Rejected by the Buffalo Irish Times

I guess my dearest friend, the Editor wanted a *serious* piece. Oops. 🙂

Being the well read Irish Lass that I am (Well read meaning I have every intention to read Ulysses someday but read Portrait of an Artist instead, because it was much shorter.) I quickly volunteered to write a story on the great author, Frank McCourt and his recent passing for the Buffalo Irish Times. Mostly because, yes, I heard of Frank McCourt. And yes, I heard of his passing. And I can envision the cover of  “Angela Ashes” (the Oprah Book Club special edition version) when hearing his name. Although upon closer review, I don’t think this memoir was selected by Oprah. And well, since I’ve never read Angela’s Ashes and had no idea how Frank McCourt was connected to WNY I decided to stock up on the Irish Reinforcements to get me through the 600 words. Ok, how about 300 words? Beer of course, lots of beer.

In all seriousness, Frank McCourt was an award winning author who received a National Book Critics Circle Award in 1996 and the Pulitzer Prize in 1997 for “Angela’s Ashes” his memoir describing his poverty-stricken, disease filled and alcohol soaked family growing up in Ireland. If you want a sad story this one’s a no brainer. Depression awaits you my friend.

Frank McCourt was a laborer by circumstance, an army man by draft. A teacher by trade. A husband, father and grandfather by love. An author by experience and an Irishman by blood. Did he have a connection to Buffalo, NY? Not really, however many of us can trace our childhoods back down similar paths if we look close enough.

Frank McCourt died Sunday, July 19th in a hospice in New York City. He was 78 years old.