Monday, November 7, 2016

We Called Him "Big Dog"



I want to take a minute to honor the memory of a man who is well known here in the Rutland community, especially the hockey community. Over the weekend my good friend Phil Varney passed away. Phil was instrumental....and really the catalyst behind the creation of the Rutland Regional Field House which is now Spartan Arena. I remember Phil floating the idea of the Fieldhouse years ago when his kids were playing local hockey for the Rutland Amateur Hockey Assn (RAHA) at the Mandigo Arena here in Rutland. Through his vision and hard work a new place to play hockey became a reality.....something that he was very proud of. Phil was also there at the inception of the Castleton University hockey "Blue Line Club" serving on the board of directors from the very beginning and held the position of the club president for three years.That's just some of what Phil has done for this community over the years, but what was more important to me was the Phil Varney I knew on a personal level. Phil was one of the very first people that I met when I first brought my family to Rutland almost 24 years ago, and we became instant friends. He loved the Red Sox, the Patriots....and The Moody Blues. But most of all he loved his family and I was honored that he considered my family part of his. It is always hard to say goodbye to those who are especially close to you...but sometimes certain lives, like Phil's, make it almost impossible. So instead. I say sleep well my friend, until we meet again.