RIP Dave Fay

[Elliotte Friedman]

Long-time Washington Capitals beat reporter for The Washington Times.

Battled throat cancer, lived long enough to hear he'd been this year's print inductee in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

RIP

 

[Dan Hickling]

Just heard this sad news....Dave was one of a kind, and I'm so glad he was able to live to see his selection (although the induction won't come till November)...he could be caustic but he also had a huge heart of gold...he really cared about what he did...worked his way back to the beat after his throat/mouth surgeries would have derailed a lesser man...and never complained a bit...I will miss him...

here's the link to the Washington Times obit

http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/NATION/107180097/1001

 

[cougargirl]

RIP, Dave. Covering the Caps could sometimes be an ordeal, but could that man handle it in spite of his illness. Again, RIP.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

Sad news indeed. Dave battled like hell. Despite all the treatments and surgeries, he was on the beat as much as he could be, enduring all the crazy winter travel.

Mr. Hickling is correct. Dave could appear very gruff at first blush, but he was always quick to share a quote or some information if you needed it. Dave was a good man.

 

[John Taylor]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Dave was the best, a true pro -- and he'll be greatly missed.

The family passed this along this morning:

Memorial contributions may be made in David’s name to Hockey Fights Cancer, PO Box 5037, New York, NY 10185-5037 or Hockey’s All-Star Kids Foundation, National Hockey League, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Canadian friends may send Memorial contributions to, Hockey Fights Cancer, P.O. Box 1282, Station B, Montreal, Quebec H3B 3K9

 

[Elliotte Friedman]

One thing I noticed was that -- in the few opportunities I dealt with them -- the Capitals were extremely classy in dealing with him. Fay's questions were, at times, difficult to understand because of the damage to his throat.

But the coaches and players never gave him any trouble, and were very patient as he attempted to ask.

 

[musicman]

wish i had the pleasure of meeting dave. not to sully the thread, but was dave a dipper? i have concerns for my own health, where tobacco is concerned.

 

[hockeybeat]

RIP.

 

[ducibej]

Not a dipper, but a heavy smoker for a long time. . . . I remember one of my first years on the Redskins we were all staying in the dorms in Carlisle, and I brought my dad up to look around. Knocked on Fay's door and he answered _ cigarette in one hand, bottle of Jack Daniels in the other, dressed in ONLY his briefs. Great guy once you got to know him.

 

[write then drink]

RIP, Dave

 

[friend of the friendless]

Sirs, Madames,

Funny, I never found Dave gruff at all. He had a whiskey-and-smokes voice--maybe he sounded gruff. He was the absolute soul of decency to me from the time that I met him. Lots wouldn't give me the time of day when I parachuted into the beat, but Dave and I talked at the arena all the time. I dragged him to a junior game one time--never had been before. I should have made more of an effort to stay in touch. My regret and condolences.

YHS, etc

 

[estreetband75]

"Dr. Puck" was one of a kind. Always quick to offer a complimentary email to a writer half his age and always willing to talk hockey.

It really sucks that he couldn't make it until November and his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

 

[Colton]

RIP

 

[vivbernstein]

I exchanged emails with Dave last week. He wrote about how proud he was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I'm glad he had the chance to enjoy the news.

My deepest sympathies go out to his family. He was a special man.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

Column by a Times colleague:

http://washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070719/SPORTS04/107190095/1005