A farewell to Old Friends.

With the recent passing of some of Fred's News friends, great memories surface.  Pee Wee, a grumpy sort of man, was very much an observer.  Although the man was not classified as a regular, he was a lifelong resident of the area.  Born of the generation where nicknames where attached almost at birth, his moniker, fit.  Yes, he was small in stature, but his overall grumpiness was larger than life.  Unfortunately, his immediate "friends" realized this weakness and preyed upon it.  They were never disappointed with Pewee's response,  taking joy in the fact they would drive him from the restaurant.  He always returned, grumpier than ever.

Today we learned that a very close friend, fierce defender and regular at Fred's News, has passed.  A simple man, who truly believed and often remarked, "I'm no king, I don't need a castle to live in," introduced many people to the joys of the simple life.  Al Philips enjoyed fishing, camping, horses,  trapping blue crabs and just sitting in his yard talking with friends.  We first met Al soon after we became owners of Fred's News.  Although his home, located at the top of Plain Hill Road, just "up the road a piece" from the Spielman Farm, was just a small trailer, big enough for only him, his door was always open, welcoming anyone who would stop by.  His stories, numerous, his accomplishments the same,  Al served his country during the Korean Conflict.  His stories of the cold harsh winter at the Chosen reservoir, unbelievable. Al was hurt during his tour of duty, the injury causing some problems in his later years, but never stopping him from visiting at Fred's with his friends.  His stories of fishing all over country were whopping big stories.  He enjoyed the razzing from friends, "too unbelievable to be true," yet whomever heard the stories agreed, "they must of been true, the facts never changed!"

Al felt the Fred's News friends were his family.  He often offered advice and help when he felt it necessary.  Al watched our sons grow into young men, as they moved on to their own lives and careers, he was genuinely interested in their progress.  He was honored to say, "they are my friends, I've known them forever, I care.  His only daughter, fought a courageous battle with cancer, succumbing to the disease, shortly after we left Connecticut.  A part of Al's life, no longer mattered, "no child should pass before their parents."  Al now re-united with his "little girl", will be sadly missed.