Notes of Concern…
…Jack Blair
Life is Energy: In honor of Jason Ritchie & His Family
A very special weekend has just been experienced here in north central Massachusetts: The dedication at The Winchendon School of their ice arena in honor of former student and Winchendon hockey player Jason Ritchie, Class of 2005.
This event reminds me that life is fragile, bad things happen to good people, and something good can come out of the bad.
After graduating from The Winchendon School Jason went on to college and continued his interest in hockey. Tragically, a motor vehicle accident claimed his young life. As his parents, Bob and Donna, and his brother Jon, dealt with their grief they also sought to find a way to honor Jason by helping other young men and women get a good education and learn to play hockey, especially those who otherwise would be unable to do so.
Their commitment resulted in the formation of The Ritchie Hockey Foundation, which will provide financial assistance to youngsters who love the sport, and need some help with the hefty costs of both an education and of playing hockey.
The Ritchie family returned to Winchendon a year ago to name the boys’ home locker room in honor of their son. From that visit grew a bigger idea: why not name the entire ice arena for their son and create a vision for all who play hockey there that a young alumnus’ interest in the sport combined with the love and forward thinking of his family, resulted in a partnership that will help hundreds of youngsters, in his name, as the years march by.
This large financial commitment on the part of the Ritchies was celebrated along with the good that it will do this past Saturday when Craig Patrick, one of the coaches of the famous Olympic Miracle on Ice team (when the U.S. defeated the Russians for Olympic Gold), came to speak at the dedication. Patrick is a Hall of Famer and coached and managed many NHL teams in his career.
Motivational speaker and entertainer Paul Cardall came from Utah to join in the dedication and to provide encouragement and entertainment to those gathered to honor Jason.
People from around the country traveled to Massachusetts to be part of this special day. The event “sold out” days before it took place. Members of the town’s Board of Selectmen, the school’s Board of Trustees, Representative Bastien and Senator Brewer and so many others came to share in the celebration.
Long after all of us have passed away the name of Jason Ritchie will stand as a daily reminder to those who pass through the front door of the ice arena that while life is fleeting, and often all too short, the impact a person can have on the future is unlimited.
Jason, who believed life is energy, will forever be associated with an ice arena where not only Winchendon School students learn and grow but the people of surrounding communities also.
The Jason Ritchie ’05 Ice Arena will stand as a beacon to the life of a wonderful young man and the magnificent heart of his family.
Life is short.
Bad things do happen to good people.
BUT
A short life can have an eternal message of faith and hope and be an inspiration to others.
AND
Bad things can be used to bring about an endless promise for the future when good people simply refuse to let fate vanquish them.
