RIP Bernie Parent

[jarnon]

Goalie of the “Broad Street Bullies” who won the Stanley Cup in 1973-74 and 1974-75. He won he Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP of the playoffs) both those seasons and is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He died Sunday at age 80.

[jarnon]

Like they used to say, only Jesus saves more than Bernie.

[mellytu74]

Okay - I would have sworn that I replied to this shortly after Jarnon posted it.

Over the years, Boonie and I saw Bernie Parent frequently at the Maurice River Diner on the way to the shore.

We'd also see him at some get-togethers in Wildwood and Cape May. In years past, we'd see him at various events - things like WIP Radio's Food Hunts (each year, host Glen Macnow would explore various foods. Sandwiches, desserts, roast pork sandwiches, ribs, etc.

And at the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame when his Flyers teammates were honored. Bernie was in the Inaugural Class. And the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association dinners.

When he saw us, he'd say hello. He knew our faces but not our names.

Actually, that's not true.

He knew Boonie's name - he'd heard people call him by name enough over the years that he did know his name.

We will miss not seeing him. Although, to be honest, it had been a couple of years.

[kroxquo]

My dad taught at Wildwood (NJ) High School on the Jersey shore in the 70's when the Flyers were winning their Cups. He had a friend named Charlie Prose who was a comedian in the area who bore enough of a resemblance to Parent that you had to look twice. One day Dad had Charlie come into school and poke his head in his classroom. Dad said, "Hi Bernie!" and the students looked around just long enough to get a glimpse before Charlie pulled his head back and left. Dad's coolness factor went way up that day.