May 10, 2007

  Bob on Dave Parcells
    By Bob Francis, Owner
    soundRUNNER




The corporeal Dave Parcells has left us; his essence occupies that region each of us sets aside in our system of beliefs for people whose impact transcends time and place. His spirit has merged with the energy infusing all of us
as we drive toward the line, reaching deep for a finishing kick. Dave Parcells was an internationally prominent endurance swimmer, successful corporate executive, revered community leader, sporting event promoter, dear friend, and victim of a chronic disease which possibly played a medical role in his untimely passing at age 49.

In the first of what promises to be many fitting tributes, Michael D’Addetta has organized an event at the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club from 6:00–9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23, 2007. A light buffet will be served and a cash bar will be available. Donations will cover the cost of the food. Tickets are $50 per person and checks can be made out to “Swim Across The Sound.” The Club’s address is 2 Club Parkway, Branford, CT 06405 for those using a map site. The public section of the poycc.org web site has a directions link. Anyone not able to attend who wishes to donate in Dave’s honor is encouraged to do so.

The focus I want to bring from Bob’s Lane respects the challenge of chronic disease. Those close to Dave know that after extensive testing last fall, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis. Grappling with the implications, he exchanged poignant messages with another forty-nine year-old person in my life afflicted by chronic disease: my wife and partner Julie. Dave fought back the way he knew best: the man known as the King of Tampa Bay swam a marathon to train for his target swim around Jersey Island, a distance of 41 nautical miles. With no other means available for counteracting MS, Dave elected to endure. Unlike diabetes, whose sufferers have glucometers and insulin pumps to help them battle, MS gives its prey no tools, no technological devices for support.

Sport is ethos, developing character in the Aristotelian system of education. We all toil at our sport beneath the same sun as did Dave Parcells. He taught us well. And we all weep that his toil is done too soon.

Archive of Bob’s Lane

Issue 1: May 1, 2007: Bob on the Bash