We moved around a lot growing up– I had been in seven different schools by the time sixth grade rolled around. Even with the many bumps in the road, at the time it all seemed normal enough. There was even the opportunity for some special moments which wouldn’t have otherwise happened. Orchard Park Middle School … Continue reading Nothing like sharing a pop with my ol’man
My ol’man used to (somewhat proudly) tell the story about how he got suspended from South Park High School for ditching class to go see Lyndon Johnson speak in Niagara Square. LBJ and Lady Bird with Buffalo Mayor Frank Sedita and New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller in Buffalo in 1966.In the 40 years or so … Continue reading Presidents Day reflection: The Ol’Man & LBJ
March 28th was Palm Sunday eight years ago– I remember because during the 3am hour, Dad had a heart attack in his hospital bed at the VA, and despite the best efforts of the ICU team, he died. That’s him, by the way, on the left with his older brothers Mike “Hooker” Doyle and Chuck … Continue reading My ol’man’s been gone eight years– but not too far…
As I continue to evolve into my father, with great anticipation, I bought a fruitcake today. My ol’man would excitedly exclaim, “Man, cut that up! I LOVE fruitcake!” to no one in particular, because no one else would eat what I assumed was rotten dreck. Well just now, I ate a quarter of this thing … Continue reading The Ol’man & Fruitcake
My ol’man taught us respect for everyone, and as a veteran, he made sure that we understood that veterans deserved extra respect. We always gave a buck to the dusty, shriveled World War I vets who were selling poppies outside the grocery store and the bank. In this increasingly cashless world, when I don’t have … Continue reading As my ol’man taught us, it’s not enough, but “thanks”
It’s my favorite Dukes of Hazzard moment. I was in First Grade, and “The Dukes” were just about the most popular thing in the world. Maybe tied with Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. The early ’80s were a tough time in South Buffalo– and my dad had a tough time finding work. Plants closed and he … Continue reading My ol’man, pizza, and the Dukes of Hazzard
Happy birthday to my ol’man– who if on this mortal coil to celebrate, might very well have mixed up some terribly weak iced tea in the blue container you can see on the counter in this late 80’s pic. He then would have mixed that barely-iced-tea with some turpentine-like cheap blended whisky in that plastic … Continue reading Celebrating my ol’man’s birthday
By Steve Cichon | steve@buffalostories.com | @stevebuffalo BUFFALO, NY –Been thinking about the ol’man today, so I’m wearing a pair of his pajamas… PROPERTY OF THE VA. He made dozens of emergency trips to the VA Hospital over the last decade of his life, and was admitted for many of those times, and when he … Continue reading The Ol’man’s still pulling one over on the VA
By Steve Cichon | steve@buffalostories.com | @stevebuffalo BUFFALO, NY — I could almost smell the Vitalis at Easter Mass this past weekend. The generations old tradition of tiny little boys with their hair slicked down to their heads for church makes me smile and melts away decades. I have thick, wily hair, and the only time … Continue reading My ol’man lives on in the little things every day
By Steve Cichon | steve@buffalostories.com | @stevebuffalo Intellectually, I know there is no time or space in heaven, so today is just a glorious, random day in an eternity of glorious random days. I further know in heaven, we have no need for our earthly contrivances, because in spirit we are perfection. Intellectually, I know … Continue reading Five years later, I miss my Ol’Man to the moon and back
