WILKES-BARRE — There is something really nice going on at St. Ignatius Church in Kingston.
My friend, Tom Havrilak, who was also a devoted pal of the late Bob Shivy, told me about the upcoming “Night at the Races” that the church is hosting on March 14, sponsored by the parish Holy Name Society.
Havrilak told me that this year’s event will be held in memory of Bob Shivy.
It’s a special honor because over the years, Bob would always ask me if I would support the event, and I always did. Bob Shivy could be very persuasive.
Havrilak provided all the information about the event that will be held in the church’s Conlan Hall. He said the door will open at 6 p.m. and the first race goes off at 7 p.m.
There will be food & refreshments, raffles, and fun.
Havrilak will provide all details — just call him at 570-287-7768 or 570-709-6616.
I’m sure Bob Shivy will be there in spirit.
When Bob Shivy passed in September, all who knew him were saddened. Bob was the most familiar person among the 692 members of the Wyoming Valley West High School Class of 1968.
Everybody knew “Shivy,” and Bob never forgot any of his classmates. Bob somehow kept a complete file on each of his classmates in his head. Bob was the human version of Google.
Without a doubt, Bob was one of the most likable, irrepressible people of the Class of ‘68. I considered him my friend, and I valued his friendship, and I was always amazed at his vast knowledge.
In other words, I learned a great deal from Bob over the years, and I will always cherish the times we spent together with classmates, community leaders, and celebrities.
Bob and I have been to a few places, and it has always been fun, founded on the spontaneity and frankness of Bob. He had no filter whatsoever.
One time we were at the F.M. Kirby Center to see Dionne Warwick, one of Bob’s favorite performers. Before the show, Will Beekman, then the Kirby Center’s executive director, stopped by our seats to say hello. I introduced Bob to Will, and Bob was ready.
“Why don’t you get Petula Clark here?” Bob asked in the most endearing of ways.
Will looked at me and asked me if Petula was still alive? I said I believed she was and still was performing in her mid-80s.
Several months later, Will called me and said he wanted me to be the first to know that he had booked Petula Clark for the Kirby Center. And, more importantly, Will wanted me to immediately call Bob to tell him.
So I did, and Bob was thrilled. He asked if we were going to the concert. I confirmed we were already booked.
Bob told me that he had 12 of Petula’s 13 albums, but they were no longer in his possession. But it was clear — Bob was a huge Petula Clark fan.
So when Petula performed at the Kirby Center, Will graciously arranged for us to go backstage and meet the British icon.
Petula came out and shook our hands, and I asked if Bob could get a picture with her. I also informed Petula of Bob’s longtime love of her music and that he had all but one of her albums.
Petula was impressed. She and Bob hugged, and I took the picture. It really was a special moment. Bob Shivy and the woman who sang “Downtown” were linked forever.
And then there was the time Bob met Marie Osmond. It was August of 2017, and I had written a story about Marie announcing her and her brother, Donny, coming to the Kirby Center. She was very gracious, and when the interview ended, she told me to be sure to come backstage after the show to say hello.
Of course, I asked if I could bring Bob, informing her that Bob was a huge fan. She assured me it would be no problem.
The show was fantastic — those Osmond kids put on an awesome show. So we went backstage to wait to meet Marie.
When she came into the room, she shook my hand, and I introduced her to Bob. Marie shook Bob’s hand and thanked him for being there.
Bob’s response was, “Boy, that Nutrisystem sure looks good on you.” Marie laughed and asked Bob if he was on “the system.” Bob politely said he had “my own system.”
Like I said, Bob had no filter.
Marie then asked Bob to stand up and give her a hug — “a real hug,” as she put it. Bob obliged, and I snapped a picture — another special moment.
There were many special moments with Bob, especially when he was around his high school classmates. He could tell you off the top of his head your date of birth, your childhood address and phone number, and he can give more details about just about everything with uncanny accuracy. I asked Bob if he had a computer at home. He said, “The only computer I need is right up here,” pointing to his head.
Bob cooked his own meals, patiently pieced together jigsaw puzzles, and attended Mass every day.
Faith was a huge part of Bob’s life. That’s why remembering him and honoring him at the “Night at the Races” event is so special.
Bob always referred to himself as a “fun guy” — he had a shirt with a mushroom on it, hence the “fungi/fun guy” reference.
One of my horses for the Night of the Races will be “Fungi/FunGuy.”
Sounds like a winner for sure.