Thinking of John

[Crafty Angler]

Not too long ago I found myself thinking that we're going to have the first anniversary of John Habs loss coming up. For some reason it still doesn't seem possible to me.

I was on the rocks at my favorite UDL almost a month ago on a completely moonless night slinging eels and trying to break a dry spell for me. I had even taken the Habs hat that John gave me off of the rack in my fishing room for a little extra karma. I got my personal best standing under that hat.

Other than a complete and utter lack of fish, it sure was a beautiful night. Nothing but the sound of the bell buoys and the hooters, no moon, just one bright star, Venus maybe, 45 degrees off the horizon.

I was frustrated and sat down for a smoke and thought about the last time I fished with John and it was at that very spot. There was a huge swell running that day in the fall and he was casting into the wind on a high perch that's rarely awash and the white water was rushing all around the rock, sometimes well up past his knees. Wish I had had a camera with me now, but that image of him will always stick in my mind.

Anyway, I got to thinking - there's a memorial out on the Ocean Drive originally called the Fisherman's Memorial, now called the Mariner's Memorial at Brenton Point State Park. It's really a moving spot on a small rise overlooking Brenton Reef with stones inscribed with the names of loved ones who were lost at sea as well as those who have passed on who had a special connection with it. I thought maybe if there was some interest maybe we all could get together and chip in for a marker in John's memory. I think it would be a nice way to remember him in a beautiful spot. The centerpiece of the memorial is a piece of granite that has a bronze plaque affixed to it with the image of another friend who was lost at sea holding a 52# bass.

Anyway, I know it's the middle of season and free time is precious but it was just a thought I had. Don't know if there's any interest in it or not but I'd be happy to donate a couple of old Angler's Art prints to help get the ball rolling if there is.

I know the guy who set the memorial up and could get the wheels in motion. It may take a while to get everything together but at least it would be a first step towards a permanent tribute to him.

Let me know if anyone is interested - I'll do what I can in terms of time and resources.

[NIB]

I think it is a excellent Idea..

[Clogston29]

Originally Posted by NIB

I think it is a excellent Idea..

x2

[DZ]

Chuck,
Go for it - I'm sure you'll receive plenty of support here. Find out what the different pavers cost and let us know. Like you i know many of the names out there. Once we get the paver we can have a nice memorial and dedicate it in his memory with maybe a picnic or tournament at the park.

DZ

[JohnR]

We're all ears. Interested.

[STREETFIGHT]

i'm in

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by DZ

Chuck,
Go for it - I'm sure you'll receive plenty of support here. Find out what the different pavers cost and let us know. Like you i know many of the names out there. Once we get the paver we can have a nice memorial and dedicate it in his memory with maybe a picnic or tournament at the park.

DZ

What Dennis said
I think it's a great idea

hard to believe it's almost been a year

[jim sylvester]

I'm in


great idea

[Nebe]

John liked to fish there once in a while too..

[Clammer]

OK >.I,m In ><><

[NIB]

Maybe Pt.Jude Joe or someone close to John's widowed..Should run this by them first.I really don't see it as being a problem.I just think it is the proper thing to do.

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by NIB

Maybe Pt.Jude Joe or someone close to John's widowed..Should run this by them first.I really don't see it as being a problem.I just think it is the proper thing to do.

You're absolutely right, Tony - and Joe would be a good person to run it by Jess. I hope she and John, Jr would like the idea, but it's her call.

For you guys who aren't that familiar with the Memorial, there's info on it here:

http://marinersmemorialnewport.org/home.htm

Maybe John, Jr will see this and pass it along to his mom or Joe can provide her with a link to the thread.

It was an idea but only if the family approves. If not, then perhaps there's something else we can do in John's memory.

[Crafty Angler]

Originally Posted by DZ

Chuck,
Go for it - I'm sure you'll receive plenty of support here. Find out what the different pavers cost and let us know. Like you i know many of the names out there. Once we get the paver we can have a nice memorial and dedicate it in his memory with maybe a picnic or tournament at the park.

DZ

I think a John Haberek Memorial Striped Bass Derby/Tourney would be excellent, D. Maybe a small entry fee with the proceeds to go to a charity John would have liked and incorporate a picnic or cookout - we could certainly do that at Brenton State Park. Maybe have the Club host it and award a perpetual trophy to the winner(s) or something.

The memorial plaque or stone at BPSP could come at a later point if that's something the family would like and that would take a while to coordinate properly anyway.

