Tuesday, June 6, 2023
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My favorite memories of Carmen were most of them!
I guess if I have to pick one, it was when we were in Massachusetts working the horse races as parimutuel clerks. It was early September, from the 7th to the 10th. During their sweep, the Yankees outscored the Red Sox 42-9 as they swept the four games and ended the series tied for first place.
That was a great summer I spent with my cousin Carmen. But there were times throughout our lives that I will always remember. For years there were celebrations on Christmas Eve when I called Carmen’s home, then after speaking a few minutes to him, I would get passed to whatever family was still there at his home on N. Peters Lane. Those times were very memorable and very special to me.
Also, I can’t not remember the Bridgeport Jai Alai. We saw each other six nights a week for six months at a time for years! I often met him at his house after the matches were over. We imbibed in whatever we were imbibing for that night and it was a good time to be visiting my cousin. We played backgammon, watched movies but I always remember all the laughs we would have every time I saw him.
If he wasn’t my cousin, I would have wanted him to be my friend. I enjoyed 66 of the 69 years he was on the planet. I hope Carmen takes to the grave with him the happy memories that we gathered. The Coricas certainly shared sad memories but this is about celebration and happiness. Carmen was my relative, my cousin, and my friend. I will always be grateful for his contribution to my life and what he meant to me. Thanks Cuz…you were one of the good ones!
