Heading back to NJ is always a good thing. This is where we have our roots and heading home is usually filled with fun and family. Just recently we were on cloud nine as our 7th grandchild was born.

This trip back would be to celebrate the passing of a good man.
 For the past 44 years, on the 2nd or 3rd Saturday in December, the group of young men in this picture has gotten together to celebrate the coming holidays.
The coach's soiree is what we call this gathering. These are many of the boys I started working with back in 1974. 

Most of us were born in 1952, and most of us were still wet behind the ears as far as teaching went. We worked with some of the roughest kids in Bergen County. Many of our students had rap sheets by the time they were 12 years old. Always having each other's back was the glue that has kept us in touch ever since. 

Before everything had to be so politically correct, the students we taught were labeled Socially Maladjusted, and that tag really fit.
Today these students are classified as students with  nonspecific learning disorders. I guess that sounds a little better.
 
As time passed many of the guys I worked with moved onto different school districts and became principles, vice principles, Learning Disabilities Specialists, athletic directors, guidance counselors, with some even leaving education altogether. 
But despite the fact that many of us headed in different directions, as the years past, our bond never weakened.

Back in the day, these soirees gave us a chance to blow off some steam. 
Recent gatherings, give us a chance to reminisce and see how each other are doing.

This past December 14, 2019 Coach Keenan didn't attend. In this group picture, he is the gentleman indicated by the arrow. Now, when someone doesn't show up to the soiree, they can expect a call that involves a little testicle busting. They had better have a good excuse for not being there. 
When we gave Coach K a call we didn't get an answer, but being that this was the very first one he had ever missed we figured we would give him a little slack.

This past Monday morning I learned that he had passed away in his sleep sometime Sunday night.
Why really doesn't matter, what mattered was that the big guy was gone.

![IMG_1732_LI (3).jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXSNBsooxVMDvFaWMtLccrtWqqi3jLxrUH6tBaefLPvJp/IMG_1732_LI%20(3).jpg)

For Pete, missing the  2019 Coache's Soiree was an anomaly, at least that was what we all thought at the time.

![IMG_1734.JPG](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmReEJVb8aiUyeCWRQqyo5ikBaR3PuCDfUadczWGFE3bY1/IMG_1734.JPG)

As we attended the services and laid PK to rest, many eyes filled with tears as the Irish Bagpipes played Going Home.