I'm sure we'd have plenty of hands from S-B and the NCSWFC to handle the chores on a tourney and make this one the first annual. The get-together alone would be a hoot!

What do you think guys?

Could be do-able even if only on a small scale for the first one.

[reelecstasy]

Count me in,

[Crafty Angler]

Almost 300 views and 10 people climb aboard.

[luds]

I'm in. Nice idea Crafty.

[BigFish]

Just saw this Chuck. I was over Cutty the last few days and realized while I was there with the cool fall air filtering in one evening that the anniversary was fast approaching. Hard to believe.....people like John leave a great void when we lose them. He was a great guy. I also feel he is quite deserving of a memorial of some kind....count me in!

[BassDawg]

just got in from last night's fiasco,,,,,,,,,,,,,

good news, though, the bigger fish are starting to
lay up on THE Other Cape ~~not STACKED yet, but
it is encouraging that the familiar places are starting to show sum lahhhga life.

which brings us to this EXCELLENT idea of yours CHUCK!!

if anyone was larger than life, it would have been John. although i only met him on a couple of occassions, from what i've heard he had a way of connecting with people almost immediately,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

he made me feel like i'd known him my whole life, and was willing to take me fishing with him in his waters (RI). dummy me, i was waiting for the Fall Run to approach such an approachable Legend. God most definitely broke the mold when He gave us Habs.

i truly regret that i was not able to enjoy his friendship/brotherhood as much as many of the members here. PLEASE count me in,,,,,,,,,,,and i will help out in any way that i can to commemorate the Life of one of the Striper Coast's finest gentlemen ~~both in and out of the surf!!

[nklinesider]

i didnt know john but i am definetly up to helping out in any way i can to tribute one of the striper greats

[Pete_G]

I'm up for and willing to help on any or all the ideas.

[In The Surf]

Sounds like a great idea. Glad to help any way I can.

[BasicPatrick]

I am in for anything I can do and would be happy to bring it to the MSBA e-board for support as well.

[rphud]

I am in.

[Crafty Angler]

Just got home from work a little while ago and saw the new posts after a long - and busy - Labor Day weekend.

Well, from the responses I'd say that's already a pretty strong line-up for volunteers to start with.

You know, after my starting post I've been thinking that maybe going for a marker at the Mariner's Memorial first is just putting the horse before the cart. I spoke with Pt Jude Joe and he and his brother Jeff already have a paver on order at the Memorial. He also said that Jess and John Jr were touched by the sentiment of the gesture. Perhaps a pemanent marker in tribute is something that we can arrange for at a later point given the process involved.

Maybe the way to approach a tribute to Habs initially is to hold a striped bass tournament in his honor as DZ suggested.

What if we held a tournament honoring John's memory and used part of the proceeds toward purchasing the stone? The balance of an entry fee could be used to defray the costs involved in setting up an annual tourney and with luck we might also have enough left over to donate to a charity that John would have liked if we get enough participants.

Actually, Mrs. Crafty had a great idea last nite after I told her about wanting to do something in John's memory - she said why don't we use part of the money collected from the entry fee to establish a scholarship in Habs' name for some deserving youngster.

"The 1st Annual John Haberek Memorial Striped Bass Tournment"

Well, whaddya think sorta has a nice ring to it.

If we do it out of Newport we could incorporate a picnic at Brenton Park like DZ said on a Saturday afternoon. Maybe do the food at the picnic like the way TFCTFN is done - hey, I'd be glad to toss in a hot cauldron of Drunken Blackfish Stew.

Then the menfolk - and womenfolk and kidfolk if they so choose - could go out to start fishing for the tourney. Everywhere in RI is easy access at that time of year.

Hell, the company alone would be as much fun as the fishing. Maybe do the awards on the Sunday at the Coddington Brewery over a blueberry ale or two - Habs would have certainly approved of that

While it's pushing the envelope timewise, maybe Columbus Day weekend might be good - at least that would give everyone ample time to fish, enjoy the festivities and still have Monday off to rest up. The 3rd weekend in September would be better fishwise (although it's hard to tell anymore) but that's coming up real quick.

Anyway, does anyone have any other ideas? You know, we could get this put together in the time between now and then if everyone pitches in - look at the talent pool we've got here. Even if the first time around is a little looser in terms of organization, it would still be a hoot.

What do you guys think?

Personally, I think it would be a great way to remember Senor Habs.

So where do you think we oughta start to get this underway? I'll be happy to put up some old Angler's Art prints to get some money in the kitty to help with expenses. I think the tourney would be a great time and a good way to share stories about how good it was just to know the King.