Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
 
GOHABS.com -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> A son mourns his mother
Post Info TOPIC: A son mourns his mother
SpiderManNL


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 801
Date:
A son mourns his mother
Permalink Closed

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey/canadiensstory.html?id=48a35618-442d-47d7-9370-a2b54034b271


 


Komisarek recalls her love, support. 'Won't be a day that goes by during which I won't think about her': Habs defenceman



As a child growing up on Long Island, long before the bright lights and stardom of NHL play, Mike Komisarek would walk gingerly into his parents' bedroom in the early morning with a cup of coffee and a pillow. He would gently awaken his mother to drive him to hockey practice.

The pillow was so Kathy Komisarek could remain in the car, sleeping, until it was time to take her son to school.

"Some kids don't experience the love and support from their parents," the Canadiens defenceman said yesterday during a lengthy interview, his voice cracking often with emotion. "But I saw first-hand the sacrifices and how she took care of us. There won't be a day that goes by during which I won't think about her.

"She's in heaven, looking down and smiling."

Komisarek's mother died last Tuesday, more than 10 months after she learned she had pancreatic cancer. She was 51. Her son flew home the night before, leaving a practice in Gatineau before a game the following night at Ottawa, to be by her bedside. It was a routine that had become all too familiar to Komisarek this season. Virtually every Sunday morning at 6, he would board a flight to New York, often after a game at the Bell Centre the night before, to spend the day with his mother before returning to Montreal that night.

And, through it all, he kept a stiff upper lip and continued playing, 21 games in all, while averaging slightly more than 14 minutes of ice time a game.

"There hasn't been a time on the ice where I haven't thought about her," said Komisarek, who will turn 24 on Jan. 19. "It's been tough. If I told you it wasn't on my mind I'd be lying. But I've still got a job to do."

Komisarek had plenty of time with his mother last year, between the NHL lockout and hip surgery he underwent before Christmas. There was a month at home, during which complete bed rest was ordered. Komisarek, his younger sister, Joanne, and his father, Roman, were stunned when the diagnosis was made on Jan. 13, especially since no history of cancer exists in the family. Kathy Komisarek wasn't expected to survive more than six months.

"She handled it with grace," said the 6-foot-4, 241-pounder. "She always had a smile on her face and fought until the last moments, never giving up. She always had a positive outlook on life, especially when fighting the disease.

"She always put her kids first and made so many sacrifices. Coming over from (Poland) and trying to raise a family was difficult. But my parents made things work. She installed a good attitude and work ethic. When I look at myself and my sister, I see images of her."

Kathy Komisarek was a healthy and strapping woman, working out, making meals and keeping the house in order. The disease was ravaging and she lost between 60 and 70 pounds, her son said. She saw the former first-round draft choice play in person for the last time on Oct. 6, when the Canadiens faced the Rangers in New York.

Late last month, while Americans were celebrating Thanksgiving, her condition deteriorated. A hospital bed was placed in the family home, to make her final few days as familiar and comfortable as possible. The family decided life support wouldn't be an option. Connected to a morphine pump, she was unable to talk before she died.

Komisarek and his sister delivered the eulogy at the funeral, last Saturday. The service was attended by Canadiens owner George Gillett and general manager Bob Gainey.

"I know my mom was a special lady," Komisarek said. "I was fortunate to have her around for so long and see the influence she had on people. I see her now through others' eyes."

After missing three games last week, Komisarek practised yesterday, his teammates' first day back on the ice after last Saturday's win over Los Angeles.

He sat at his stall, reliving the story and talking about his mother's life, as wave after wave of media came by to offer condolences.

"I'll be playing for her," he said. "I'll continue to make her proud."

Notes - Captain Saku Koivu and Radek Bonk, both nursing groin injuries, were excused from practice. Koivu should be on the ice today. Bonk's status will be determined once his test results are returned. ... Goalie Jose Theodore and defenceman Sheldon Souray had scheduled off-ice therapy sessions yesterday. ... Forward Alex Kovalev, recovering from knee surgery, could start skating on his own this week. ... The players and coaching staff make their annual visits tomorrow to Sainte-Justine Hospital and Montreal Children's Hospital.

hzurkowsky@thegazette.canwest.com

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2005


user posted image



__________________
Nil d


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3452
Date:
Permalink Closed

Very touching.  My father died in 1979, when I was about Mike Komisarek's age, and I still think of him every day.


 



__________________
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Johab


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1350
Date:
Permalink Closed

Nice to see Komi stay positive through all this. Very sad to see his mom go so early. He'll be playing for his mom from now on in his mind. Good motivation if you ask me. I know right now i play to achieve higher than i have before and to help my team. If someone close to me died, id up my game even more for them.

__________________
At just 18, i've got the girl who has said the 6 words i've wanted to hear my whole life!! " My Dad Owns A Liquor Store"
salted_one


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 196
Date:
Permalink Closed

i know how he feels  my mom and my younger brother died when they went fishing and the boat flipped over   i was only 19   almost 5 years ago  losing your mother at a young age is hard   and i hope he'll be ok

__________________
The Salted 1 strikes again!
barry33


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
Date:
Permalink Closed

Nil d wrote:

Very touching.  My father died in 1979, when I was about Mike Komisarek's age, and I still think of him every day.  

My Dad died of cancer when I was in grade 12, 2 days before our provincial high school final. I remember going to his funeral in the afternoon and playing hockey that night. We won 2-0 (game seven) and I stopped 52 shots. I remember hearing people say that I was being disrespectful for playing hockey the day of my Dad's funeral. But they did not know my Dad. It would have been disrespectful to him (and he would have come back down to kick my ass) if I did not play that game.


Like Nil'd there is not a day goes by I do not wish he was here. To all the young posters here (Johab and Northwind etc), never let a day go by where you do not appreciate your parents or tell them you love them.



__________________
________________ I'm as confused as a starving baby in a topless bar!
hockeyman


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 421
Date:
Permalink Closed

My condolensces to the big guy and hope to see him back meaner and better than ever.

__________________
Nil d


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3452
Date:
Permalink Closed

barry33 wrote:

Nil d wrote: Very touching.  My father died in 1979, when I was about Mike Komisarek's age, and I still think of him every day.   My Dad died of cancer when I was in grade 12, 2 days before our provincial high school final. I remember going to his funeral in the afternoon and playing hockey that night. We won 2-0 (game seven) and I stopped 52 shots. I remember hearing people say that I was being disrespectful for playing hockey the day of my Dad's funeral. But they did not know my Dad. It would have been disrespectful to him (and he would have come back down to kick my ass) if I did not play that game. Like Nil'd there is not a day goes by I do not wish he was here. To all the young posters here (Johab and Northwind etc), never let a day go by where you do not appreciate your parents or tell them you love them.

Barry, I get a lump in my throat reading your post. I remember fondly helping my dad fix the motor in our furnace the day before he died.  I am one of 10 boys (and 14 kids) in my family, so quality time alone with a parent was at a premium.  My mother is now 88 and lives 300 kms. away; I treasure every minute I can spend with her (which is not enough in the run of a year).  Johab, NorthwindNS, and all the youn'uns on this board should all value their time with their parents.


 



__________________
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
GOHABS.com -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> A son mourns his mother
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard