As the GAA world turns you look back at the days and games that went behind in your career with joy laughter, sorrow, disappointment and a host of other emotions. Be it on the field as a player, sideline as a mentor or supporter. Looking to the future you plan, hope, and try to duplicate, or improve to keep the memories coming and going. The people that cross your path on your road can leave a marked effect on you as a person with their friendship, help, and encouragement. They remain your friend long after the cheers have quieten-ed down and the memories have faded. One of our good friends needs our help at this time.

Patrick Vivion White grew up in BallyjamesDuff, County Cavan before moving on to Dublin for work and eventually to New York where he makes Maspeth Queens his home. In early February Vivion fell from a deck in his backyard and severely damaged his spinal cord. He is currently receiving treatment and rehabilitation in Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and the prognosis is that physical rehabilitation will be for a very long period. Growing up in BallyjamesDuff, Vivion was an avid member of the Castlerahan football club. He won under 12, 14 and 16 county medals with his normal position being right full back. He was also an Ulster title winner in running relay and qualified for the Community games national finals in 1979. Learning his trade with Bridge Interiors in Mount Nugent, Dublin called with work in the early 1980's and in the Irish Capital he again found his niche playing with the Ballyforan club. With Ireland feeling the brunt of unemployment in the 80's emigration called and Vivion arrived in the Big Apple in 1987. Initially he settled in Sunnyside. His brother Richie was already here. He moved on to Woodside for a year before settling in Astoria for an extended period. Of course living in NY he again found the GAA calling and he started to play with his home county Cavan. He played with them for an extended period joining the Carpenters local 608 in the interim and working on various major projects in the city. He transferred to Astoria Gaels Football and soccer club in 1997 and immediately staked his place as a full back in soccer and wing back on the football fields of Van Cortland Park and Gaelic Park. The Astoria side had a manager position open in 1999 and who better to step in but the Castlerahan man. Vivion led his side all the way to the County Junior final where the Gaels pushed Sligo to extra time in a replay before losing by one point. A constant supporter of the side ever since he was a huge supporter when they finally annexed the title in 2003.

The GAA has played a big part in Vivion's life thus far as a player, mentor and supporter. It gets a chance to return the favor. Vivion needs our help and his friends have got together to organize a benefit. The benefit will take place on June 9th at the Elks Lodge 82-20 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst, NY 11373. $100, $20, and $10 tickets are available in raffles with Cash prizes, Yankee and New York Ranger Tickets and I Pods just some of the prizes available. Autographed County jerseys are available to bid on at the Facebook page. The committee would be delighted to hear from you and they can be reached at the following numbers. James Dolan 917-951-8939, Al Smith 646-345-8075, Mike Peacock 631-944-1690, Eugene Kyne 646-483-9732, Jim Farrell 914-830-3205 Tweet

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