Blue and Orange Army unites to honor Mike Bossy
Mike Bossy’s number 22 has been retired by the Islanders for just over 30 years. It also hangs on the Blue and Orange Army’s wall in the Oyster Bay Brewery.
After the Islanders announced on Friday morning that Bossy died at age 65, members of the Blue and Orange Army — an Islander fan group known for its enthusiasm and creative chants — gathered at the brewery on Audrey Avenue on Friday night to watch the team face the Canadiens in honor of the late legend.
“When I was a kid, my dad would take me to Islander games and point out Mike Bossy and tell me to keep an eye on him,” said James Fesselmeyer, 39, of West Babylon and co-founder of the Blue and Orange Army.
Several fans recalled interactions with Bossy, including Fesselmeyer, who remembered seeing Bossy in section 329, which the Blue and Orange Army occupies at home games.
(L-R) Blue and Orange Army members David Celentano of East Meadow, Blaine Aronovitch of Great Neck, William Chiarucci of Bellmore, James Fesselmeyer of West Babylon and Daniel Fisher of Hicksville gather to watch the Islanders in honor of fallen former star Mike Bossy on Friday, April 15, 2022 at Oyster Bay Brewery. Credit: Howard Simmons
“I grew up watching Mike Bossy,” said Daniel Fisher, 54, of Hicksville. “I got to meet him on several occasions and he was always outgoing and willing to stop and take a picture with a fan.”
Bossy, the prolific goal-scorer, helped lead the franchise to all four of its Stanley Cup titles from 1980-83.
“We’ve known this was coming for a few weeks, but it’s just a sad day to be an Islanders fan even though I never got to watch him play,” said William Chiarucci, 31, from Bellmore.
Even with the Islanders likely to miss the postseason, the Blue and Orange Army had to get together to honor of Bossy.
“We usually meet up here to watch most games,” Fesselmeyer said. “But we figured it would be fitting to have an extra beer or two or 22 for Mr. Bossy.”
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