Todd Fyfe Obituary

I just today learned of Todd's passing, and I find that it is leaving me with a feeling of sadness and emptiness. I was a classmate of Todd's in 5th grade with Miss Harrington (and possibly 4th with Mrs. Rademacher) at Brentano Elementary. I also considered him a friend, and even though our time was short, we had fun. I will always remember his quick wit and infectious smile. We played "ledge" and "pinners" almost daily outside at recess and I have no idea how many of those "pink balls" were lost over the fence and into the street....good times....
My mother remarried in June, 1979, and I found myself rather suddenly and unceremoniously transplanted to New York at the end of 5th grade. One of my greatest regrets was not staying in touch with Todd. I told my family about him and the fun we had in school, and I must say that after having read the other posts here, it is very apparent that Todd grew up to be a really good guy who touched those who knew him. I smile knowing that I can speak of that personally as well...even all these years later. My deepest condolences to the Fyfe family and all of Todd's friends. May he rest in eternal peace.

Scott Imhof
Monroe, NY

Who could forget Todd? All who knew him miss him. I am the mother of his friends, but he always took time to talk to me personallynot with just the usual "How are you?" (though that would have been enough, because he really cared) but to engage me in a conversation about music or politics or life! He had wit and intelligence and concern for others. His costumes for Halloween were terrific. I remember especially his being Sonny to Maya's Cher (my daughter, who died three years ago during an asthma attack) and then in a River Dance routine, which he maintained during. the whole of a party! I just loved that boy.

Juanita Raman

And here we are....10 years have already passed....still the void is felt daily my friend....

I guess in the era of facebook (I think you wouldn't be impressed) this Legacy book is outdated...
none the less, always in our thoughts Todd
Tony Mona n Alex

Man, 6 years goes fast. We just watched our wedding video, some good Todd footage there my friend!

Uncle Todd I miss you so much not a day goes by were I don;t think about you and wish I could just hug you. When I first heard what happend I was mad and I'm sorry for that I just miss you so damn much it hurts. I love you always

Hm, its been a while.
I thought I had posted here sooner? Well my friend another year is near closing and as always you are in our thoughts.
Tony Mona Alex

Oh, Todd, if you only knew how much we loved you! What a sweet, sincere guy you were--always eager to talk about music and life and rarely about your pain. You will always have a special place in my heart.

Happy Birthday old friend

Hey man
Happy Birthday...always in our thoughts...
Tony Mona and Alex

Todd was my cousin. We weren't real close cousins,But I wish we would have had the chance to know each other.My Prayers are with you all Scott, aunt marth and uncle david. I Love You!!!!!!!

Wow I just got news of Todd's passing,at the 20th reunion-Todd was someone I would run into time to time-after graduation and I was just thinking about what he would be doing- and I can't beleive it. Many of his friends didnt even know I knew him- and man, he was around through a tough time in my life- It shows how many people he touched- he was nice to everyone, and it didn't matter what click you were in in High school- I can't think of anyone having anything bad to say about him..

thanks for the brief levity Todd...

Hey man...

Just did the 20th reunion and it was pretty cool. Lots of people missed the Todd-ster .

Everyone was unhappy and shocked with the news of course :(

Tony

Heh

Happy belated my man!

I saw Jim's post and plum forgot to add something...Interent has been dodgy this week..

Tony, Mona and Alex :)

Happy Birthday old friend.

Merry Christmas old friend. I miss you.

Merry Christmas my friend.

Happy New Year also

Your always in our thoughts, holidays or not

Tony, Mona, & Alex

Merry Christmas 2005

After 12 years, Dave and I finally took the 'plunge' and got married on May 28. I thought about the two men in my life who were no longer with us, you and my dad. I had you both close to my heart as I was walking down the aisle (I was holding on to pictures of you both). Hopefully you were both able to witness the blessed event down here. Although probably considered highly 'untraditional', if you were still here I would have asked you to be my 'Man of Honor.' Since we are (were) both writers, I will always consider you a kindred spirit. As long as I continue to write in my career, there will not be a day I won't think of you. I will always cherish the times we had together.



Love you always,

Happy 37th B-day Todd....

I feel at a loss as to what to write, having been thumbing through some emails Dave sent me containing stories about Todd. A good idea for an email thread....Anyway you are missed every day and reading some of those stories brings it on home a bit more...I will post a story of mine here, 'for the ages'...

