David Bordieri, 8, throws out first pitch at McCoy in uncle’s memory

By JON BAKER

PAWTUCKET -- The relationship between this uncle and nephew surpasses that of most we know — or, perhaps, could understand.

It used to be, before his untimely death of esophageal cancer at age 52 on July 29, 2008, Stephen Gaskin Sr. and David Bordieri Jr. used to play baseball at all times in a number of usual and atypical places. He also used to promise David that he would someday play for the Boston Red Sox, if he worked hard enough.
It was a love unsurpassed, both athletically and emotionally.
When the two spent time together, they'd pick up a bat, ball and gloves and head to the backyard to work on the tyke's skills, or sit in the same chair watching their beloved home team. home team.
“You know what? They’d even play ball in the house,” said Gaskin’s wife, Cathy. “Stephen would fashion out of rolled-up paper towels, and tape, a ball, and – in the kitchen, living room, dining room, it didn’t matter where – he would throw it at David, who would be ready to bat with a rubber spatula. That’s why Stephen did what he did – so it wouldn’t damage anything.”
Thanks to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island officials, on their annual “Night at the PawSox,” David – in front of parents David Sr. and Brenda – threw out the first pitch Wednesday night prior to Pawtucket’s International League contest against the Charlotte Knights. A second-grader from Central Elementary School in Lincoln, he was accompanied on the “hill” by Cathy, to pay homage to and memorialize his “Uncle Do Do,” a favorite nickname since infancy.
“I’m very excited about throwing out the first pitch,” David exclaimed during a picnic under the tent adjacent to the right-field line. “It’s because I like baseball a lot. I play shortstop, third base and pitcher in the Lincoln Little League (minor division, and also the Amateur Athletic Union’s Blackstone Valley Spinners). I like pitching because I like to strike people out. (In the field), the best play I ever made was (an unassisted) double play, where I caught a line drive and tagged out the baserunner (on second).
“It felt great,” he added.
The natural question was this: How did the opportunity come to be?
“Every year, Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island holds this family night at McCoy (Stadium), and we’d invite either a patient or a family member of one to throw out the first pitch,” said Director of Communications Pam Taylor. “Officials with Home & Hospice Care called Cathy because we knew about David and his special relationship with his uncle – and their love of baseball.
“We contacted Jeff Bradley, the Director of Community Relations (for the PawSox), and we just made the arrangement,” she added. “We’ve done this the last three years, so this was a natural.”
It was about a month ago, after Bradley gave the “OK,” that Cathy announced the good news to her nephew.
“I asked him in person – I remember it was a Tuesday at about 4 p.m., after school,” Cathy grinned. “He was extremely excited and overjoyed … The reason they became so close was because we used to live next door to each other in Johnston. He grew up knowing his uncle very well. It was kind of like the sit-com ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ with the family together all the time. That was one of Stephen’s favorite shows.
“Losing Stephen, it’s been really tough,” she added. “I’m getting through it day-by-day. I have a wonderful support system in my family and friends. I mean, I met (Stephen) when I was 14 (at Johnston High), and I married him when I was 18. We were married for 31 years. Life is very different, and difficult, now.”
Doctors diagnosed Gaskin Sr. on Feb. 25, 2004, and he had major surgery shortly thereafter, not to mention multiple chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
“It was a three-and-a-half-year fight,” she said, holding back tears. “He was a battler. He was a warrior. During that entire time, not only did he have his entire family structure but also David Jr. He was the apple of his eye.”
Taylor noted Home & Hospice Care provides a team of home-care professionals – consisting of doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, social workers, volunteers and bereavement and spiritual counselors – to help with support for patients with life-threatening diseases, and also their families.
“We help them with daily, weekly and monthly crises,” Taylor said.
Explained Cathy: “Pam told you what Hospice does, but it’s an unbelievable group of people who not only take care of patients, but also talk to the families, and counsels them. They made, for us, an impossible situation seem bearable.
“You know, a year ago today, Stephen was admitted to the Philip Hulitar In-Patient Center, and that’s where he spent his last 42 days,” she added. “Stephen received extraordinary care from the entire Hospice team. The whole organization became like a second family to us. Thanks to them, our last days together with him were filled with serenity, compassion and love.”
Also in the family entourage were Stephen and Cathy’s adult children, Amy and Stephen Jr.
“I drove up from New York City for this,” Amy said. “I wouldn’t have missed it. David may be my first cousin, but he’s more like a nephew. He’s my little man.”
Cathy admitted she was thrilled by this occasion.
“Home & Hospice Care, and the PawSox, made a little boy’s dream come true, and for that I’m very grateful,” she said. “I know Stephen is smiling down on us right now, and really excited for David Jr.”