My Parents' Opera Premiered September 27, 1952

Dad Mom at Lake 1951

63 years ago today, Father Edward O'Halloran married my parents in St. Stephen of Hungary on a warm Saturday afternoon. Mom from the St. Joseph's parish loved St. Stephen's church, Dad was indifferent. It was a dry wedding. That was smart. The fireworks would have started an hour into it. The Pryors and Ryans could hear someone giving them the finger through a brick wall. Best they could, Mom and Dad loved each other deeply with a lot of stuff blocking the effort. I love them, I miss them. During a Giant football game, I have a strong urge to call my father after a good play. Whenever I'm down, I want a hug from Mom.

Their humor, intelligence and love runs through me. Rory and I are lucky guys, Dad was an artist, charming and sarcastic. He fed our creativity and curiosity. My mother was hilarious, loving, and out of her mind. I'm talking cuckoo crazy nuts. You did not want to cross her. But Rory and I? She loved us like a train. We owned her heart and we knew it. Our job? Make Mom laugh. Make Mom proud. I'm still employed.

1616 York Avenue Sept 1952

Dad's note to Mom when he was at sea @1951

Joan Dad Patty Tom ~ St. Stephen's @9.27.52

wedding reception

Rory's here! @1956

Dad & Rory @1958

The Pryors' on 83rd Street @1958

Elmhurst on 12.31.67

Mom by Dad ~ charcoal drawing @1960

subway El platform to Freedomland or bust @1962

LaSalle graduation ~ 6.12.72

Patchogue ~ summer of 1962

Rode's 1582 York Avenue @1974

Mom kidding with Dad @ 9.13.80

Safe at Home

I never shook Mickey Mantle's hand and that remains one of my few regrets.

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When I was 8 years old, Mickey stood right in front of me at the 86th Street RKO theatre in April 1962, when they made that silly movie "Safe at Home," to capitalize on the Maris & Mantle, M&M boys' 1961 home run derby. The Yankee team made appearances in several New York City movie houses to promote the film.

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I forced Dad to get to the theatre two hours early to make sure we were on the aisle. We had a quick burger across the street at Prexy's first. At seven o' five, word spread the team bus had pulled up in front. The Yankees came into the lobby dressed in suits & ties and marched down the right side of the movie house. Yogi Berra walked by me and stepped on my toe, but I didn't notice, though my father did and wanted Berra to apologize. It was strange seeing Dad pissed at Yogi.

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Elston Howard stopped in front of me, and put his arms behind his back like a military MP. Ellie saw I was having a baby over Mickey Mantle standing right next to him two feet away from me shaking in my sneakers. Dad and Ellie exchanged laughs over my dilemma, then Howard leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Say hi, he won't bite you." But I was too scared to say anything to Mickey. As the Yankees walked on stage for a final bow, I dribbled my opportunity away.

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Below is a letter I wrote to Mantle when I was 13.

Old Timers Tavern

Dad didn't let me touch his Yashica 44 camera. So, it was a complete surprise when he let me step outside the Old Timer's Tavern on York Avenue to take this picture. The bartender, Jack Saunders, was busting his chops after he heard Dad tell me to put the camera down a fifth or sixth time. "The kid wants to be Jimmy Olsen, give him a break, Bob." Dad gave Jack the look, but Jack kept at him. "He wants to immortalize you in this place."

After telling me how to hold the camera, how to focus, where to stand, what button to push and how fast to push it, Dad, reluctantly, let me go outside.

I stood on a milk box to level me off with the guys.

In the photo: on the left is Phil Hanerfield; Dad, to Phil's right with butt and beer; then four guys whose names I don't remember.

Mom Gets Even

"OK, on a count of three, when he hits the button make a silly face," Mom said, as we stood on the Pelham El's train platform on our way to Freedomland in the Bronx.

After Dad took the picture, he gave the three of us the silent treatment for an hour, while we walked around the amusement park with Dad moping.

If Dad took an embarrassing picture of Mom, she'd bide her time, and include Rory and me on the revenge scheme, or she'd just put her finger up her nose when Dad said, "Patty, smile!"

Dad hated when Mom ruined his perfect shot.