Many men are thought to not show their emotions or pay compliments or words of encouragement to their children for deeds well done.
Jersey City resident Richard Walsh is different.
Starting in 1993, he wrote letters to his then 7-year old son John as a means of encouragement when the young boy was preparing for tae kwon do tournaments. But the letters never stopped as his son got older.
The young John blossomed into a star baseball player at Hudson Catholic High School in Jersey City and at Seton Hall University. All the while, his father’s letters covered topics ranging from staying in shape to respecting the coaches to concentrating on John’s education.
“It cost a bit of money but I am glad I did it because I can leave a legacy.” Richard Walsh
________
Even now, Richard Walsh still writes letters to his son, a 24-year-old teacher at CREATE Charter High School in Jersey City and a baseball coach at his old high school.
Walsh, 57, has also found another medium for his letters, as they have been compiled in a new book: “True Jersey City Story – ‘Super Proud Dad,’ 14 Years of Motivational Letters” (Author House; May 2009; $15 softcover; $20 hardcover).
Walsh said when he set out to write the letters, he was not looking for fame, but as a father of three (he has two daughters), it was about imparting hard-earned life lessons. Richard never got to go to college, and he grew up without a father.
“It was about stressing hard work and education because that will get you far in life, and I am of proud how John has turned out,” Walsh said.
Letters for betterment
About two years ago, Walsh was sharing the estimated 200 letters he wrote to his son with some of his co-workers at Public School 4 in Jersey City, where he works as a groundskeeper.
“They read some of my letters and told me that should be a book,” Walsh said.
In 2008, Walsh put together the letters and then went the self-publishing route to produce the book. Walsh also gained inspiration from the late newsman Tim Russert’s book about the letters Russert wrote to his father.
“It cost a bit of money, but I am glad I did it, because I can leave a legacy,” Walsh said.
Walsh’s letters are dated and have titles such as “Give Back” and “Real Hero!” And they are not just about inspirational musings but also warnings to John about how to choose his friends and the pitfalls of not having goals beyond just being an athlete.
The letters are also tributes to his son’s mentors, such as tae kwon do teacher Kevin Padilla of Hoboken and longtime Jersey City baseball coach and sports columnist Ed Ford, whom Walsh said Jersey City should name a street after.
Walsh says he plans to keep writing his notes, because he has another set of recipients to whom he wants to impart wisdom: his three grandsons.
To purchase the book, visit www.authorhouse.com or www.amazon.com.
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.