Bucko, born again

Roger Carlson

COSTA MESA - A memorial service was held for David “Bucko” Shaw

Saturday afternoon at the Lighthouse Church, and somewhat similar to many

instances in his life over a span of 44 years, Bucko was kind of a step

ahead of everyone.

His ashes had been strewn along the end of 50th St. in Newport Beach

on Friday.

His heart, however, remains at 16th St. and Irvine.

Services, which amounted to a celebration of the one-time Newport

Harbor football player, and assistant coach, were about what you’d expect

for someone who seemed to be everyone’s friend, except if you were on the

other side of the line of scrimmage when the Sailors lined up.

Seemingly always in a “cruising pattern,” Bucko Shaw leaves a number

of “families” in his wake, as well as his parents, Bob and Dewey, brother

Bob and sisters Sandy and Karen.

Among the tributes were memories of how well he got along with

youngsters, ala John Candy in the movie, “Uncle Buck,” and how well he

could provide the punch lines.

Former teammate Dave Simmons told of how he stepped in one time and

“took Simmons’ SAT,” for him, and others spoke of his happy lifestyle and

eventually some changes which brought him home.

I knew Bucko. But, gosh, as they said Saturday, who didn’t?

My most vivid memories of Bucko was when he called one day asking if

he could get all of Harbor’s football scores, from Day One. He wanted to

make a record board. I obliged.

Later, in the second half of the 1985 season, we hooked up again on

the telephone for several Sunday afternoons.

I would be calling the Sailors’ football coach, Mike Giddings, seeking

the Tars’ Players of the Game for the previous Friday night.

Giddings, however, wasn’t in a speaking mood because he was mad at me.

And knowing I’m a creature of habit, Giddings knew exactly who was

calling each Sunday at 4.

Bucko would answer, act as the intermediary, and give me the

information.

Mike Giddings eventually mellowed out, but at the time, I very much

appreciated Bucko and his demeanor. I mean, hey, so Giddings is mad. So

what? Bucko isn’t!

I saw him again at the Paul Troxel services and just like everyone

said on Saturday, you would have thought you were the best friend he had.

Bucko Shaw crossed the paths of a lot of Sailors, and near-Sailors,

and everyone seems to have a couple of chuckles or more for it.

Scanning the packed church ... Helfrich, Bazacas, Giddings, Brinkley,

Simmons, and many others, it was in a sense an archaelogical dig. ,

In his final days as the ravages of liver cancer took their toll, some

of his most private moments were revealed as he prayed and said, “No

matter what, I surrender it all to you.

“I’m just going to walk with you the best I can.”

Bucko had been doing the best he could for some time.

He was a surfer at heart who played football at Newport Harbor, and

had a love for Newport that seems to transcend itself thoughout the Long

Gray Line.