A Message from Our President: Honoring Pat Stapleton

Hello all,

This is Brian Paladino, President of the Lynbrook Roller Hockey League. I am sorry to report the loss of past LRHL President, Pat Stapleton. Pat passed away Saturday evening due to complications with cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones and will be sorely missed. I just wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to the great work he did for the Lynbrook Roller Hockey League.

Pat Stapleton was involved with the Lynbrook Roller Hockey League from it inception in 1998. Pat has four sons who all played in the league and a grandson who currently plays in the league. One of the best memories I have of Pat was when he took the reins, as a coach, one last time, for his grandson’s team when the head coach could not make the game. That was Pat’s last night behind the bench.

Pat became a board member very early on and was very involved with the day-to-day operations of the league back then. He became president at a time when the league needed leadership the most. Pat’s leadership was instrumental to paying off the bond that the league had taken, with the Village of Lynbrook, to get our original facility built. Paying off the bond gave the Lynbrook Roller Hockey League financial stability and independence. I could never thank him enough for this accomplishment.

Personally, Pat was not a warm and fuzzy guy to most. However, if you knew him intimately, he was a sweetheart and always put the kids first. He was a very good friend of mine, and I’m going to miss the presidential pep talks he would give me. I will miss him dearly. His legacy at the Lynbrook Roller Hockey rink should never be forgotten.

Thank you, Pat, for your time and dedication to the league, the village of Lynbrook and most importantly to your family. The Lynbrook Roller Hockey League sends its condolences, thoughts, and prayers to his wife Debra and the entire Stapleton family.

Brian Paladino
LRHL President