Joy FM Staff Honors Their Father’s

Joe Chille and his Dad Albert

My Dad (Al Chille) and me!  My brother Mike was also in the picture, but I cropped him out (ha!).

My Dad is 85 years old, and is still kickin’.  He goes to exercise three mornings a week.

My Mom, MaryAnn Chille passed away a couple of years ago and my Dad remarried.  His wife Pat, (my stepmom) is a wonderful person too, and probably responsible for my Dad’s great health, and outlook on life.

Dad was in the Army Aircorps, (later re-named the US Air Force).  He manned an under-belly machine gun on a B-17, which we always thought was “way-cool”.  He was a Real Estate agent, a teacher in Lockport and Niagara Falls, and retired from the Niagara Falls School System as Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools.  Having “failed” miserably at retirement, he immediately returned to work as Executive Director of the Niagara County SPCA, and just recently retired.

I admire my Dad for so many things, taking care of my Mom when she was ill, always being active in the community, and always have a upbeat, infectious good mood!

My Dad and Pat live in Lewiston, still like to travel and camp, and I see them a few times each week.  I feel very lucky to still have my Dad (into MY 50’s), and look forward to more great times with him in the future.  After all his Mom lived to 101.

Happy Fathers Day!!

Cheryl Hagen and her Dad John

We'll be celebrating Father's Day at the ballpark.  I wouldn't be surprised to see my dad at my son's game.  He's usually there, sitting behind the backstop offering Ryan some batting advice or hanging over the outfield fence as if poised to catch a fly ball.  When I think of my dad, his love of baseball is one of many things that comes to mind.  He's the kind of father who coached my softball team (and my brother's baseball team). My dad's a "do it yourselfer" who fixed it if it was broken, and sometimes even if it wasn't.  I remember coming home from school one day, and he was busting up our back hall to make room for a bigger kitchen.  That was one of several additions to our house over the years all dreamed up and built by my father with the help of a few friends and relatives.

My dad worked two full time jobs when I was little, one on the railroad and the other as a Buffalo firefighter.  He stayed with the Buffalo Fire Department for 32 years.  I can remember trips to the fire hall to pick up his check.  I loved it because there was always candy in a cupboard below the sink.  I loved to listen to the stories he told about the fire house, and sometimes about the fires and people involved other emergencies.  My dad's years as a firefighter and the time he spent in Korea gave him a unique perspective on what's important in life.  I think he's passed that on to me and so many other people.

My dad has always been a great storyteller.  I still love to hear about growing up in a family with 12 children, places here in Buffalo, people he's met through the years, places he's visited, and other life experiences.  He's not only got my attention, but my kids too.  All the love and time he found for me while I was growing up, is now also being showered on my children.  He's a regular at any of the kids' games whether it's baseball, lacrosse or hockey.  Our friends not only know him, but they love him too.  I'm often told by friends that they see my father in my son.

My dad has always been there when I needed him.  Not once, has he ever let me down from my earliest memories, through my school years, college, and beyond.  He's always there to lend a hand, money, offer advice, or to give me a hug.  In my eyes, My dad is the greatest man I have ever known.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Chuck Stevens and his Dad Charlie

This photo is a shot of Dad and me at High School Graduation in our backyard in Rochester. For me Father’s Day is a day for me to count my blessings. I’m lucky to have such a wonderful wife and two great kids. Father’s Day is also a day I remember my Dad. While he’s no longer with us, he continues to be an important part of my life. Dad worked for Atlantic Richfield most of his career, and when he took early retirement he was able to retire to Florida and do what he loved fulltime. Fish! Especially those three am shrimp boat runs! He helped raise three kids with his wisdom and guidance. I think of him often. Whenever life throws a curve ball, I always ask myself what Dad would do in this situation. I miss him very much, but I know he’s with me wherever I go.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s!