Monday, September 5, 2022
I spent 3rd-6th grade and middle school summers living at my grandmother’s house a few doors down from the DiBrango family on Rutger St in East Utica. I was closest with David, but knew all the siblings and have fond memories. I thought I’d take a moment to share my memories of Tommy, David and the remaining brother’s carrying on, Tony & Eddie.
Tommy was always the rowdy one, riding minibikes, a rough and tumble kinda guy when we were young. As he grew into his late teens, he mellowed and his laugh was hysterical (60’s TV Batman Riddler laugh) and infectious, always seemingly in good spirits. He maintained contact with our mutual friends, Nick Ricci and the also gone too soon, Carmen Filletti. My funniest memory is boxing with Tommy with 12 oz groves on in Carmen’s driveway and I struck a couple of blows on Tommy… I proceeded to run away as he chased me into the neighborhood since I was a pipsqueak and had surprised him…. good times….☺️
First off, full disclosure…. I was present when Dave fell off the bicycle handlebars and broke his 2 front teeth in half… to follow, he had to wear these copper colored jackets on his two front teeth (it was the 70’s who knew what crazy things they did). My grandfather, who nicknamed everyone, anointed him David Copperfield…. David grew to be a man mountain by the time we were 12 and while he generally couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn in baseball, when he did connect, the ball sailed for miles... he was the David Kingman of Little League (.200 batting average, 450 homeruns)… I believe Dave hit between 5-10 home runs in little league…I still owe him $5.00 (plus interest) over that…! My dad would take us to Sylvan beach for a Saturday here and there. What I remember most is that David was a mountain of a man-boy, but a sweet, honest, gentle giant. I’m sad we didn’t reconnect prior to his passing… and to give him that $5.00…
Tony was the cool brother from my perspective, with his long hair, mustache and guitar, the George Harrison sibling… laid back for the most part. Very deliberate in his speech and fiercely independent. I think he even had the John Lennon colored sunglass specs… and maybe a suede fringe jacket…?
Eddie, the youngest. I never saw Eddie in a bad mood though he did suffer the unending typical taunting from his older siblings… Eddie had an infectious smile showing off his little kid dimples… Every time I saw Eddie over the teen years, I was continually amazed at how big he was getting. Always a very respectful young man.
I didn’t really know Sherry, but do recall how protective each brother was of her and how they cared for her.
Wonderful memories of a great family. My sincerest condolences for your loss.