We were a a Blues/Rock band that played ALL OVER New England. We all knew each other inside and out.

So clearly, when Mike married Deb we all knew who Deb was.



Deb was a tall beautiful blonde, who was the perfect match for Whitey. They looked great together. Those early days before kids, were so much fun. Deb was at most of the Boston shows and hung out with my wife Cory and they became instant friends. Once the kids started to come the girls spent less time in the clubs and more time being moms. Still we all stayed in touch.

Mike and Deb have two sons. Tyler and Christopher. It was always a treat getting the annual Christmas card from them. As parents we loved seeing the boys grow up over the years. Deb passed away on January 7th, 2015 from a brain tumor that was discovered the day after Christmas in 2013.

Words can't describe the sadness we all feel for Mike and the boys. But we are all blessed for having known Deb for all the years we did. There will be a celebration of her life on Sunday January 18th, 2015
at the First Congregational Church, 519 Washington St., Whitman, MA at 3:00 p.m. May God watch over them and may she rest in eternal peace.

There have been times over the years when I would sit back and listen to my good friend Tony talk with his dad on the phone after a big NFL game. His dad Tony Sr was a huge Chargers fan while Tony was one of us, a Patriots fan. Year after year they would talk after and during the games. I loved to witness it. It was a great father and son bond.

Tony called his dad "Coach." He knew his football that's for sure.

His dad helped build the B-29's during WWII. And last year I made a short video of Tony flying in a vintage B-29 at Beverly Airport. He gave it to his dad the next time he was out in San Diego. I guess Tony Sr loved it. That made me feel good. Tony passed away this week at the young age of 96.



Here is a photo of Tony and his wife Rhea from 1936.
Rest in Peace Coach, and thank you for your service in building
those B-29's. You truly helped save the world.

Later this week, the news hit that local Rhode Island surf photographer Joe McGovern passed away. What? It was true.
Joe who started surfing in 1964 died while surfing in Florida this past week. It was a small day and apparently Joe hit his head on either the sand or his board, and drowned. He was 64.



The truth is, Joe and I were never really close. We both knew of each other over the years but we never hung out or shared any pics or anything like that. He knew of me and I knew of him. And then along came Facebook and we actually started to communicate with one another. At one point I jokingly said, "Joe how the hell is it that we never hung out? Or at the very least crossed paths?" He laughed and said we had met a few times over the years during surf contests but it was always brief. I said that "we need to change that and get together and share stories and pics/movies some day." He agreed.



And we had planned to do that. But now he's gone. Sigh. RIP Joe.

This section of the blog will not end with more bad news. This section will end with hope and positive results. Longtime local surf family the Evans are now front and center with a battle that no one saw coming. Rick and Karen Evans and their three kids have been around these parts for as long as anyone I know.

One of the original "Surf Family Robinson Alumni" we all raised our families here on the seacoast. They have three kids. Meghan, Matt, and Mikey. We all know each other. We have all lived through the good times and the bad times together. Well, life has a way of getting in the way sometimes.

Last month Meghan was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hogkins Lymphoma. That's the scary news, the good news is, it was detected early enough and is a winnable battle. And it is a battle that we will win. The BATTLE Lines have been drawn and the support system is already in place.

There is strength in numbers. There is strength in positive thinking. And there is the absolute power of prayer and more importantly, the power of LOVE.



There is a benefit planned for this coming Wednesday at FLATBREAD in Hampton (see next column) and there is a place where anyone can go to make a donation. Any TD Bank will take a donation in care of Meghan Evans.

This is a battle that we can and will win. But we need your help. Please dig a little deeper this week.

"SURFING, COMMUNITY, and LOVE HEALS ALL WOUNDS"