This page is dedicated to Bob (Haji) Hirons,
showing warm and happy memories of our beloved Class of '57 Classmate:
Memories from Bob Welch (Mousey)
(Click on thumbnail below, to see larger version)
In addition, you may also click the link below, to see the PDF, Adobe Reader version:
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Memories from Ron Berry (Berries)
Weedsport Speedway on a Sunday evening after the real races..... the " Iceman in the Ice truck versus Skinner Steinman in his .......not sure what it was but the race was on and as they went into turn one they were side by side and out of turn two came the Iceman with a slight lead..... almost to turn 3 the Ice truck went off of the track.... I don't remember if he lost that big 17" tire that Mouse mentioned or that Skinner gave him a nudge..... no matter what out of the truck flew the Iceman with both arms flailing at Skinner....he had stopped to make sure the Iceman was ok...big mistake ....anyways we all got there to prevent any other physical damage to each other......and that was the end of Stan Dudzinski SR. letting us play on his race track..... I never got out there with Big Blue... that was my 1951 Nash Rambler (convertible I might add)...and of course the late nite races down Seneca St..... someone else can elaborate on that.... I hope Denny can remember the trips to Hunter's Diner in the Barqantine(the 48' Hudson).....I miss him already, we talked occaisonally and I was able to attend his son Rob's retirement from the Navy in Norfolk VA. a couple of years ago..... I am so glad I made the trip east and got to spend some time with him... RIP Haj....we will be together again one day.... Fair Winds and Following Seas........Ron |
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Speaking of "the ice man" ..
Haji always had a great sense of humor-
and Pete adds this:
********Always remember-******** |
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Denny Randall
adds his "Remembering Haji Baba" below:
Remembering Haji Baba It seems that any memory of him was associated with motor vehicles and he was absolutely obsessed with seeing how fast the most unlikely cars (and trucks) would go. As Ron mentions, we used to go up to Hunter's Diner at night and shoot the bull with the night cashier Jim "Lefty" O'Toole who in a strange quirk of fate became WCS Principal many years later. After Lefty got out at 11:00 we would race up and down Genesee St. in Auburn and Lefty always won with his '56 Olds Rocket. One night we were all in Haji's father's '48 Hudson Commodore, which he had acquired after Bob had virtually destroyed it's predecessor (48 Buick). Bob had neglected to turn on his headlights when we left Hunter's and very nearly T-boned some guy innocently making a turn in front of him. What the guy screamed at us has always stuck in our minds-"Don't you have any #&%$ lights on that #&%$ barkentine"? How appropriate for someone who was to spend his career and second career in and working for the Navy. He was OUR Haji!! |
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Never a dull moment -
"Those were the days",
as told by Punch:
It was a hot humid summer Saturday afternoon. I had just finished washing bottles at Colvin's Dairy. I met Mouse and we went to Hiron's for a drink. Haji was behind the soda counter. At the time, Haji and I were both vying for the same girl’s attention. I said something smart, and tempers and young hormones and emotions flared. Haji swung a sopping wet counter rag across my face. The next thing I knew he was dragging me out the front door and shouting at me. What, I don't remember, but it wasn't good. I gathered my wits about me and we squared off on the front sidewalk beside the restaurant. I knocked him down three times and he only got up twice. We quickly drew a Saturday afternoon downtown crowd as in those days there were very few street fights in the middle of town. My shirt was in tatters. Mouse and I walked down to the Winton Shoppe where I spent all my morning wages from Cecil Colvin buying a new shirt. It was only a couple of days later that we shook hands and put it behind us. In fact we both started work for Tudor and Jones together, unloading corrugated roofing out of a box car parked on the South Street siding. I also remember a stag party I threw in my parents garage on Jackson Street. Haji had a little too much moo juice, and ended up waking up on the front lawn of the Cayuga Chief office the next morning, with his nearly ruined new block W jacket. Brewster cleaners were able to save it but it was never the same. Other events also come to mind. One after a dance where we all headed for 3 Rivers entertainment center. Haji got a late start, but caught up to us driving his parents 51 tan ford wide open down the Thruway. Those were the days my friends. |
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Photos -
Some, (though not all), of the thumbnails below, have larger views when you click on them:
Thank you for the photo contributions, Ron B.
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A heart-felt thank you note to our class,
From Haji's family,
Written by Scott Hirons, Haji's son:
(Sept. 12, 2013)
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We hope to keep adding memories to this page -
as well as photos -
Please check back - Thanks!
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