Duffer News, Tim "Basketball Jones" Smith Tribute

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	Blushing Bears Down the Polar Bears

Romeoville, IL 12/05/08
Attendance 26

The Polar Bears Won the Meaningless Contest! Harvey started the Meaningful scoring for the Polar Bears with a back hand spin-a-rama shot, but Magoo answered that with a goal for the Blushing Bears. Geno got the game winner for the Red Bears when Beak poked a pass off of the board that sent him off to a break away goal. Grandpa Ken put the Reds up 1-0 when he showed his son Jeff how to score. Jeff was victimized a little later when his grandpa stripped him of the puck as he tried to enter the Red defensive zone. Beak kicked it up to Tommy Z who beat the Brain. Art gave Jeff some grief about getting beat by his Dad,


	The Final 4 on Thanksgiving

so Jeff put it into high gear and scored 4 goals that put an end to the game. Special Ed, Art and Dave the Goalie scored for the Whites. Only Tom Ambrosia answered Beak's plea for someone who could remember the score. Tom answered with the following e-mail that sums up our first game without Tim:
I really do not remember the score or who scored on Friday night. In fact, much of the evening is a blur for me. Losing a fellow Duffer has made me extremely sad and speechless, which is tough to do, especially when you consider yourself, a loud Italian. The Duffers are a special group of people. I brag to my family about you guys all the time! I enjoyed my time skating with Tim and the great trip to Phoenix. I am still shocked that our time with Tim has been cut so short. I am not able to attend the visitation today. My son's Squirt team has a game at the United Center from 2:15 pm - 4 pm. The Hawks vs. Coyotes game is at 6 pm. Unfortunately, I have to miss the Hawks game and catch a flight to New York. I will be there on business until late Friday, so I will miss skating with you guys next week. Please pass my condolences along to Tim's family today. I knew him for a short period of time and truly respected him for the family man that he is! T&A

I got the following message from Agi, our former Duffer Referee:

I'm very saddened...the few times I've talked with Tim were pleasant conversations...he was respectful, gracious, intelligent, mild-mannered, funny & he spoke of his wife & son lovingly...please extend my condolences to his family & the Duffers...I hope that the Advent season will help everyone find joy in life through Tim's death...he seemed to be a good man & I'm sure he left a ton of memories that should be celebrated every day...this may sound a little corny & religious but as we anticipate the Birth of Our Lord, it serves as a reminder that we should anticipate seeing Tim & all of our loved ones on the "other side", stay the good man that you are!! xo, Agi
I replied that I'm too old to do anything else than be good.

Tony Granato sent this comforting note to us.

Mr. Lopatka,
So sorry and saddened to read of the loss of one of the Duffers. I have such high regard for what it means to be a Duffer and the pride that goes along with being one. I am sure the loss is tough on you and all of the Duffers, but what makes your group so special is the brotherhood and love for one another. Hold together and please pass along my condolences to Tim's family and the rest of the Duffer family, as they will be in our families thoughts and prayers!
Tony g

Perfect Attendance Droped to 5!
The following guys still have perfect attendance after Hacksaw went South : Beak, Bookie, Frank, Stump, and Terry


	Tom Ambrosia checks out the Tim Smith Picture board that Beak assembled for the Smith Family.

We managed to have fun on Friday with heavy hearts. We had the best turn out of the year and we even had Muzzy and Klinger on the bench. It was comforting to be with our Duffer Family during this sad time. Players wrote messages on the picture board. We set the board up where Tim and his son James usually sat. Mini Wheezer placed a Strohs light in front of the board. We had a moment of silent prayer before the game.

The locker room livened up a little after the game when Bill By The Way started passing around the bottle that Tipsy Terry brought. Eddie the Anvil started the guys singing "Sweet Caroline, Da Da Da". I have not heard singing in the Duffer Locker Room since we had Tim The Commissioner, 20 years ago! We took the board to Wild Wings and Special Ed bought Tim a beer.

If you view this page in the Internet Explorer Browser, you will here the song Sweet Caroline.

. The Picture Board after Beak finished it just before game time.	The board was set up in the locker room on Tim's seat with a Strohs.

The Anvil tries to send a Video of our song to his daughter.	We are almost out of beer, Time to head to Wild Wings.
Bill sets up the board at Wild Wings	BBTW was proud of his dexterity

A waitress comes over to see if Tim is old enough to have a beer.	Special Ed orders a beer for Tim.
Bill is satisfied as Tim's beer is in place.	This picture will was one of the ones placed on the board, to see all of the pictures, Click Here.