Page 39 - September 2019 FOP Newsletter

people from the districts and the Lodge supporting our membership.”
Hole #7
Bob McDonald, who has been retired for two years after serving for 18, came to the outing for the first time this year to en- joy one of the aspects of the job he misses.
“Being with like-minded people,” he explains.
Hole #8
Heading for the turn allows the oppor- tunity to catch up with Team Skelly, which included three foursomes this year featur- ing Tom Jr., his brother-in-law, Mark Re- gal, and a slew of grandsons. One of those was Adam Regal, who works in 018 and has been on for a little more than a year.
Adam considers the legacy that his grandfather created with the Chicago FOP golf outing.
“We wouldn’t be out here without him,” Adam confirms. “He loved his golf outings. He loved the family aspect. He loved com- ing out here and spending the time with his police family. Everyone knows Tom Skelly loved to have a good time. So, ev- eryone coming out and having fun would be his legacy.”
Hole #9
Five Skellys currently serve with the de- partment, including grandson Bobby Re-
gal. The Skelly legacy is being one of those staunch police families that is the back- bone of the department.
“It’s just in our blood,” Bobby reasons. “It starts with Papa for sure, just instilling that kind of service life in us. That’s where we learned it from. I don’t even think it’s the aspect where it’s named after him. I think that this is still going. He’d just love to see that, see us out here in groups. I think that would make him really happy.”
Hole #10
Turning for the back nine, Mark Regal, who is married to Tom’s oldest daughter, Anne Marie, and has been on for 26 years, knows Tom is still watching out for him like he did for everybody during his 43 years on the job.
“Yeah, he’s helping me today. Thanks, Dad, I needed a little help on that last one,” Mark praises. “It’s just a great day to unwind and let loose. This was his day and it’s our day to be with him.”
Hole #11
Tom Jr. answers the inevitable ques- tions without being asked. Yes, his father, who passed away in 2012, is looking down on everybody. And, yes, he is smiling.
“He’s glad that we’re all together and we’re all out here having a good time and keeping it going,” Tom Jr. assures. “He loved this event. He started in the winter
Mark Regal, son-in-law of golf outing founder Tom Skelly, rolls a putt while, from left, Rick Re- gal, Ray Centracco and Rick Centracco watch.
raising money, hitting up different com- panies, law firms...this was a big deal to him. People come out for the police. He loved it, and he loved the FOP.”
Hole #12
One of the foursomes reunites an el- ement the department doesn’t seem to have so much of these days: longtime partners. Daniel Quaid, a unit rep in 022, is playing with his partner of 17 years, Jack Ryan. That partnership apparently has given him a valuable experience to bring to union representation.
“You have to show a united front for the members,” Quaid shares. “I hope mem- bers realize that. A lot of times, cops are bitching and moaning about things, but when it comes to the job, we have their
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