Sad times at Thornwood

There won’t be quite as many smiles around Thornwood anymore.

That’s because Dave Brown, a fixture on the T’birds’ athletic scene for more than 30 years, died over the summer of a heart attack at 58.

Dave was a fan of all things Thornwood, but he was also more than that. He did odd jobs for Thornwood’s athletic staff and served as the program’s unofficial goodwill ambassador.

He had a smile and a handshake for everyone and if you came to a Thornwood basketball or football game in a bad mood, a greeting from Dave would usually be enough to chase the blues away.

He was a breath of fresh air and a living embodiment of what we sometimes forget, that sports are supposed to be fun for everyone involved.

I’m not sure Dave realized how many people’s days he brightened just by being himself. But his was a life well-lived and those of us who crossed his path will definitely miss him.