I hardly knew ye

I just received a bit of news that hit me like a hammer over the head.
Last summer I was lucky enough to get to play in the Rocky Hill football team's golf tournament fundraiser at Tunxis Plantation. I was paired up with a team of guys I did not really know, one of whom was booster club president Bill MacDonald. Another member of our foursome was Lewis Austin, a coach with the Newington Knights youth program who was friends with the Rocky Hill coaching staff. In fact, Lewis was friends with just about everybody. He was possibly the most jovial, most spirited, most happy-go-lucky, most humorous, most friendly person you could ever meet.
I found out today, much to my shock and dismay, that Mr. Austin passed away recently, apparently from a heart attack. Lewis had a string of health problems at the time I met him. He had recently undergone surgery for a leg problem from what I recall. But he kept pushing through it with a smile, eager to get better and stay out on the football fields and golf courses he loved for a long time to come.
This is a terrible loss for the Knights, for Newington football, for Indian Hill Country Club (where he was a member) for the town of Newington, and for anybody, like me, who had the pleasure of crossing paths with Lewis for even a brief moment.
I have not forgotten the fun our foursome had that day on the course, a day that started out a bit rainy and turned into a gorgeous summer afternoon. Our group was terrible. We had no intentions of winning, but Lewis' upbeat attitude kept us plugging away in search of pars. He also had a knack for coaching. He was able to give minor tips to each of us and see the results immediately in our swings.
I also remember that throughout the day, Lewis spent a large amount of time speaking about his children. His son, Nolan, has been a member of the Newington soccer team for several years. His daughter, Carlee, was working on her golf game, and Lewis was every bit the proud papa. He beamed when talking about them, particularly his pleasure at getting to play the links with Carlee and watch her improve.
This season Carlee is on the Newington varsity squad.
My heart goes out to the Austin family. I knew Lewis for one day, and a few brief encounters afterward. I feel I've lost a friend.
They lost a father, and one of the best.
See you some day on that great course in the sky, Lew.