Mike Egan was my best friend during school and I loved his family....still do. As an only child I loved to hang out at his house where there were 7 kids....Michael, Kathleen, Maureen, Terrence, Patrick, Colleen, and Sheila Eileen. Yes, Irish catholic obviously. His dad, Charlie, said he'd have claimed me on his taxes except he already had one Patrick. Charlie was one of the funniest men I have ever known and when it came to wakes/funerals, Charlie was the guy to have on hand. I will never forget one funeral where a particularly glum bunch of people were standing apart. Charlie walked over and then offered his hand saying, "My name's Spalding...Played with my balls haven't you?" Within 5 minutes the entire group was telling humorous stories of the deceased.

When Charlie died I walked into the room where he was and went up to his wife Millie first gave her a hug. She said, "Pat, he really looks good doesn't he? Of course he should since he just got out of the hospital. Now you know that I wouldn't say that, but Charlie would if he were here." And frankly, Charlie was there. Karen and I spent the next several hours with the Egan clan sharing stories of Charlie and our childhoods, and for most of that time it was very hard not to feel Charlie's presence in the laughter. He left a great gift to his family and to many others as well, myself included.

Spaw