Saturday, August 19, 2023
DENNIS P. RIGAS, Esq.
414 Corchaug Trail
Ridge, New York 11961
~ ~ ~
631-909-4798
Drigas.legal@gmail.com
August 18, 2023
Dear Susan,
I don’t know if you remember me - my name is Dennis Rigas, and Joanne was one of my dearest friends throughout High School.
Recently, I met up with Alan Schiavone, who together with Joanne, well, we were basically the “Three Amigos”, with a strong and unbreakable friendship. Al related that your Dad had recently passed, but also with profound sadness that Joanne had also passed last year. Please accept my most humble apologies for the delay in writing, but also kindly accept my most sincere and heartfelt condolences for your loss, a loss which I also share.
Where to begin – Your Dad was a wonderful person. The number of times I would pass your house on my weekly runs are too numerous to mention. But, invariably your dad would be in the garage hard at work on another masterpiece roll-top desk. He would great me warmly and invite me over to view his work. He was always eager to explain how he constructed each of his incredible projects, and ever patient, he never tired of my many questions. What a craftsman he was! It was always his gracious and friendly demeanor however, that was most memorable. As soon as your mom saw us talking, she would come running outside with a glass of lemonade and a warm, friendly and welcoming greeting as well. If Joanne was home, well, she would soon follow and we would talk for hours. So much for my runs.
The friendship that Joanne and I shared throughout our four years at Walt Whitman, didn’t just materialize out of the blue, but actually began more than a decade before. We were in the same class in Elementary School – Mrs. Lawrence’s Third Grade Class at Maplewood Elementary School. Whether it was reading groups, lunch or recess, we just seemed to gravitate toward each other. However, it was the Easter Parade that year that really cemented our friendship that would last long after we graduated from Whitman. Our class was chosen to ride on the schools Easter Parade Float. We were all excited until we realized that we would be sitting atop a flatbed truck with assorted Easter Decorations, a truck that was completely open and no side rails to protect us from inadvertently falling off!! Well, that’s when your mom sprung into action. She told Joanne to sit on my lap and warmly, but sternly, instructed me to hold onto Joanne for dear life and more than implied that her welfare was my utmost responsibility. A responsibility that I gladly accepted, as did Joanne. The parade ended, and much to your mom’s relief, Joanne did not fall off the float but remained snuggly in my arms.
Our friendship that started atop that Easter Float in third grade blossomed at Stimson and ultimately at Whitman. Although we dated a few times, we both realized that our friendship was to important to jeopardize with a more serious relationship. So, the traitor that she was – she dated my best friend – Al Schiavone for years!! But that didn’t stop the three of us going to parties and school events together, and I cant remember one of my football games where she (and usually Al) weren’t in the bleachers cheering me on.
After we graduated, throughout College and Law School, we always corresponded and we tried our best to get together and go out for a drink or two, and just catch-up on everything, when I came home for holidays and vacations.
Joanne called me when she and John were looking to buy their home and asked that I represent them as their attorney. It was my pleasure to do so, and to meet John as well. What a wonderful guy.
We unfortunately lost contact over the years. But, the friendship that we shared for so many years will always be the most precious memory that I have from our years at school. We could talk about anything, and we most certainly did – from Mr. Grays ridiculous English exams, to how to deal with her relationship with Al, to life in general. We always seemed to know when something was troubling each other – and we were always there to lend an ear and some thoughtful advice.
Susan, to be able to look back over the years with a smile and a warm heart, I feel blessed and so grateful for the special friendship that Joanne and I shared. She was an amazing friend…such a wonderful person.
There are few words that can assuage the sorrow you must feel over the loss of ones so loved. But, even if a small measure of comfort may be found in this - please accept my most heartfelt and sincere condolences over the passing of your Dad and Joanne. You and they, will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
Most respectfully and sincerely,
Dennis Rigas