Back when we lived pretty close to each other in The City, and I'd have a rough day at home, me n Todd would hoof it up to the Campus Room to play pool for a few hours...Why there I forget, perhaps it was a precursor to his love of Rogers park. We did this many many times, and (believe it or not) we ended up keeping score over months- - ended up a statistical tie at around 147 vs 149 or so. Those seem to be among the best memories, the ones where we were just idling along taking life as it came. Hanging out doing whatever. Perhaps a few games with him as Cappy on the tornadoes...

There's too much to remember, next B-day!



So in Parting, Todd truly had a great positive impact on my life and I will always cherish all the great times we had...He brought me in contact with an incredibly diverse group of friends he had , which gave me deeper insights into the kind of person he was..... A truly rare and unique guy that everyone liked...I will always remember what he did for Seth during the "Skinhead incident" , but thats how he was selfless and giving...

Love

Tony, Mona and Alex



( I got all rambly and disjointed sorry)

Happy birthday, Todd. My favorite memories of you are EVERY time we danced together! Whether it be to a Gordon Lightfoot ditty or a Spandau Ballet megahit, each twirl, dip, and cheek-to-cheek moment was classic, soulful, and will remain in my heart forever. I love you.

Hey Todd

I guess today the 18th is a morbid anniversary (perhaps it's actually the 19th....). Anyway this time brings back memories of you, all good..

Peace

Tony

Another Christmas Todd....How're we doing down here???

T,M, n A

Merry Christmas

Happy B-day bro....Jim's throwing one of his 'classic' shin-digs next saturday although it's been a few years ! Try an look in on us as a group, me n Mona will bring the newest addition to the 'Boys Gen II', Alexander Dylan. I don't know if any Gen II'ers have even met each other and certainly the Gen I's lack the cohesion of old, your death has failed to break our friendship so I am sure that mere time/distance cannot break the remaining ones. And so I look forward to seeing people next week, alot of whom I haven't since your sendoff, and finding out how they are doing.

Tony

Happy Birthday

Merry Christmas Todd, your in our thoughts always..New Year's though, will make for a particularly poignant moment. I think I'll decline Dave R's 'best and worst' tradition.

And as hokey as this may be Todd,a quote from Clarence in 'It's a wonderful life'-----

"One man's life touches so many others, when he's not there it leaves an awfully big hole. "

Love

Merry Christmas

There isn’t a day when I don’t think about Todd. I was there to celebrate Todd’s birthday in May and I had a scotch on his behalf. The pain is starting to heal, ever so slowly. I almost don’t want to let go of that pain, in fear I might forget. However, life must go on living. If I learned anything, it is don’t take anything for granted. Be kind to others. I’m certainly not the same person as I was 10 years ago when I met Todd. I’ve changed over the years, for the better. Todd did play a part in that. He was always there to lend an ear and a smile. Todd will be in my heart and in my thoughts for always. So many memories I will cherish for the rest of my days. I’ve heard people say that a person is their most creative in their darkest hour; Which holds many answers to many questions. I don’t write poetry as much as I used to anymore. I guess it’s because I’m happy and I feel fulfilled. I was glad to have known Todd. He always made you feel special. I hope you found your place of tranquility, Todd.



Love,

Anna

Well here is something I wrote back in May, as best I can recollect it now (I guess I didnt post it in here like i thought ), with a few additions.....



Todd's passing had cast a fog over life, hurling things into myriad shades of grey.I remember thinking how the whole event had clouded life from my eyes, and I soldiered through the days as if with a tightly focused flashlight cutting through the fog, allowing me to concentrate on my path.



Breakdowns and grief were all too common if I let myself stop and look around. Sometimes something else would do that for me, a group of teenagers milling about, a beautiful red head, a song. Alot of things actually , and that gave me incredible insight as to what a profound effect Todd had on my life.



But as that March date recedes into the past, so too does the fog lift.Though it still lingers in the corner of my eye (I remember a Pink Floyd ref. but now it seems silly). I wish the fog would always linger a bit, as it provides me a frame of reference on how wonderful and fleeting this precious existence is, no matter what the impetus for death . That one sad remnant I have then, I find is a memorial to the wonders and joys of life. I dont think Todd intended his death as a lesson on life, but thats what I have found in it. Perhaps I cling to that as a source of comfort ? But time has healed alot of the wound and I have an enourmous # of memories to reflect on.That's a debt I couldn't have repayed if we'd both lived to 235.



