Family of shooting victim remembers a lost loved one
By ANNA TELATOVICH atelatovich@sungazette.com “He was a really good, loving father. He treated me so well, I couldn’t ask for a better dad,” Brittni Speck said Sunday of her dad, Randy Speck.Speck, 49, was killed Friday night in what police are calling a random act of violence.
“My dad loved to travel and he loved the beach,” the 18-year-old said. Brittni and her father spent many summers together, soaking up the sun in Ocean City, Md., or Myrtle Beach, S.C. “It was awesome, it was the best,” Brittni said of a cruise she took with her father to the Caribbean. “We were really close.”
Brittni, Randy’s only child, will turn 19 on Thursday.
“She was the world to him,” Randy’s mother, Jane Speck, said of her granddaughter.
Jane remembers her son as a “mischievous” young boy, who “never gave me any trouble” and grew into a fun-loving, hard-working man.
Randy devoted time to his garden, growing “lots of tomatoes, peppers, snap peas, asparagus, onions. He planted oodles of garlic,” she said.
“He grew 10 times more vegetables than he knew he could possibly eat, just so he could go around and give them to people,” Randy’s brother, Donald Speck, said.
Generosity and humor were attributes every member of the Speck family will remember about Randy.
“He was just constantly giving and making everybody laugh,” his mother said. At the time of his death, he lived with his mother in Loyalsock Township.
Randy’s younger sister, Karen Speck-Berger, remembers her brother as “always the clown ... very kind hearted and giving, always giving to people.”
Karen said her brother gave her children a “second Christmas this year.” Six nephews and nieces will grow up hearing stories about Uncle Randy’s love and giving spirit.
“Every time I see anything of his ... I don’t know why somebody would take him when he was always giving to people,” his sister said between sobs.
Randy’s other brother, Ronald, joked about a hobby they shared. “Both of us loved to eat. We use to laugh about all the stuff he would eat,” he said, chuckling. When Randy cooked, “he would kick it up several notches.”
Ronald is six years older than Randy. “If he was in trouble, he knew he could call me or his brother, Don. You know brothers, they love each other.”
Donald Speck had trouble putting into words what it is he will tell people about his brother. “He was just a good-hearted person. His stuff didn’t mean much to him ... I know he’d give you the shirt off his back.”
When he wasn’t gardening or spending time his family, Randy was a hunter, a fisher, a golfer and an avid football fan. “He’s got some really beautiful trophy mounts,” Donald said of his brother’s collection of wildlife.
“If he were alive right now to tell me what to say, he’d tell me to tell you ‘I hunt, I fish and there’s no football team on the planet earth better than the Steelers,’ ” Donald said.
Brittni said that her father’s love of football has been passed onto her “a little bit”
Donald called Brittni the light of his brother’s life.
For 25 years, Randy worked at Alcan Cable, where he met and became friends with Dale Miller. “He was definitely a very kind person. He loved to work, he loved to play as well, but must of all he loved his family and his friends,” Miller said.
Returning to work without Randy is going to difficult for Miller, he said. “Randy was very well recognized. He was the best guy in the world. He was my best friend.”
I was saddend deeply this morning to see that Mr. Berrettini has passed away from his injuries. Rich was a very kind,compassionate man. I worked with him for a very brief period, and he was just an awesome individual. A great role model for his fellow health care providers and for his students. I hope Rich recieved the kind of care that he gave to so many. Rest in peace my friend.
Saturday, January 12, 2008 5:18:00 AM EST
I found this morning that someone that was a big person at heart has died and because of that, he was defending his country.
I worked with Mr. Berrettini and he was also a very caring nurse of mine in high school. Mr. Berrettini and I would always have the greatest conversations and when I was moving to Florida he was sad to see me go but happy that I was moving on and wished me the best of luck. We will miss you! RIP
Saturday, January 12, 2008 2:46:00 PM EST