NowDoYouBelieve Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sorry to post something so personal, but I had to share this with somebody. Around 1:30 AM last night, my family received a call from the hospital that we were going to lose my grandfather and that we should head on down. Now, he's been sick with prostate cancer for a while, but we were assured a week ago that he had 1-2 months left to go. Needless to say, the call was devastating. Fortunately, we made it down to the hospital to say our final goodbyes. My grandpa (I called him Gramps) was in and out of consciousness, but you could tell he was happy to see us one last time. He passed away around 3 AM. I haven't been able to sleep since then, only reflect. My Gramps was probably the biggest Sabres fan I knew. He was well into his 40s when Buffalo got the franchise, but he was a lifetime hockey fan and he became one of the first Sabres season ticket holders (according to him, anyway...he was a bit of a storyteller). He could probably repeat each of the Sabres' rosters verbatim, dating back to the 70s. When my Grandma passed away in 98, it was the 99 playoffs that finally beat his depression and grief. At least, until "No Goal". My Gramps, in many ways, WAS the Sabres. My Dad's not too much of a sports fan, but my Gramps made sure that I was raised with the Bills and the Sabres, and most importantly a healthy respect for loyalty to my hometown. When it seemed that our Sabres might leave town, my Gramps was one of the more vocal protestors against it. The stories just go on and on and on. It saddens me that he never got to see Buffalo reach the promised land of a Stanley Cup or a Superbowl. A month ago, he told me to make sure the Sabres won the Cup, in case he didn't make it. I told him he'd be there watching when they won. I was wrong. I don't usually believe in the supernatural, but when the Sabres came back from 3 down against the Pens and the Thrash in two consecutive games, I felt like they were getting a little push from a hospital bed in Buffalo. My Gramps was a great man. A father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother, a war veteran, a Sabres fan. And I think he's still all of those things...just in a better place. Maybe it's wrong to think about hockey right now, but the Sabres (and this message board) are a good escape for me. The rest of the season will be bittersweet, but if Gramps was still around he'd be vehemently rooting the Sabres along toward the Stanley Cup...so I think I'll do that. If they do take home the cup, I know one citizen of heaven is going to be a very happy man. RIP Alfredo Capono 1932 - 2010 And Go Sabres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampD Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sorry for your loss. Go Sabres!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
end the curse Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Damn, that just choked me up. :cry: RIP Gramps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderbread Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 nice post. sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePebble19 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sorry to post something so personal, but I had to share this with somebody. Around 1:30 AM last night, my family received a call from the hospital that we were going to lose my grandfather and that we should head on down. Now, he's been sick with prostate cancer for a while, but we were assured a week ago that he had 1-2 months left to go. Needless to say, the call was devastating. Fortunately, we made it down to the hospital to say our final goodbyes. My grandpa (I called him Gramps) was in and out of consciousness, but you could tell he was happy to see us one last time. He passed away around 3 AM. I haven't been able to sleep since then, only reflect. My Gramps was probably the biggest Sabres fan I knew. He was well into his 40s when Buffalo got the franchise, but he was a lifetime hockey fan and he became one of the first Sabres season ticket holders (according to him, anyway...he was a bit of a storyteller). He could probably repeat each of the Sabres' rosters verbatim, dating back to the 70s. When my Grandma passed away in 98, it was the 99 playoffs that finally beat his depression and grief. At least, until "No Goal". My Gramps, in many ways, WAS the Sabres. My Dad's not too much of a sports fan, but my Gramps made sure that I was raised with the Bills and the Sabres, and most importantly a healthy respect for loyalty to my hometown. When it seemed that our Sabres might leave town, my Gramps was one of the more vocal protestors against it. The stories just go on and on and on. It saddens me that he never got to see Buffalo reach the promised land of a Stanley Cup or a Superbowl. A month ago, he told me to make sure the Sabres won the Cup, in case he didn't make it. I told him he'd be there watching when they won. I was wrong. I don't usually believe in the supernatural, but when the Sabres came back from 3 down against the Pens and the Thrash in two consecutive games, I felt like they were getting a little push from a hospital bed in Buffalo. My Gramps was a great man. A father, a grandfather, a husband, a brother, a war veteran, a Sabres fan. And I think he's still all of those things...just in a better place. Maybe it's wrong to think about hockey right now, but the Sabres (and this message board) are a good escape for me. The rest of the season will be bittersweet, but if Gramps was still around he'd be vehemently rooting the Sabres along toward the Stanley Cup...so I think I'll do that. If they do take home the cup, I know one citizen of heaven is going to be a very happy man. RIP Alfredo Capono 1932 - 2010 And Go Sabres Great post, and very sorry to hear about your loss. Your Grandfather sounded like a passionate Sabres fan, and an even better person. I understand exactly what you mean about the escape to hockey and this board. About 3 years ago, I lost my job, and then a week later, my wife lost our first child during pregnancy. The day after the operation, I watched the Sabres knock off the Islanders in the playoffs and came on to this board and shared my story. I received so many nice comments and condolences, that I knew I had to return the favor. Thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 You should contact the Sabres and tell them your story. It would be a wonderful gesture if you gave them a small personal item from Gramps they could keep on the bench during the playoffs. A way to have Gramps there in spirit PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spndnchz Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Place your hand on your heart. Feel it beating. That is Gramps. Put it there after the Sabres score and feel it racing. That is Gramps chearing them on. He'll always be there. Cheering. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foot In The Crease! Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 RIP Alfredo Capono Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevbeau Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Condolences to you & your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sorry to hear that. Keep your chin up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sorry for your loss. Win one for Gramps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiofan Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 I am so very sorry for your loss. He sounds like a very special man and it is clear that you loved him very much. May God bless you and give you peace, and may the Sabres fulfill Gramps' wish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjag Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Well he raised a fine writer, so his legacy lives on. Go Sabres, Go Gramps... Have him ask folks in the know up there when we might expect a championship or two.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NowDoYouBelieve Posted January 13, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 A sincere thanks to everybody for the kind words. Special thanks to PTR for the advice...I might just do that once the dust settles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfreeman Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 I am sorry for your loss and grateful that you shared your Gramps' story with us. That was one of the most beautiful, moving posts I've ever read. Be well and Godspeed to your Gramps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobody Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 My condolences to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RR61 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Isn't it great that your grandfather shared his love of Sabres hockey with you? You will always remember what that means to you everytime you attend a Sabres game as well as the times you shared talking about sports. My condolences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carpandean Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Sorry to hear about the loss of a great fan and, from the sounds of it, a great man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaFan Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 ok I'm in tears. So sorry for your loss. Sending strength your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbochan Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdexchange Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 That was a great tribute...thank you and best wishes. R.I.P. Gramps :beer: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R_Dudley Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 My condolences to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your story. As long as you continue to tell the story to your children and places like this his legacy lives on. My prayers and thoughts are with you and yours today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetweenThePipes00 Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Thanks for sharing and hang in there. My grandfather passed away almost eight years ago, but the memory of watching games with him from the second row of the Oranges is still vivid. Nothing can ever take those things away from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiftyone Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 Very sorry to hear. Best wishes to you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Figster Posted January 13, 2010 Report Share Posted January 13, 2010 My condolences Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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