My Father

I do not even know where to start. I can not even find the words. It is tough to think my life will go on without the single most influential person...my driving force. My father taught me how to act, my father taught me how to be, my father taught me to love, my father taught me how to enjoy every single moment. One of his famous quotes was "Every day above ground is a good day". I think about those words every day, when I am sad, when I am lonely, when I am busy working, when I am aggravated, when I am happy, when I lose, when I win. Going over his words over and over again, I believe I am starting to understand what he truely meant. He meant that even though life can be shit sometimes (and trust me I have been down shit road many of times), we are all just lucky to be alive. If we can all value life the way he did the world would be a much better place. Life is to fucking short to worry about the small stuff.


All my father ever needed was his friends and his family. He was so proud of his family, of me and Casey, it would radiate out of him. I would make fun of him because he was just so corny sometimes with us. Not that many sons out there would say I love you to their fathers but he would make me say it everyday. I understand why he was the was he was. He lost his parents at a young age of around 15 and he loved them very much. It made him understand how precious life is and how to cherious the ones you love the most.


My father was the coolest Dad any kid could ask for. He coached me in all my sports growing up, actually one of the main reasons he went to Yaleet, during the time, was so could have more time to coach me and Casey. Casey stopped playing soccer but I continued and we won together as father and son, 12 championships. 6 little league championships, 4 soccer, and 2 basketball. Man all of those memories. I still have a couple game balls that he would hand out. He would write your game stats on the ball so you could keep the memory.

One the funniest and fondest memories growing up, Casey can back me up on this :), was that he would put on these theatrical shows for us during the evenings. He was pretty creative with his shows and took them pretty seriously. What I remember still to this day was him singing "Ain't No Mountain Higher" the Diana Ross version. Not only was he singing and dancing at the highest point of his vocal octive and craziest dancing abilities but he was also wearing a blanket drapped around his back like a cape. Just picture my father singing Diana Ross and doing the whole show and hopefully that will put a smile on your face. Well I am out and peace out.

-Chris Cheffo

Remembering...

I feel a bit odd that I am the first one to post a second blog, but those of you who know me, know that I have a lot to say about a lot. Since the last time I wrote, I have been trying to remember the last time that I saw Tom. Again, complete blank. So many memories and yet there is a void. I remember the last time I saw each of my grandparents. I remember all too well the last time that I saw my mother-in-law. On and on, one of the truths about life is that we will never be able to keep those who are closest to us forever.

For those of us that were lucky enough to be there on Monday night, it has been proven that you can keep the spirit alive. For those of you that were not there, you missed one of the most special nights of my life. I am not talented enough to play and sing for Tom the way that Kent, Kevin, Jmac, and Erica did...but it was an honor to dance and smile and laugh in his honor. I still can't believe how lucky I am to have all of you as a part of my life!

A tie dyed bracelet was thrown in my direction at the beginning of the night. I intend on keeping it around my wrist as a reminder...not to send out good vibes to a friend in need, but as a reminder to be thankful for everyday that I wake up, breath in, and an extra reminder to smile. When the going gets tough, the tough stop and take a deep breath. Don't get me wrong, I still send the good vibes to those that need it...

In the words of Warren Haynes..."what will we do with our lives, now, anyway?"...remember and pay tribute to those who made you who you are. That's what my plan is....

Missy Johnson

TC

I met Tommy Cheffo when I was 17. (52 now!) We worked together at Apollo Portraits in New Hyde Park. Anyone that worked with Tommy knows what it's like to go to work everyday and work with someone that just makes your day. We laughed all day long and never felt like we were working. He made everyday brighter than the next day. I used to go to his apartment in Woodhaven and listen to everyone play their music. We would watch Saturday Night Live every weekend. That was when Saturday Night Live was really good. Tommy was a charm. He was a bright light in my world.
After a few years of not being in touch, I was in Huntington one day in a leather shop with a girlfriend that just moved there. I was trying on a very cool sheepskin coat...in the reflection of the mirror I saw a familiar reflection.....could it be??? Yes it was. It was Tommy Cheffo! Even after all the time we hadn't seen each other, there was that happy friendly smiling face. We kept in touch since then. I have to say that my life would never have been the same if he wasn't a part of my life. There aren't many people like Tom Cheffo. After attending his wake, which was as nice as a wake could be, I realized how many people feel the same way that I do. I always knew he was special. When his daughter Casey spoke and got up to sing, I knew that she is a continuation of her amazing dad. How lucky his family was to have had someone like Tommy to be their dad and husband.
I have my little tie dye ribbon hanging in my car, when I look at it, I smile. Thanks Tommy! elisa