ROCKY: Tribute to terrific 'dad'

I have just lost my second dad in less than a year and feel a true sense of loss, with my father passing away in August and Rocky “Dad” Bridges’ recent passing. Do you remember those friends you spent so much time at each other's homes that you became just another “brat” running around the house and as such, were treated as one of their own?

I had the privilege of growing up with the Bridges’ clan and was part of many conversations with Dad Bridges in which I can attest that no one was as quick with the one-liner as he was. Mom (Buddy) and Dad Bridges were my parents whenever I spent the night with best friend Cory and his siblings Mindy, Lance and John out in their wonderful home in Wolf Lodge. I smile at the memories of learning some of my first off-color vocabulary and listening to the raucous laughter that followed as Dad Bridges pulled me into one of his jokes with Mom Bridges just shaking her head and giving Rocky the evil eye.

I loved those times. One summer during our high school years, Cory and I drove to Phoenix to spend several days with Rocky and the Phoenix Giants Minor League baseball team which he was managing at the time. We spent a glorious week hanging out with the players and sitting behind the team during games.

Rocky helped define what was to become the “summer of my youth.” Safe travels, “Dad.”

JAMES LYON

Hayden