I'm Robert Begley from New York City and I'd like to give a brief speech,
then toast to our man of the hour, Paulie Tirella.

First off however, I want to thank his girlfriend Felicia for the great job
she did at coordinating this surprise event for Paulie. Also, I'd like to
thank the folks at the Brick Café for letting us hold the party here. This
is the first time Paulie has ever been inside this place and wasn't put to
work.

My talk about will be centered around the questionnaire I received in the
mail. I've already answered the first question of who I am.

I have known Paulie since the late '70s.

My first impression was not favorable. Maybe because I wasn't on good terms with my brother Pete at the time, so Paul was guilty by association.

My impression now is that he is a loveable, energetic, passionate, honest,
productive and very reliable 35-year-old man. He is 35, right?

My favorite memory with Paulie was on Christmas 1996. It was a low point in my life. My mother had just passed away and my fiancé Blanca was thousands of miles away with her family in Mexico. Most of my eight brothers and sisters were at our house in Staten Island, depressed. Then Paulie burst in and livened the place up by telling nice stories about my mother. He was cracking jokes, playing piano, cursing, etc. Basically he was being Paulie. I will never forget that night.

The funniest thing Paulie ever said was when he related the story of his first meeting with his all time hero, Alice Cooper. Instead of being awe-inspired and saying "We're not worthy" like in Wayne's World, Paulie told Cooper that the best thing about him was that he wasn't a "bleeping' asshole." Anyone who knows Paulie knows he didn't say "bleeping."

The stupidest thing Paulie ever did/said. Like they said in Spinal Tap, he's not "university material." However, the best example I could remember was perhaps the naming his band Gold Chrome.

The thing I like most about Paulie is the fact that he is non-stop fun to be around.

The nicest thing Paulie ever did for me was get me Rush tickets for next Friday here in Hartford. There are so many other things but that one happens to be the latest.

Paulie once called me after he read some of my writings on my website. He particularly liked some of the eulogies I gave and commented that he hopes I will give one for him. Well, I hate giving eulogies because they always come too late. I'd much rather appreciate people when they are alive. As a result, I want thank his parents and give a toast in appreciation to Paulie. We are all very honored and proud to know you.

Cheers.