[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S9442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING ALAN CHARLES SADOSKI

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of Alan Charles 
Sadoski, a loving husband, father, and friend whose lasting memory is 
continually celebrated by everyone who knew and loved him.
  Alan's life was filled with family, friends, excitement, and 
laughter. He was one of what quickly became seven brothers and sisters 
growing up in Salem, MA. Everyone who knew him will tell you that his 
siblings were not only his best friends but also his biggest fans. He 
graduated from high school in 1967 and went on to become a standout 
soccer player at Salem State College, while at the same time serving in 
the Massachusetts National Guard.
  After odd jobs throughout the summers in and around Salem, Alan took 
a job working as a teller for the Essex Bank. Little did he know at the 
time, but that job changed Alan's life. Not only did Alan find a 
career, but he also fell in love with a fellow teller, Claire McGuire. 
The two married and began their life together, ultimately moving to 
Washington, DC where Claire pursued her legal career and Alan took a 
job with the National Bank of Washington. Everyone who knew Alan can 
remember him on his way to work, the banker in his three piece suit.
  On December 29, 1981 Claire and Alan had a son named Nicholas Alan. 
Shortly thereafter the family moved into their first home where Alan's 
love of fatherhood blossomed. Alan converted the boxes from their new 
appliances into little homes for Nick and the two of them spent 
countless hours playing together. When Nick had trouble sleeping at 
night, Alan would drive him around the neighborhood until he fell 
asleep. He even brought Nick back to Salem for his first haircut at the 
barbershop just down the street from his own childhood home. Everyone 
could see how much Alan enjoyed being a father.
  Although Alan fought hard, his spirit and courage in the face of 
adversity never showing the effects of his illness, he sadly succumbed 
to his battle with cancer on August 12, 1985. He was troubled by the 
idea of leaving his wife and son behind, but he knew they would be 
taken care of and supported by both his family and the legion of 
friends he made over the years. Each of them made a special promise to 
Alan that in their own way they would always make sure Claire and Nick 
were okay. It is now 20 years later and Alan's friends and family have 
never let the two of them down.
  Over the years the people closest to Alan have kept his spirit alive 
by thinking about him often and sharing their memories of him with 
others. His friends remember his tolerant and understanding nature. 
They remember his love of camping and how much he had hoped to take his 
son and nephews out on a true wilderness adventure. They talk about his 
fabled flapjacks, and how everyone would watch the pancake impresario 
perform his tricks. They remember how much fun it was to be around 
Alan; how he was always at the center of the crowd, telling some of his 
famous stories, somehow making the gathering better just by being 
there. Even the pharmacists at the local drugstore, who saw Alan during 
some of the worst days of his illness, thought the world of him and 
even made a donation to the American Cancer Society in his honor. He 
truly touched everyone he met.
  Since then the family has remained close and they talk about Alan 
often. He has nieces and nephews now that he never had a chance to 
meet, but they have heard all about ``Uncle Al, the Kiddies' Pal.'' 
Alan would be happy to know that the people who meant the most to him 
in his life still gather and share their memories of him after his 
death. He would love to know that Claire and Nick are the best of 
friends. He would love to know that Nick enjoys hearing stories about 
his dad, and perhaps more than anything else, loves to hear people say, 
``Your dad would be proud of you.''

                          ____________________