The other night my mom called to say my uncle Chet passed away. He was one one my father’s three brothers. I didn’t really know him all that well, since we moved from New York when I was fifteen, so all my memories are those of a child, and an adolescent. But I’ll share them with you anyway.
I have three main memories of Chet. First, that he was very tall. Now, that could have just been me, as a small child, thinking everyone was tall, but it seems when we would go to Babcie & Dzydzie’s house, and he would come into the room, he was very tall. He and my uncle Richie, both enormous giants.
Next, I remember that at one time he had the most peculiar occupation of being a House-Sitter. In fact, the local Sunday newspaper magazine did an article about housesitters, and he was on the cover. I saved that cover, because how often does one of your relatives get on the cover of a magazine? And also because I thought the picture was cool.
Next I remember that one year for Christmas, Uncle Chet gave me a really cool little container for what-nots. As you can see, it’s covered with images of animals. I’ve always thought of them as antelopes, though I could be wrong. On the bottom it only says “India” in a strange handwriting. I was surely a pre-teen when I got this, so by now it’s very old, bordering on antique?? 
It’s made many many moves with me. Currently it’s holding safety pins. Every time I look at it, I remember the gift giver, and how honored I was, as a young girl, that my older and much taller uncle thought enough of me to give me such an international gift. I hate to keep using the word “cool,” but really….how cool!
I started out saying there Are only two things I remember about my uncle, then changed it to three, and have need to change it again to “four,” but I won’t change it, I’ll just tell you now the most important thing I remember. Speaking of gifts, one year, when I was no older than fifteen, for Christmas he gave me a Seals & Crofts album. At that time, I was just coming out of the Monkees and the Cowsills, had maybe advanced to Donovan and John Denver. I had no idea who Seals & Crofts were. He said, “Just listen, they’re really good, you’ll like them.” And I did, and they were…and I did!
When I look back on it now, this was probably my first experience of someone introducing me to “New Music.” Nowadays, finding New Music is always such a joy for me. Some of my favorite musical artists today I found because someone (usually one of my kids) sends me a text, or a You Tube link, saying “Hey! Try this!”
There’s always that possibility that there is music out there in the world somewhere that is going to be the best music I have ever heard, and most likely I will not find it unless some kind soul says, “Just listen, they’re really good, you’ll like them.” My Uncle Chet was the first person to open that door for me, and I’ll always remember and appreciate that. I hope he’s now in the place with the best music ever, and someday we can listen to it together.
Thank you so much for helping me remember my brother in such a beautiful way. I especially enjoyed seeing that picture of him “house-sitting”, I remember that so well, and how excited we were to see it for the first time. He invited us to come and see some of the beautiful estate homes that he stayed at, and they were wonderful to see how the very rich lived. It was nice to see him looking so handsome and young in that picture. I’m glad that you saved it.
And I have to add, he did give very nice gifts at Christmas. I still have the sewing basket that he gave me one Christmas. It must be over 40 years old. Somehow I can’t seem to part with it, especially now that I hardly pick up a needle and thread.
I know that he is in a better place and that we will be reunited and see one another in that better place.
Remember when we use to play cards at Christmas and Uncle Chet was the dealer, he would always say, “Watch out for the dealer”!, even to this day I remember him saying that and I jus have to smile.
Thanks again for the memories.
Love forever,
Aunt Barbara
Yes! I remember going to babci and dziadzi’s house and playing cards with uncle Chet and my brothers and how he always said, “Look out for the dealer!” when he was dealing the cards. Nice fun memories… i wish we kept in better touch with him. Chrissy, I also remember seeing that picture of Chet in the newspaper. He was a cool dude.
Monica
It’s funny that you and Barbara have that same memory. I must have been just a little too young for cards at that time. Well…I do remember “Go Fish” with my sister and brothers, but that’s not the same. Yes, he was a cool dude. Agreed!
I am glad to hear he is in a better place and we will all be reunited someday. That makes the Circle of Life a little easier to bear, when it truly is a circle, never ending.
Letme tell you about another side of Chet. Chet tended Bar for me at Trimbles Pub for 10 years. Hewas always the best prepared bar tender, Had white rag wipe over his wrist/arm. Always got a napkin 1st. Although it was the 70’s hippies and space cadets much appreciated it. Chet was very bright and could talk on many subjects. With a drink or two he was very very funny. I agree that it is sad that all of us didn’t spend more time with him in the last 20 years. Hope this helps to complete part of the picture of Chet. He was a great guy. John T.
Thanks for your input, John. It’s always great to hear different voices, everyone’s different experiences about the people we’ve known.