Some may argue that Roy ‘Doc’ Halladay was one of the best pitchers of his generation. Others, like his wife Brandy Halladay, would contest that he was an even better man.
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A husband, father, friend and teammate, the two-time Cy Young Award winner tragically died Nov. 7 when the private plane he was piloting crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. He was 40 years old.
More than 1,000 people took to the stands at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Florida, on Tuesday for the “Celebration of Life for Roy Halladay.”
The public memorial began with a video tribute, and ended with Brandy Halladay, the last of nine speakers, delivering a heart-warming eulogy and releasing butterflies from the pitcher’s mound.
“All eyes are on me,” Brandy Halladay opened her emotional tribute. “I’m really fortunate that I’ve gotten used to that feeling because I’ve been literally standing next to a man for 21 years that people could not take their eyes off of.”
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Remembering her husband as “awe-striking,” and “beautiful, inside and out,” Brandy Halladay recounted the way Roy made people feel.
“Without saying a word, he always seemed to have the right thing to say. And when he did speak, people listened.”
Brandy Halladay shared the couple’s love story, how they met as teenagers in their Colorado hometown, got married and had two sons, Ryan and Braden, who were seated in the front row for Tuesday’s service.
“We had a huge life. We had a beautiful family and we kept going,” she said. “No matter what, we never stopped. It was just what we did. It’s what you do in baseball and it’s what we’re going to keep doing.”
Speaking to her sons, Brandy noted how much she appreciates them stepping up to care for her in the week since their father’s death. Still, she urged them to “slow down,” and let her be the “crazy” mom that gets to take care of them.
“And we miss him. But we still have so much of him.” – Brandy Halladay #CelebrateDoc pic.twitter.com/25lnR9hH7E
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 15, 2017
“Best of all,” she said to the boys, “I still get to see him every day. Because I look at you. And if this is what it took for me to have you boys, then it’s worth it.”
The memorial was live-streamed on MLB.com, and ended with Brandy Halladay encouraging everyone to “hug your families a little tighter because you can.”
“Take a minute each day to remember how truly blessed we are,” she said. “Thank you all so much for everything. Not just today. But every minute that we’ve ever been able to share with you. I’m so grateful.”
Roy Halladay was an eight-time All-Star, who pitched a perfect game and a playoff no-hitter during his 16-year career. He played 12 seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays and four with the Phillies, before retiring in 2013.
Watch Brandy’s heartbreakingly beautiful tribute to her late husband in the video below.
