Serendipity and Walt Dzitko

Andrew and David went to their first NFL game today with Uncle Dave and Dad. The New York Jets vs. New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. They are not home yet and I have not heard the full details but from the text messages and pictures it seemed like an awesome day. A 55 degree day in late November, not a cloud in the sky and an Uncle with a fried turkey and season tickets - is that not heaven for an 11 and 9 year old? Willie and I had a special day too. I love hiking - but William - not so much! I decided we should journey to the Heublein Tower in Simsbury/Avon. My sister got engaged there but I have never even seen the trail. So young master Will and I set out this afternoon and had a grand time. We hiked and hiked up wide switchback trails until we reached the top where we could see the Tower/castle through the trees. The views were incredible. William was a great sport and definitely the youngest hiker on the trail. A fascinating thing happened when we were wandering around the outside of the Tower and I asked a complete stranger to take a picture of us. She gladly did so and then looked me in the eye and said, "You look awfully familiar to me?" 'Newtown High School?". I said no, I lived in Southbury for 10 years but . . . I did not recognize her at all. The she said 'UCONN?" and we realized that our connection was a dear friend, Linda Dzitko Riggs. This gal recognized me from the wake of Linda's dad, a wonderful man named Walter Dzitko. Walt was an amazing guy, the kind of guy everyone would want to be their Dad. Welcoming, funny and warm, I don't know anyone who could say one negative thing about him. His tentacles reached far. This past summer a great friend from Granby took me to her Uncle's remote spread on Lake Winnipesaukee. This Uncle happened to work for Union Carbide for many years before he retired and I said "did you happen to know Walt Dzitko?" and a big smile came over his face. Of course he knew Walt. . . When you walked into Walt and Barb's house you would meet Walt who would embrace you in a perfectly pressed shirt and a smile and together they would make you immediately feel like one of the family. Funny, personable, and charming yet sensitive. He adored his wife, Barbara and his two kids, Ed and Linda. Linda and I became close friends at UCONN and her parents were just the kind of people that you would want as your own. Mark has a "Gortons Fisherman" outfit that we got at a tag sale as newlyweds in 1994. One day in 1996, Mark went to a Rutgers Football game with Walt, Ed and Mike (Walt's soon to be son in law). The weather was gale force winds and rain. Mark wore the fisherman's outfit and was glad to have it - we have kept it all these years. Just a month ago, Mark pulled it out to wear to our son's football game in the driving rain and we both smiled and said "Remember the Rutger's game with Walt?" Walt was stricken with cancer and my last visit with him was at the Yale Cancer Center in New Haven where I popped in after a client visit. He was quite ill and I remember sitting with him, Linda and Barb. His sense of humor was fully intact and his smile never faded. He died soon thereafter. How serendipitous to climb a mountain on a perfect fall day. At the precise point where you feel like heaven is near you ask a complete stranger to take your picture. Enter Walt. I am not sure what to make of this encounter but I am certain it was no accident. A great day, a great hike and a memory of a really special guy.