Christmas Day, 2006: My Dad, Bob Balewicz, passed away at 76.
It's kinda old, y'all have read it in my bios, articles, etc...but I'll repeat some of it for posterity. The story of how he took me into the woods of Canada on his back, so starting me in freshwater fishing. You see my mom was from Grand Falls, Canada, right over the Maine border. He met her while he was stationed at Loring Air Force base, they married (u should see those pics, it was 25 below zero!) & they lived up there for a few years, (Limestone, ME...go ahead & Google that town!) to before he moved back to Carteret, where I was born, where my Grandmother lived for 75 years, where we all went to St. Joseph's RC church, dad being eulogized there on his passing.
And the fact that I "grew up" on the Raritan Bay, with my dad encouraging me with little aluminum outboard boats, graduating up & up in size & reach until we hit the 'Canyons via my Sportsfihing Biz.
And that we have had, luckily, in our family a house at Chadwick Beach for over 60 years.
It's all added up to a lifetime of fishing, boating and a complete love of the outdoors for me. But what did I learn from him?
- Patience. That some days you catch, others you just fish.
- Quiet. Shut up and fish.
- Work ethic. To this day, some of his early charges in the Pipefitters Union call me (by mistake) & relate just what it was like to apprentice under my dad...& his dad.
- Faith. For a guy who went to church every day he could, what better day to enter Heaven than on Christ's birthday. He was 'prepared'.
My dad started skiing when he was 46 years old. I had already been skiing for 12 years, but we immediately took day trips & 2-3 dayers to VT. That pic below was from our last day skiing together at Okemo just a little over four years ago. He had, only two months earlier, had triple-bypass & as usual, had come back strong.
|
It'll be eight years on November 15th that Rich was taken from us after a valiant fight with cancer. Those of you who fished with me or have followed my site no doubt saw shots of Rich Lenches every so often; read fishing reports that included him, his family & especially his stepson Bobby Dowe, who has been a big supporter of my charter fishing business and a friend as well...or just heard me talk about him. A consummate outdoorsman, Rich hunted deer all seasons in 'Jersey & Pennsy; loved to fish winter flounder (his wife Lorraine thought they tasted so much better than summer 'fluke'); hit the 'Canyons with me now & again but loved to bottom fish most & was one of the best flukers I'd ever met. Rich was a fixture in the Raritan Bay; when he wasn't fishing the Raritan on my early boat(s), my Dad's boat or with his cousin Tommy, he would hop on head-boats at the drop of a hat. Captains on the Sea Pigeon, Freddy C and others in the area would recognize him, I'm sure. Especially with that giant of a stepson of his at his side for the last few years of his life. Rich was my friend for twenty years. I introduced him to his wife, and stood as his best man. He was a professional and personal guide in business and life for me. I last fished with his wife Lorraine; Rich's daughter Patty and grand-daughter Jessica that August, those pics are below as well as one from his last "guy trip" with my good friend Bob Thomas & my Uncle Mo. Pics in the center. I was emptier when he passed and continue to be today, but as he challenged me to be a confident and professional Realtor, and a 'man', the best way to pay respect is to do just that. Rich, calm seas, my friend. I'm sure you're a 'keeper'.
|
The day after my birthday, 2005 I lost a very good friend. Someone who was influential in my boating and fishing 'life', but a helluva guy besides. Some of you clients fished with him as 'mate' a few times, some of my old 'mates' fished with him on fun trips....no one would forget the guy. He was knowledgeable, to the point of making us all crazy (LOL) but helpful, resourceful...you couldn't have a better man on your boat or on your side. Nor a better friend when you were in need. Here's to Bob Wald, safe trip my friend. I'm sure God has a spot on his boat for you. Pics on the right.
|
|
Photo Album Gallery Place Holder - Please wait while the Photo Album loads.
If the album does not show, please refresh the page to try again.
|
|
Photo Album Gallery Place Holder - Please wait while the Photo Album loads.
If the album does not show, please refresh the page to try again.
|
|
Photo Album Gallery Place Holder - Please wait while the Photo Album loads.
If the album does not show, please refresh the page to try again.
|
|
Fishermen's Prayer
I pray that I may live to fish
Until my dying day.
And when it comes to my last cast,
I then most humbly pray:
When in the Lord's great landing net
And peacefully asleep
That in His mercy I be judged
Big enough to keep.
|
|
|
