Dearly Departed, Gone But Not Forgotten

This page stands as a memorial to the former players, friends and family members who have shuffled off their mortal coils and are awaiting our arrivals in the after life. Though they are no longer with us here, they are forever in our minds, hearts and prayers.

• Mar. 17, 2012 -  Thomas C. Messina’s mother, Alice Messina, passed away Saturday around 4:00 am after battling several health issues for years. She was 80 years old. Hopefully, she has found peace.
• Feb. 13, 2012 - It has been 27 years since our rugby brother died in a traffic accident over in Australia at the age of 30. Tony was bigger than life. He was a wild man for sure, but his heart was as big as he was. Nobody could match Tony in a maul. It may have been his favorite part of the game. Nothing gave him more satisfaction than entering a maul when the opposing side was controlling the ball, only to end up turning around to present the ball to his scrumhalf. He was a  naturally very strong man and did something to his opponents’ fingers in the maul that made them give up the ball up to him.
• Dec. 25, 2011 - Gregory Mullins, also known as Blob, died Christmas Day. When he passed, Mullins’ condition went down hill very quickly. He played rugby with the old Cleveland East Side club. He will be missed because of his wit and friendship. Mullins is due to be  cremated and a party will be held in his honor to celebrate his life. More to follow later.
• Dec. 1, 2011 - Old Boys Harry and Sean McDonald’s mother, Vonna McDonald, passed away at the Hospice of the Western Reserve. The wake was help Dec. 2, 2011 at Schulte & McMahon-Murphy, 5252 Mayfield Rd. in Lyndhurst. The following Tuesday a mass was held at St. Ann’s in Cleveland Hts.
• Oct. 19, 2011 - Keith Brown of Chicago, IL passed away in mid-October from cancer. Keith served many years as President of the Chicago Lions RFC. Several of us in the Cleveland area knew Keith through his friendship with Old Boy Tim Swift, who played with many of us at Ohio University and then in Cleveland. Tim worked and played rugby in Chicago for several years and that is when he met Keith. Several of us met Keith when playing in Chicago tournaments. Keith was a great guy and truly a Good Will Ambassador of the game we all love.
• May 29, 2011 - Mike Carl’s mother, Doris, passed away in late May. Mike Carl has been Commissioner of the High School Rugby League since it’s inception. He has been instrumental in bringing rugby to the high school level. Mike’s one of those guys that’s more comfortable staying in the background but has probably done more than anyone to spread the game of rugby in our area.
• May 24, 2011 - The death of a Geauga County judge who was hit by a car while riding his bicycle near his home Monday has renewed an old argument over how cars can best share roads with bikers and pedestrians.Juvenile and Probate Judge Charles “Chip” Henry, 53, of Auburn Township near Chagrin Falls, was riding his bicycle north on Rapids Road at 7:35 p.m. when he was struck by a car driven north by Kelly Cox, 42, of Troy Township… (The rest of the story can be found on the Plain Dealer Web site.)