Frank McTeigue was typically the first one to warm up at the Chatham Senior Center basketball court, working on his inimitable overhead two-hander from the baseline corners.  Knowing these were his favorite spots and his primary shot was an advantage to the defender, but the latter had to have discipline to stay close to Frank. Otherwise, he would be picking the ball up after Frank’s shot went in, as it did a good percentage of the time.

For those unaware of the niceties of basketball, even as played by aging crazies, it is both a contact sport and a reactive one, which in combination can produce inadvertent falls.  During a seemingly normal morning outing in October, Frank tripped over another player’s feet and hit the floor with a tremendous thud to the back of his head.  He wanted to continue playing, but we insisted on him taking a break, after which he joined us as if nothing had happened.

Two days later, Frank complained of a headache and his family took him to Overlook Hospital; at the time it was thought to be simply a precautionary step as years earlier he had experienced a heart attack, after which he was on blood thinner. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was a blood clot in his brain and a difficult operation was immediately required.

Despite the efforts of skilled surgeons and the good subsequent care he received, Frank passed away, at the age of 82.

Frank was a charter member of our band of passionate basketball players. We will miss him greatly.