Saturday, August 3, 2019
03 Aug 2019
Dear Addis Family.
Several years ago I had an occasion to give away my old hunting boots, black frock coat and Dad's pink coat and scarlet tails to a small hunt in Franklin CT. This small club, undergoing a rebuild, was meeting for a drag hunt on the banks of the CT River several miles north of where it empties into Long Island Sound, a stone's throw from our house in Lyme. They had but 3 1/2 couple of hounds and i followed on foot owing to not having a horse nor having ridden since the happy days of hunting with Doc and family in PA on Sundays (and Pickering on Saturdays where Dad was Jt-MFH at the time). That was about 40 years ago... Meeting those folks from Franklin, and more so the recent sorry news of Doc's passing away, brought a flood of tremendously fond memories of days in the hunt field in Nantmeal and other environs, including trips to Maryland on the Wicomico R. Reflecting on so many wonderful days with horses and hounds and with Doc's infectious enthusiasm, i am reminded what an incredible influence Doc had on so many people both in the hunt field and beyond. In no small way, Doc affected my career choice, which, in part, led to meeting Susie, my spouse of 39 years and to veterinary school at Penn. At a graduation party, Doc remarked to my parents, Bill and Sally, that, owing to my proclivity to doze off while on afternoon rounds with him, he wrote in my recommendation to PennVet that "He'll make a fine vet one day if he can stay awake in his truck after lunch!"
Doc beamed daily with stories about foxhunting and veterinary practice and always had a 1,000 watt smile for all. I am so very grateful to have been able to learn from him, laugh with him and to have shared in some small part of his world. His passion lives on in all of us.
Susie and i send our most heartfelt condolences to the whole family, and, while we cannot attend today as we are in charge of grandchildren this weekend, please know you are all in our thoughts.
With best wishes for many great days ahead in the hunt field carrying on Doc's legacy,
Love,
Chris and Susie McCawley (VMD's x 2)
