Nick Colasanto

I am writing this not to give my opinion for or against anything, but to pay tribute to a man who has made a great difference in my life and who is no longer with us. His name is Nick Colasanto, better known as “Coach” Ernie Pantusso on the NBC television show, “Cheers.”

I can only tell you a little about him, for he was not one to talk about himself. In the short time I knew him he was always more concerned about others.

I am a 17-year-old in Rochester, N.Y., who has struggled with cancer on and off for the last seven years of his life. Through a friend’s writing to Nick about me, he found this out. Right away Nick got in touch with the friend to find out how to get a hold of me.

In the middle of February ’84 I received a long-distance phone call from Los Angeles. It was Nick. We talked for almost half an hour and when I hung up I had his phone number to call him collect anytime. I also had his invitation to come to Hollywood to meet the cast and see them film a segment of the show. It happened in August and it was the high point of my life.

The trip was fantastic and I’m sure would have been great publicity for Nick and the show, but that is not the way it happened. There were no stories or anything of the sort and everything came right out of Nick’s pocket, including air fare, hotel, meals, and all kinds of sightseeing.

And all during my stay, though he didn’t feel very well, Nick was constantly asking and concerned about how I was doing and that I was enjoying myself.

I just want to say that this man took a lot of time, and dug a large hole in his pocket to make one person happy. In doing so his character came shining through. Nick was a fine, gentle, solid man who I’m sure influenced many others than myself, and I will miss him dearly. Thank you, Nick and goodby.

MARK DILLON

Rochester, N.Y.