Men for Others – Remembering Nick Restifo

It has been a tough two plus weeks as some dear friends have been called HOME starting with Dan Coughlin on October 6th. Today I was humbled and honored to be a part of a huge family at Holy Rosary Church in Little Italy for the Funeral Mass to lay our Brother Nick Restifo to rest. Just when the tears started to flow, I remembered good, wisdom filled times with Nick and so many others associated with St. Ignatius High School.

When I thought I would need the extra hanky I carried the words of Pastor Joseph Previte resonated in me and made me smile when he noted “Nick was preparing for this day all his life, in the way he lived.” He truly emulated the Jesuit saying “MEN FOR OTHERS” that originated in 1973 when a Spanish Priest told his students that this should be their mantra. He lived his life for those he taught and those he coached for over 40 years. Yes, he started at St. Joseph (Now VASJ) and has taught Spanish and coached at St. Ignatius for over 40 years. He kept teaching but retired from coaching in 2020. This year he returned to the sidelines coaching Frosh and JV plus he was always on the sidelines for Varsity games.

The first time I met Nick was in 2011. The group included former Wildcats QB and at the time MSU starter Brian Hoyer, his Dad Axel, special guest Coach Restifo along with yours truly and the organizer, another special friend. I saw what Nick meant to those he coached and taught as Brian jumped up to hug Nick when he walked in, Here’s a starter for the Spartans playing Big Ten football and soon to be in the NFL profusely thanking his HS Offensive Coordinator for the path he placed him on and gave him a road map to use.

Also, at this time my oldest son was earmarked for St. Ignatius although he had other plans. The High School in the city where we live is phenomenal academically and pretty darn good in Football but along with Donna (aka Mrs. Munch), we felt son #1 needed some religion too. This came up over some wings and cold ones and Brian Hoyer offered to write a letter to son Clay explaining why St. Ignatius was the best choice. Truly “MEN FOR OTHERS” in action and indeed the letter helped lighten the so-called burden of the choice we made.

Nick also kept an eye on his players and that same Summer I saw my son hobbling a bit during practice with a sore hamstring. I mentioned this to Coach, and he simply noted “he has the option of sitting out practice and we know it hurts like heck, but he is giving it a go. Good for him. We checked with the trainer (the legendary “Coach” Hank Gaughan), and he said he could play on it without it getting worse. Tough love but no doubt another reason why Nick, other great coaches under Head Coach “Chico” Kyle were going to notch 11 State “Big School” titles.

Nick also gave out praise when praise was warranted. After my son caught a TD and the team was coming off the field at halftime Nick made a point of grabbing me (Yes I came down before the game, at the half and after the game to “dap my son”, it was tradition) and noted “Our guy runs great routes and has very good hands” then he went to the locker room with the team.

Since HOLY ROSARY was Nick’s parish of course he was a fixture in the back parking lot serving up some cold Peroni’s and at the last FEAST, I let him know that son Clay was joining the family for lunch. He mentioned “he better come back and see me” and indeed he did as they shared stories and memories AFTER Clay assured him all was good professionally and in his personal life.

I walked by the spot where we chatted on my way into the funeral today and the hearse was parked right there holding the coffin with Nick’s mortal body inside. How fitting I thought that we returned to the scene of some levity and Restifo wisdom. When Nick saw my son, he immediately blurted out “My gosh Clay, You are in better shape 11 years after HS graduation than most of my players!”  He also has some advice for me and yes it was touching as I stood near that same location today. I was basically instructed by Nick that “guys our age do not need to be putting sugar into our pasta sauce, use CARROTS (yes his voice raised), CARROT is naturally sweet. Promise me you’ll use carrots.” Today at Mass I kept remembering those words when I needed to hold back some tears and yes, I put carrots in my pasta sauce.

The last time I saw Nick was on the sidelines before the St. Ignatius vs Avon game at Browns stadium. He was with Chuck Kyle, and I asked them if I may have a photo with them after all they have done for my family and how important they were to the growth of my sons as human beings. Both Coaches noted “your family has been very important to us.” MEN FOR OTHERS.

I got word last Sunday that Coach Restifo had been called HOME and within seconds my oldest son texted me and said “Dad, do you know how Blessed and lucky I was along with all the players that were coached by that man?” That summed it up. Today at the Funeral Mass I saw alums, faculty, students plus opposing coaches and so many associated with St, Ignatius, all came to pay respects. As the casket was wheeled out to take Nick Restifo to his final resting place and we all sang “HOW GREAT THOU ART,” I also thought about  a saying that adorns the St. Ignatius campus, Wildcats unis and more, AMDG, an abbreviation for the Latin phrase AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAN. It is the motto of the Society of Jesus, the Catholic Church’s largest religious order, found on the campuses of Jesuit schools across the globe. Translated it means FOR THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD. Thank you, Nick Restifo, Teacher, and Coach. You truly showed us this was the right path. Also reflect for a second that Nick was called Home on the bus ride back from Cincy after coaching 2 Freshman and a JV game and his last call in a Freshman game went for a TD. “MEN FOR OTHERS.”

Read more of my thoughts and musings on NEO SPORTS INSIDERS. Munch on Sports is powered by the Ken Ganley Auto Group & Ganley Chevy of Aurora.

Please take care of each other and it’s your world, pay attention. Indeed, enjoy every sandwich and for now ADIOS AMIGO, long may you run.