I know what I said last week. Believe me I know. And I knew the second I wrote that it would come back and bite me in the ass. And boy did it ever. Because, for the 4th time this summer we lost
another Surfer. And not just any surfer, an ICON in our community.

Rick Savastano. February 15th, 1954 - August 7th, 2014.



That's four surfers this summer.



Ed O'Connell, John JT Taylor, Allan MacGregor, and now Rick Sav. I am almost at a loss for words. I mean, it is just beyond my scope of what is normal and what is not. How is it possible? Why this summer? What the hell is going on?

I realize that we (or rather me) are getting older. And when you get old, you lose friends. And honestly, all of the surfers who passed this summer were at least 60. Rick was 60, JT was 60, Allan was 62, and Ed was 67. But I'm sure a lot of you have friends and relatives who are in their 60's, and they're more than likely pretty active and youthful in appearance. So being 60 is not what it was years ago.

Being 60 is just another faze. I know, I'm living proof of it.

It is not the end. Good lord, not even close. So it's hard to comprehend these endless losses this summer. Just incredible. Beyond words. Four in one summer. And like all the others, I was not ready for Rick to pass.

I was just with him and we talked about the future. We talked about
the surfing community, the beach, the outrigger paddling, the annual summer party that he and his siblings have had each summer. The infamous Oom Mow Mow party.


Pictured above, the party makers themselves. The family Savastano. Rick, Barbara, and Johnny Sav. In their glory. The Aloha shirts and leis, and the atmosphere of those parties will ring on for most of us who were able to make that scene.

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend almost every single one of them. And I was according to Rick and John the ONLY band that played there to actually sing and perform "Papa Oom Mow Mow!"
In fact, I think I was the first ever live performer at the annual party. I know that since that time, King's Highway has played. Alex Reola
and his talented daughters have played.



Rick was the one who gave us the greenlight to bring live music to the party. That of course changed everything. Because anyone who knows me, knows that I am not one for keeping the volume down. So the noise ordinance was in affect after 10PM.



Speaking of music, Rick was also the man with the concept behind getting the MAKAHA SONS to come to the Seacoast each summer for several years. He brought the most beautiful music to New Hampshire when he had these talented and funny musicians come each year. I am certain that brother Jerome will be heartbroken when he hears about Rick's passing. As we all are.

And if anyone who knows Rick Sav well enough, they will tell you, that Rick Sav was one of the BIGGEST fans of the New England Patriots. I mean, he was a TRUE fan. He loved that team. He ate, slept, and drank that team. Along with his wife Janet, and siblings. There was no shame in being upset over a loss.

In fact, I can't tell you how many times, I have spoken with Rick after a devastating loss. He was one of the few people in my life who truly understood the pain and anguish of losing a game. I know it sounds silly. But it's true.

Imagine how happy I was to be able to take Rick to a game at Foxboro and sit in the Box of the Boston Globe. It was one of the few times in my life where I was able to share the good fortunes of having close friends in the Globe who would from time to time get me comp tickets. This was one of those times.



This is myself, Max, John Sav, and Rick Sav. The Fatello boys and the Savastano boys at Gillette stadium in Foxboro, MA. This was a fun night for sure. True blue fans right here. No question.

It's hard to believe that the Patriots will play this season without Rick. It's just a bitter pill to swallow. I will see games with Johnny Sav at Tony's house. And I will be texting Barbara during the games. But my post game "talk me off the ledge session" will no longer be there. And it will be times like that when it will really hit me. Rick is gone.



Rick was a surfer. He was a child of the 60's. He surfed. Loved custom cars. Loved the Beach Boys and later in his life he got into
the outrigger Hawaiian canoes. He loved it. Paddling for hours along North Beach. He and his brother and their crew. They had a special bond at the beach.



Rick was lucky enough to be able to take one last paddle. He did it just 6 weeks ago. In July...here's a cellphone pic taken by his sister Barbara as he walked down the sandy path to launch what would be his final voyage.



Paddle hard brother. Don't give up. Keep paddling...keep smiling.

We will all see you again. And we will wait for signs from you.
Like I whispered in your ear that last day...we will be waiting Rick. Keep paddling...you're almost home.

Before I close on this sad news, there will be a SURFER'S PADDLE For Rick Savastano on Sunday, August 24th, 2014 at 6:00PM at Plaice Cove (where we had the Paddle for Molly in 2009). It's directly across the street from Cinnamon Rainbows.

The more traditional wake and services are below from his brother Johnny Sav.

Visiting hours are today Sunday 4-8PM at the Paul C. Rogers funeral home, 2 Hillside Ave., Amesbury, Mass....on Monday a memorial service will be held at the same location, 10 am.....followed by the burial at St. James Cemetery in Haverhill. We will then return to Rick and Janet's house and share stories, smiles and great memories....thanks, John Sav .

"Surfing Heals All Wounds"