FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The passing of longtime New England Patriots radio play-by-play man Gil Santos has sparked a flood of memories, as his booming voice and majestic calls will forever be part of how many remember some of the team's most special championship moments.

Gil was a Patriots Hall of Famer, his passion for the team immense and his talent to paint the picture of what was happening on the field a special gift.

Pair all of that with that unforgettable voice, and it was a special Patriots package.

Behind the scenes, Gil was always gracious, right down to our last email exchange on Super Bowl Sunday. I had shared a personal piece that day about how the Patriots' sustained success has helped me mark the passage of time in different ways.

Gil reached out with a note of his own after reading it.

Mike,

Nice piece...brought back memories of many things similar to what you wrote.

Tell Dad I say "HI" and I'll be watching the lads win #6 in the comfort of my recliner.

Best wishes,

Gil

Those 35 words, in so many ways, sum up what I'd like to share about Gil Santos.

Gil always asked about my dad, with whom he had a professional connection from their time together in the business. Because of Gil's genuine empathy, I felt a stronger connection to him, and in turn, my dad.

Gil loved the Patriots. The email says it all.

Gil appreciated all that the game brought him. I viewed his friendship with analyst Gino Cappelletti as special, and when the two would go out to dinner on road trips, I marveled at how the finest restaurants in those cities often rolled out the red carpet for them year after year. They ate well, no doubt. Having a seat at that table when I was first joining the traveling party -- back in the late 1990s at Billy Ogden's in Buffalo -- is a memory to savor.

Gil was a master of the "less is more" approach. Right down to his Patriots Hall of Fame speech in 2013, he got right to the point, eloquently and professionally so.

And Gil was like a one-man Patriots library, recalling things from the late 1960s to the present with remarkable clarity and insight.

Because of that, and more, the Patriots have lost such a meaningful part of their history with his passing.

"For Adam Vinatieri, a 48-yard field goal attempt. Set to go. Snap, ball down, kick up, kick is on the way. and ... it ... is good! It's good! It's good! Adam Vinatieri booms a 48-yard field goal and the game is over! And the Patriots are Super Bowl champions! The Patriots are Super Bowl Champions! The best team in the National Football League!"