Rumson police on Friday hosted a visit from a special new friend. That friend was bearing an in-person gift of bridging a gap in understanding protecting and serving between law enforcement and special needs people.
Say “uncle” and hold on tight.
One could say it’s never time to say “uncle” when it comes to letting go of the memories of two iconic Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) teachers/coaches. And it’s really not a problem — never relenting on remembrance. No reason to let such good go, right?
Saying “uncle” often literally had the opposite of the surrender effect for one Sea Bright-raised girl when it comes to her vise-gripping good memories of the now-gone RFH coaches/teachers Hal Lorme and Tom Botti, who taught her and many others well. That girl is Fran Rooney Raffetto and she’s called Lorme and Botti, family to her, “uncle” her entire life. And she’s not giving up that or the memories.
Her parents’ close relationship with the two and their spouses made Raffetto an adopted RFHer and niece, one could say, with enough of Lorme- and Botti-inspired RFH memories to last a lifetime and plenty to pass on to future generations. And she’s always been more than happy to share.
Legacy and love of the RFH teachers/coaches and their de-facto family ties in mind, Raffetto decided that now is that never-too-late time to bring people together who loved and admired her aunts and uncles and share the love by honoring their spirits in a special mass for the foursome years after their deaths on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Holy Cross Church in Rumson.
“I thought the memorial mass would be a nice way to see the Lorme and Botti family and give people a chance to honor and remember them,” Raffetto said. “(We need to) keep their memory alive. We frequented the RFH games throughout my childhood. I was so fortunate to have such wonderful people in my life.”
The family-by-choice tie? Well, the Lormes were her godparents, so saying “uncle” — and “aunt” — to them was a real thing. The Bottis were best friends of her parents, who were Sea Bright icons in their own right, Charlie and Frances Rooney. Charlie was mayor at one time and, well, Frances is none other than Mrs. Rooney of Mrs. Rooney’s Hot Dog Stand fame for half a century. The two and their wives have taught Raffetto well, and she didn’t even have to be taught or coached by them in the traditional RFH sense.
Teachers. Coaches. It’s a pretty sure bet that most have had at least one, the other or both who mentored or taught them a lesson or a thousand in or out of the classroom in their youth. Botti and Lorme were two who embodied that.
Sometimes those lessons, or even a word or a few at just that right moment in our youth change us forever. Unforgettable. That’s what some are. And it’s pretty safe to say that besides Lorme and Botti, there’s an RFH teacher or a few that made that sort of lasting impact on many an RFH student’s life — and then some … even outside of the RFH campus.
And outside of the RFH halls and fields, there were some, like Raffetto, who got to call those teachers and coaches family.
“We spent so many wonderful times together over so many years,” Raffetto said. “One of many great memories was going to cheer on the RFH Bulldogs when my Uncle Hal and Mr. Botti where coaches! It was incredible!”
And the now-92 Mrs. Rooney, over the bridge in RFHers’ adopted beach and party hometown of Sea Bright, is family to RFH students, too. In fact, her photo made it on the inside cover of one of the RFH yearbooks, a de facto auntie.
So, a Bulldog cheer to saying “uncle” for the right familial reason and never letting go of the good memories!
Raffetto asks that all who would like to honor and remember the Hal and Joan Lorme (who passed away on Feb. 15, 2015 and Jan 21, 2020, respectively) and Tom and Vivian Botti (who passed away on July 6 and Oct. 14, 2016, respectively) join her, her family and theirs at Holy Cross on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Holy Cross at 5 p.m..
Our annual Veterans Day tribute … (Click one of the photos in the above gallery to enlarge and scroll.)
Their faces are the faces at the core of a close-knit community. Some have passed. Some are still with us. They are cherished. They are veterans.
They were and are neighbors, dads, and just plain friendly faces around the Rumson-Fair Haven area towns.
They served. They fought for freedom.
They lived and still do live their lives with hometown pride, honor and respect. They were, they are founding fathers, friends. They were, they are cornerstones of the sense of community that is the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
The gift of their legacies bears no upscale real estate market value. They passed along a love of country and community that is priceless.
Thank you, on Veterans Day, to the veterans of the area who have passed and those who are still with us. You are cherished, honored.
Take a look at some of their faces and remember the legacy they carry.
— Elaine Van Develde
— Photos, courtesy of families of the Rumson-Fair Haven area.
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyThe following October arrests were reported by Rumson police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
Sometimes the soul just needs a little river walk on a sunny day.
Longtime Rumsonite, Catherine Julia Altavilla, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Tuesday, Oct. 28. She was 88.
As people go to the polls to vote in Rumson and Fair Haven on Tuesday, or even if votes have already been cast, there are some facts about the boroughs’ governing bodies and their function and history that may have eluded many.
So, the notion in mind that an informed voter is a better voter, early voting or not, here are some local government facts that may enlighten and inspire:
Rumson and Fair Haven are both run under what is dubbed the Borough form of municipal government in New Jersey. There are several forms. While it may seem like a given that since Fair Haven and Rumson are both boroughs, the form of government follows suit with that name. It’s not.
Living in the past. Sometimes you just have to live a little … in the past. It’s an eye-opening, or -stabbing, thing. Nothing wrong with a clearer view or jab.
Yet, when someone is told they’re living in the past, it’s usually considered somewhat of an insult. It implies that the person is paralyzed, incapable of moving forward. Not always true, especially when it comes to old news.
Continue reading Old News: Political Street Fight, Drunk on ‘Hootch,’ Hallowe’en Hoopla, Hay, Dunking & Fiery Mischief
A Halloween reprise, just because it’s an all-time favorite photo of costumed Rumson besties …
Are you a good witch or a bad witch? Which witch is which? Either way, or both, the rain never falls on some of the best of times between best buddies. And it all starts when they’re growing up together like these two little witches with lots of magical moments ahead.
Longtime Rumsonite and former Contemporary Motor Cars dealership owner, Allan Jay Sockol, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 22, with his beloved family by his side. He was 96.
Longtime Rumson resident, Jason “Jay” Halikias passed away on Oct. 19. He was 54.
Oops! Looks like someone’s skeleton is out of the closet … and roaming the neighborhood in Fair Haven.
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