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Much will be written (and spoken) about the exemplary life of the late Thomas M. Tigue, and that’s as it should be. What I’ll remember best is his drive to the basket.

We met as members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, recently returned to Luzerne County and newly promoted to captain. I was a lance corporal, and at 5 feet 10 inches tall, towered over him in our pickup basketball game after weekend drill.

“No problem,” I thought the first time he got the ball and headed for the hoop I was defending. He lowered his shoulder and blew right past me for a quick score. “Lucky,” I thought. “He won’t get by me next time.” But he did, over and over again. He was, in fact, unstoppable.

I remember him helping me off the concrete several times that day, always with a smile and a firm lift up. This, as it turned out, was his nature – fierce competitor, generous to a fault, superb leader, a Marine’s Marine. Semper Fi, Colonel Tigue!

Rob Burnside

Kingston