Tip of the Hat

Absolutely nothing mattered more than his family … which is how it should be. Siliana, Shad’s wife, and Aryeh, his beloved son, were Shad’s world. His universe, actually. If he treated his friends like family, his true family was royalty.

It was no surprise to me Shad had made the ultimate sacrifice for his own. He and Aryeh were caught in a riptide; Shad pleaded with the lifeguards to save his son and then come for him. They saved Aryeh. It was too late for Shad. His body washed ashore days later.

Anyone reading these words can find the particulars of Shad’s tragedy online. Anyone reading these words can also find other reasons why Shad is a hero today, most especially stopping a holdup years ago by walking into a gun at a convenience store. I called him when he was featured on TMZ. I thought he was one crazy s.o.b. and told him so, and yet he likely saved a life that day.

Saving lives, it seems, is what Shad did best. Aryeh had his dad for far too short a time. If there is any silver lining here at all, it’s to the world Shad Gaspard has become an icon.

To Aryeh, and Siliana, Shad was a human being like the rest of us but he walked his walk. I miss reading his Facebook, Instagram and Twitter posts raving about you both, and also praising his mom and dad.

I’m proud to have known such a hero.

I love you, uce. I miss you, uce. I hope to see you again one day.

Shad Gaspard January 13, 1981 — May 17, 2020

“Only the good die young.” — Billy Joel We have some pretty remarkable members in the CAC. In this issue, we tip our hat to just a few that have gone beyond the call of duty during a most unusual time, each giving of themselves to support the CAC mission.

“This man feels no pain!” Jim Ross declared of a young Cactus Jack tearing up the competition in WCW in 1992. As it turns out, few have a bigger heart than Mick Foley. Mick has donated proceeds from his Cameo calls over the summer to the CAC Benevolent Fund to help us carry out our efforts.

JOEL EISENBERG

North Hills, California

Joel is an award-winning writer and producer, and partner in Council Tree Productions, a television development company.

Both Al Snow, through his Collar & Elbow clothing line and Ryan Barken from PWTees have come to the aid of the CAC with a friendly competition in support of the Club. Each will offer two CAC-inspired design with a goal to see who can raise the most funds for the CAC by the time we meet again in April.

While , like the ‘squared circle’ that unites us under this shared passion, nothing beats attending the annual reunion L-I-V-E ... we are pleased to see the innovation proposed by manager and author extra-ordinaire, Kenny Casanova and Mike Weber of FITE TV who are making preparations for the CAC’s first ever virtual event. More details on that can be found on Page 13.