Not sure where to start. He was put in the HPHS hall of fame , He was also my best friend.
We were different in so many ways, and alike in so many others. We both lost a parent within 6 months of each other, our senior year in high school. I was a pall bearer in his moms funeral, and I was also one for him. We got in way more trouble than we should have. The stories I could tell, well you had to be there. I think they made us stronger people.
I was a groomsman for him and Nancy, and he was in my wedding as well. He became successful beyond his wildest dreams. He never forgot his friends. Even in our later years, before he got sick, we had some of our best times.
He fought ALS for 11 years. The expected lifetime, once diagnosed is 5 years. He was in a wheel chair a long time. About a year before he passed. We were messing around at his house. I got right in his face, he could not move his hands or legs, nothing. We were laughing, and I said " there is nothing you can do to me right now". He is laughing, I am laughing. I said" you cant catch me". You cant do anything.
He said, " Dempsey, I would give one million $ to get one last shot at you". I was laughing so hard, and so was he. You have to understand, that when he got the disease, he said to me, " I dont want you to treat me any different than our relationship has been for the last 40 years". You need to do that for me. I complied with his wishes.
As our 50th reunion approaches, all I can say is, I miss my friend.
The greatest memories that I have of Tim, during my High School years, were how much he made me laugh, (especially challenging in study hall with "Alice" hovering). Although seemingly tough on the outside, I knew even then, that he was a good, kind soul. Little did I know, at the time, that he would marry my sister! :)
Fast forward, their love story produced 3 amazing children and 6 beautiful grandchildren. Tim became extremely successful early on, (with no need to hopscotch on the heels of others), undoubtly due to his magnetic personality. I felt priviledged to have him as a brother in law, and an uncle to my children. He always showed up, (just thinking back, how he sat through all our daughters, 3+ hour dance recitals, year after year, with pleasure and enthusiasm). He brought that same positive energy everywhere, which so enriched the "Galassini family" dynamic... We were so lucky! My sister and I were fortunate to have shared many family vacations together throughout the years and with Tim at the helm, it was more fun than you can even imagine...we will always cherish those memories.
Tim was an incredible example of perserverance and tenacity, especially made crystal clear in his last years. THANK YOU FOR THE COUNTLESS HAPPY MEMORIES TIM. OUR FAMILY LOVES AND MISSES YOU.. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE KNOWN YOU AND SO BLESSED TO HAVE HAD YOU IN OUR LIVES. XO, MARY
ps I'm sorry to the girl I pushed off the courtyard wall (senior year) who was flirting :/
Ray Dempsey (Dempsey)
Not sure where to start. He was put in the HPHS hall of fame , He was also my best friend.
We were different in so many ways, and alike in so many others. We both lost a parent within 6 months of each other, our senior year in high school. I was a pall bearer in his moms funeral, and I was also one for him. We got in way more trouble than we should have. The stories I could tell, well you had to be there. I think they made us stronger people.
I was a groomsman for him and Nancy, and he was in my wedding as well. He became successful beyond his wildest dreams. He never forgot his friends. Even in our later years, before he got sick, we had some of our best times.
He fought ALS for 11 years. The expected lifetime, once diagnosed is 5 years. He was in a wheel chair a long time. About a year before he passed. We were messing around at his house. I got right in his face, he could not move his hands or legs, nothing. We were laughing, and I said " there is nothing you can do to me right now". He is laughing, I am laughing. I said" you cant catch me". You cant do anything.
He said, " Dempsey, I would give one million $ to get one last shot at you". I was laughing so hard, and so was he. You have to understand, that when he got the disease, he said to me, " I dont want you to treat me any different than our relationship has been for the last 40 years". You need to do that for me. I complied with his wishes.
As our 50th reunion approaches, all I can say is, I miss my friend.
Mary Galassini (Knochel)
The greatest memories that I have of Tim, during my High School years, were how much he made me laugh, (especially challenging in study hall with "Alice" hovering). Although seemingly tough on the outside, I knew even then, that he was a good, kind soul. Little did I know, at the time, that he would marry my sister! :)
Fast forward, their love story produced 3 amazing children and 6 beautiful grandchildren. Tim became extremely successful early on, (with no need to hopscotch on the heels of others), undoubtly due to his magnetic personality. I felt priviledged to have him as a brother in law, and an uncle to my children. He always showed up, (just thinking back, how he sat through all our daughters, 3+ hour dance recitals, year after year, with pleasure and enthusiasm). He brought that same positive energy everywhere, which so enriched the "Galassini family" dynamic... We were so lucky! My sister and I were fortunate to have shared many family vacations together throughout the years and with Tim at the helm, it was more fun than you can even imagine...we will always cherish those memories.
Tim was an incredible example of perserverance and tenacity, especially made crystal clear in his last years. THANK YOU FOR THE COUNTLESS HAPPY MEMORIES TIM. OUR FAMILY LOVES AND MISSES YOU.. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE KNOWN YOU AND SO BLESSED TO HAVE HAD YOU IN OUR LIVES. XO, MARY
ps I'm sorry to the girl I pushed off the courtyard wall (senior year) who was flirting :/