Goodbye my brother

[Vic81]

I said goodbye to someone this week who meant a whole lot to me.  He was a father, husband, uncle, grandfather, an animal lover and to me he was a mentor, a father figure, a brother, a deadhead that went back to the 70’s but mostly Frank was my close friend. 

I met Frank in 2007 as I entered the fire department and he was my original Captain of the house. On our lockers we all have stickers and stupid stuff but on the front of his locker was a JGB sticker. I said wow my captain is a deadhead with such delight. 
 

In 2010 I organized a bunch of us including Captain Frank to go see DSO. He already seen them and so had I. Some of the guys not into the dead the least bit, some knew a few songs but me Frank and 2 other guys were there for the music. Everyone had a blast. 
 

Some of you out there know me and have met Frank a few times. We went to many many DsO shows throughout the years together. He alway wanted to make JITS but never found the way to get there after retiring at 65 and having health issues, but he still made DSO shows in NJ and NY as best he could. He was a true warrior. 
 

he played the saxophone in a local band called American beauty , I used to go to the jam sessions and sit in the tiny room and listen to them rock out for the 3 hours they had the space rented.  He played in the Capitol Theatre in the 70s with one of his  bands and was so proud of that. 
 

He used to say to me some nights, listen man some people complain about the dead being dead after Jerry. When I close my eyes I listen to DSO it’s there and it’s as close as anyone will ever get man. This band is the real deal. I loved hearing him reminisce about his old days. He was a treasure and special.
 

One night we went to DSO with friends of his. They drove. One woman got sick and had to leave. Her husband wanted to drive the woman home at set break.  So I said Frank im gonna stay I’ll get home you can get a ride with them. He said no way brother im staying with you.  This is a 74 year old man, 35 year FDNY veteran, hobbled and recovering from multiple illness…..stood right by with me. Love you bro

Captain Frank was a sweet loving gentlemen from an era of love. He showed it at work to all of us everyday at the firehouse. He showed it at shows when he spoke to people and he showed it when he played his beloved sax. 

Frank passed away on Jerry birthday. I think that’s fitting. I listen to Sirius XM channel 23 pretty much everyday I’m in the car. The days between show had started that morning and we usually talk. weirdly i hadn’t heard from him I said let me call him and see how he’s doing (he had multiple health things going on). An hour later I got the news. The next week I found some solace in mostly JGB band on channel 23 in the car. 

Im gonna miss him more than words can tell. He did give me a huge amount to live off of. At the firehouse, at shows, and just being a good human being.

i  Love you brother, im gonna miss you tremendously. Your hugs, smile, telling me you loved DSO after the show. I hope you’re playing the sax up there talking to Jerry looking down on all of us. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this , Frank was one of us. 
 

 

 

[chuckvegas]

What a wonderful sharing about a true brother. Thank you for this.

[Greg from Chestertown]

       I describe Dark Star Orchestra to the unknowing as such,

 “ if you were blind, you would think that you’re at a Grateful Dead concert”.