A final farewell to "el viejo"
10/14/2008 2:59 PM by Boris Flores
Even as he laid at his bedside in the hospital, Danilo Noel Dirón never lost his sense of humor nor his love and passion for D.C. United. No longer able to come to the stadium due to his deteriorated health, he followed the team’s games closely on TV.
On a recent hospital visit after the team’s loss at FC Dallas, he offered his sharp analysis: “We are going through a bad stretch,” he said. “We need to make some changes to the roster.”
Team captain Jaime Moreno, his dear friend, sat next to him holding his hand. Danilo turned to him with a straight face and said:
“Jaime, you know I love you. Tu eres mi hermano. (“You are my brother” - a phrase he would commonly use when speaking to friends). But If I was the coach, the first one to go is Moreno. Moreno out!” he exclaimed in his broken English, prompting a loud laughter among the visitors in his room, including Jaime.
That moment defined and captured Danilo at his best. That’s the Danilo we will always remember. Free spirited, full of joy, yet compassionate and caring. His humor and charisma was contagious. As it turns out, the man we affectionately called “el viejo” (“old man”) was the “first one to go”.
We will greatly miss you “old man.”
Below are funeral arrangements:
A viewing will be held at the Demaine Funeral Home (520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314), where the family will be present on Thursday, October 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church (2907 Popkins Ln., Alexandria, VA 22306) on Friday, October 17 at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Mt. Comfort Cemetery, Alexandria, VA.
Comments
1 Comments
About This Blog | Contact Us | dcunited.com
© 2008 - 2009 D.C United & MacFarlane Chang DC Soccer, LLC - All Rights Reserved
10/15/2008 2:46 PM by dogboy
Very touching tribute, Boris.