Favorite Things
The traditional birthday meal for the birthday boy requested and served only on his birthday.
What is liver and onions?
Grampy sings this phrase immediately after opening with the line, "One Girl..."
What is "One Special Girl"
This was Neil's nickname in high school. Bonus points if you also can name his nickname in adulthood, and who gave him each nickname.
What is "Beans" (given by John O'Neil)
What is "Corndog" (given by his kids as a natural shortening of his full name "Cornelius Frederick Reardon"
Dad started his collegiate experience at this University, and ended at this state college.
What is the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Salem State College
Neil says this every time he sees or takes a shot off the backboard for a basket.
What is "too late"
*"Sam Jones" is also acceptable response.
Grampy most likely has this CD in his car stereo. Bonus points if you can pronounce this musician's name like Grampy does.
What is Ed Sheer-on
He tore his patella tendons doing this at the Bresnahan School during his PE class.
What is dunking a tennis ball
Dad would say this "s" word instead of the swear word. Bonus points if you know the name of the person who taught him that word.
What is Shaschunavitch
Bonus: Who is Bernie Swinler
Dad orders this kind of pizza every time he goes to Riverview Pizza in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
What is salami
Neil ran this many marathons. Bonus points if you can name the marathon he ran or the location or who was his running mate or Neil's age when he ran them.
He ran two
Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC with his daughter, Meghan
He was 40 and 50 years old, respectively
Dad would say his all-time favorite basketball player is this NBA player.
Who is Pistol Pete Maravich
What does Neil always carry in his pocket.
What is a rosary ring
Neil was raised by his great aunt, "Mame," whose real name was this.
What is Mary Lynch
Neil spends most Monday nights at this downtown establishment. Bonus Points if you can name those he meets there.
What is Loretta's
Who is Bruce, Charlie, and Gary
Dad played this game on the Hytrone parking lot and generations of fourth graders know how to play it because of him.
What is PG Ball
Dad's favorite past-time in retirement may very well be "Fantasy Football." About how many mock fantasy football drafts does Neil complete in pre-season.
What is one million (give or take)
Aunt Mame would say this about a staple Irish food item and how it was prepared.
This is the name given to Dad's signature basketball shot.
What is the "Davenport Hook" Shot
Neil frequented an establishment called "Milts" in his early years. His usual order was this drink.
What is a coffee frappe
All of Coach Reardon's basketball teams said this team chant when coming out of a team huddle.
What is 1-2-3 "Together"
What was Neil's favorite job as a teenager.
What is parks and recreation instructor
*will also take camp counselor
Dad's most proud teaching accomplishment was receiving this award from the Newburyport Public Schools toward the end of his teaching career.
What is the Edward G. Molin Award for Excellence in Teaching or the "Molin Award"
This is a special way Dad shuffles a deck of cards that he does every time he plays a card game.
What is the "Seabrook" shuffle (when he splits the deck, does no shuffling at all, but it just sounds like he is shuffling)
Neil has spent many hours of his retirement years helping to beautify Newburyport. This summer alone, he painted this many fire hydrants.
What is 104
Dad coached all of these teams throughout his coaching career. Bonus points if you can name his first coaching job.
What is Boys JV Basketball, Girls Varsity Basketball, Girls JV Softball, Boys Varsity Tennis, Girls Varsity Tennis
What is IC Basketball