Randy Sperl
ByThe Capital Region Celtic Pipe Band has lost one of it’s most influential members.
Earlier this week, Randy Sperl, former D/S of the CRC Grade 3 pipe band, died in his home. Randy joined CRC when the band originally formed in 2002 serving as lead tip for the grade 3 band and instructing the grade 4 and grade 5 bands. CRC won numerous prizes with Randy leading the percussion section, writing our scores, and playing with his keen ear for ensemble.
Randy was joined in subsequent years in the CRC ranks by his sister Kerrie, his daughter Ashley and his nephew Nick. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the entire family.
Outside of the circle Randy also was quite a character. Who will ever forget the orange firebird pulling up at the Maxville games?! Some photographs of Randy are below. I am not sure why I took the photo of Randy helping someone in a wheelchair in need at the Montreal games, but I think it speaks volumes about the person he was.
Please feel free to share your fondest memories of Randy here if you would like. We will be sure to share them with his family.
Details about services are located here.
There are so many memories of Randy that I don’t know where to start, he was that kind of guy. I’ll remember his outrageous (and definitely not family-friendly) sense of humor and ear-to-ear grin, his pride when talking about his girls, and his love for pipe band drumming. I had pretty much retired from playing when I got a call to come down to a CRC practice. I wish I could have thanked Randy for making playing fun for me again. He will be dearly missed.
He was a wild 20 year old with a mullet when I joined his family band Amerscot…He matured into a wild adult…Great energy, gross humour masking a pretty constant physical pain he didn’t especially complain about…big sweet funnyman…great love and pride in his family…excellent self-taught drummer…so filled with life I can’t believe he’s gone.
It will be a much less interesting world without Randy.
I’m touched by this tribute Pat. Thank You. I didn’t realize you guys had changed the website but it looks nice. Just for the heck of it I did a name search on my brother and this is the first thing that poppeed up. I have to say… we are completely amazed at how many people came out to pay their respects for Randy and stories that everyone has shared has helped bring us some comfort. I’ve been drumming by my brother’s side for almost 28 years and I dread the upcoming season. I can’t imagine going out in the line without him. But thankfully, there are many “Randy” stories and they have kept us laughing and smiling…especially since they are all so crazy. His goal in life I believe was just to make people laugh or put a smile on their face, and that he did.
Thanks again to all of you came to pay their respects. I would have liked to have been able to spend more time chatting with you all but it was so busy so let me just express my appreciation. Randy was very proud of his drum corp and the band was extended family to him. Thank you for remembering him as one of your own.
With love, Kerrrie
Not much I can say that the people of CRC and the Pipe Band world don’t already know. Randy was wild, crazy, a phenomenal drummer, passionate about music, and a great family guy. Randy taught me an awful lot about drumming, basically that you need to take it serious but to have fun with it. He intimidated the crap out of me when he would listen to my playing or when he double checked my tuning of the drums. He was one of the few people that had a nickname for me as he called me Blakester from the time I met him. On two occaisions, I found my self rooming with Randy in Canada. Aside from some unmentionable conversations and some CRC branded back shaving, we actually had some good conversations that made me realize there was much more to him than the wild side that most people saw. He had a great heart and loved his family.
Lastly, I played for Amerscots in a parade two years ago with Randy. He teased me about the spats as I told him I would never wear them. I will definitely miss his antics, his music and his genuine personality.
Blake G
There are so many things people can say about Randy. He was one of those people who was always laughing at the stupidest stuff then make everyone else laugh at it to. You could cry and laugh you butt off 2 seconds later because he said “Get In My Belly!!!”. Its not that funny but he would make it funny. I would hear a different story about when Randy growing up about his young crazy life as a teenager and older. I would sometimes ask for him to tell the same story over again. Some days he would bring me to school in the winter and tell me about bumper humping. I would laugh so hard. I know i wasnt part of CRC but it was something that appealed to me. He is dearly missed. <3