1st Annual Toast to Paul August 14 6pm at Novita ( start time 5pm ) and Simultaneous Zoom for worldwide Redfans and much more details below

Beasts of the East said:
A lot has been already said about Las night and I agree with all the great things that were said. To a man every one at Novita (and on the zoom) were present not so much to.
mourn Paul, but to thank him and his family in the best way possible- by helping them with out. Very few people can navigate the costs of a catastrophic long term illness. Insurance goes only so.far, and though we have the best healthcare on earth, there are deductibles, out of network costs, copay, maximum hospital days and many other costs that can overwhelm hard working families. Then of course there is the issue of making up the loss of income sustained by families. In a word it sucks.

What Red.fans has done is incredible. A long time ago I started a memorial fund for a classmate that still has assets today. I say this not to bring any attention to myself but to tell you how amazing Mike Maher is as a human being. Mike knows more of us than anyone, and has rallied the troops to give, give some more, and even more again. More than anyone here he has been deeply affected by Paul's passing and it's that deep heartfelt grief that Mike turned into action. I'd say God bless Mike but He already has. My prayer then is for God to continue to bless Mike and Nat. One of the very best that sju has produced.

In no way does singling out Mike diminish the amazing generosity and work many others have done in the wake of Paul's death. Mike is the first to say that. I told him to soak it on, because he just led a fantastic response and I don't think anyone else could have done this as well.

Now for Max - well he and I go way back to an evening where his youngest brother got to play bball at halftime at CA when he was about ten. I'd been texting Paul during the game and then met Max, two of his brothers, his sister, and Paul's mom. I showed them the then brand new HOF room and we took photos.

Max is an incredible man. I'll call him that because it's how his mom Kay refers to him. He came here last night from Tulsa, for the sole purpose of extending his family's deep thanks for the help red.fans has provided. Max was living in Virginia, came home to help.out during the dark days of the worst of Paul's illness. On his own volition, he is going to stay in Tulsa to.be a guiding force for his youngest brother who is now 16 with no timetable on when he will leave.

I.hope Max stays active as a poster on red.fans. We could learn a lot from him, and last night he made a mess of new friends. As the saying goes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and in this case both Paul and Kay have built a terrific family. We are all blessed to know them and will continue to know them better over time.

God bless you all.
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Well said, and echoed by all on here. Beautiful sentiments.
 
SJUNC said:
I was unavailable the last few days but was able to make a small donation today. Was hoping we could still fall under that match window you mentioned earlier.
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When the silent donor found out about TommyO coming through huge with the $2500 donation at Novita he was confident that enough money would come in from Novita that he donated the full 5k match after the toast on the donation tab

No donation too late to help Paul’s family
 
I was unable to attend the gathering at Novita, have been busy getting my granddaughter ready for her first year of college. She leaves for Sacred Heart University Friday. If you ask her, she would tell you that I am having separation anxiety, which is probably true, lol.

Made a donation yesterday in appreciation for all Paul has contributed to the St John's community. I never met him in person but had many conversations with him on redfans. His son was going to be in New York around five or six years ago and Paul asked if I would meet with him. It just so happened that when his son visited my home, Lamont Hamilton was also visiting. The three of us had a wonderful time reminiscing about St John's basketball.

May Paul continue to SIP.
 
panther2 said:
I was unable to attend the gathering at Novita, have been busy getting my granddaughter ready for her first year of college. She leaves for Sacred Heart University Friday. If you ask her, she would tell you that I am having separation anxiety, which is probably true, lol.

Made a donation yesterday in appreciation for all Paul has contributed to the St John's community. I never met him in person but had many conversations with him on redfans. His son was going to be in New York around five or six years ago and Paul asked if I would meet with him. It just so happened that when his son visited my home, Lamont Hamilton was also visiting. The three of us had a wonderful time reminiscing about St John's basketball.

May Paul continue to SIP.
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FWIW, one of my neighbors daughter going into her sophomore year at Sacred Heart, loves it!! Good luck to your granddaughter……
 
That was fun! As always, great to meet up with my friends again in Garden city. Thanks to the social coordinator, and others involved, with the seemless planning and execution of the event. Particularly appreciated the very positive outlook on the season, and program in general, expressed by many of you far more in the know than me regarding new recruits, transfers and our conference competitors. Stark contrast to my gloom and doom red white view.
 
carmineabbatiello said:
That was fun! As always, great to meet up with my friends again in Garden city. Thanks to the social coordinator, and others involved, with the seemless planning and execution of the event. Particularly appreciated the very positive outlook on the season, and program in general, expressed by many of you far more in the know than me regarding new recruits, transfers and our conference competitors. Stark contrast to my gloom and doom red white view.
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Was awesome to have you there Carmine. Another guy my St. John’s friend universe would be less without Paul.

Carmine and I met Lavins first year on the infamous Slyfox bus trip to Villanova. Nat and I wouldn’t have known about the bus trip if someone didn’t put it on this site.

Carmine comes up and says something like “ hey MJ “ he was on JJ I think exclusively at the time but we’ve been friends ever since
 
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