So life has moved on ,as it always does, but we all carry Todd in our hearts. And that's a place no one could ever remove him from. All that Todd was and did for us is Ours for the keeping. That, then, is but a small consolation in this whole affair.

Again peace my friend

Tony Skvarenina



(um, happy belated B-day, btw!!!)

Many thoughts go out your way tonight. Happy Birthday!! The guys are celebrating with a bottle of Jamisons' on your be-half. We all miss you! We will all always love you! Love, Sarah

When Todd and I rode the CTA back in high school, there was a publication called the Street Fare Journal that had poems, quotes, tidbits, etc. it was posted all over the bus in the adverting slots above the seats. There was one poem that I can't remember the name of, that Todd and I both agreed was a great poem. It read " We won't be chasing fire flies in the tall grass tonight, Let us put that whiskey on the shelf and talk calmly of money." The significance of this poem now is greater then I could ever imagine. Happy Birthday Todd, may you always be at peace.



Love,

Jim

Todd and I went to high school together and I was so saddened to read of his passing away. A few years after graduation we bumped into one another and it was as if no time had passed at all and we were still sitting next to one another in English class. That's how Todd was, he always made you feel at ease. Todd was a unique person who will be greatly missed.

I went to high school with Todd. Although I haven't seen him since, he made quite an impression. He was a compassionate, introspective and sincere person...brilliant in both his studies and the way he treated everyone with such kindness. I am truly saddened by his loss and wish his family and friends peace during this time.

I just wanted to send my condolences to the Fyfe family. I worked with Marty for many years and am saddened by her loss along with the rest of those affected. Be strong and with time to grieve this too shall pass.

Todd was a wonderful guy I was glad to know. His heart was always in the right place. The world's riches are diminished with the passing of Todd. I wish I had known him better, and I will miss him.

Todd and I were on opposite ends of the spectrum....

Todd read novels, I read newspaper articles (if I am lucky).



Todd took the time to enjoy and pay attention to everything that went on in his life, I (perhaps unfortunately) always went full steam ahead working as many hours as possible, and squeezing as much into a day as possible.



Todd believed in "quality" of living, I believed in "quantity" of living.



Todd was a deep, philisophical thinker, I tend to just glance the surface of things.



Despite the differences, I admired Todd. He was a truly interesting person. It had been said once, if Todd were alive during the 60's, he would have been revered as a god.



I and my wife Kim will miss him much.

In the years I have known Todd, I can truely say He touched my life like no one else every will. He will be in my heart and mind for always! I will miss you!

I've known Todd for the past 6 years, through my husband. Tony has always considered Todd like a brother, and this week, I also feel as if a member of my family is gone. One of my earliest memories was Todd singing every stanza to "Tangled up in Blue," and from that moment on I knew this was a special person. I will miss Todd for all that he gave to his friends: his wit, his humor, his philosophy on life. Thank you Todd, for being such a great friend to Tony and me. We love you very much.

TO SCOTT:



SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR BROTHER, MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

TAKE CARE JENNY GASKIN, RCS

Sigh. I can barely begin. Todd is the one person I have come across in my time that truly defines unique.He has had a tremendous impact on my life and I owe uncountable thanks to him, perhaps even my life. Warm, engaging, truly funny, very intelligent, 'deep', gifted, humble,and intense-just to start !! Todd always thought of others before himself, a True Friend.He was also a pragmatic idealist--if that makes any sense... To say I will miss him is an understatement,as life for me just lost one of its primary colors and I dont think I will see things the same light again.I know I will never hear a Doors/Dylan song w/o thinking of him (and that dam Ratt song too). He was my best friend from day one (period 2 algebra,freshman year) and he was there, for me, for the next 21 years through my lifes darkest and brightest moments and I will cherish his memory and spirit in my heart and soul forever. Todd, I love you man. Peace my good friend, may you find peace.

Tony

Todd was my friend. I will always treasure the memories.

Todd was my cousin,whom I admired very much. and one of the kindest persons I know, I will miss him, as will the rest of us here...Danny

Todd was full of ideas and opinions on everything in life. I've always admired Todd's dedication to writing, whether it be short stories or poems. He was a great friend and an inspiration to me. Todd has touched my life in so many ways. I will miss him terribly.

I've always admired Todd for seeing the good in people first. The many different friends he has will attest to that. He is a major contributor to who I am today. His sprit will always stay with me.

I will miss my friend.

Todd was one of the most uniquely intelligent, compassionate, friendly, funny, and engaging people I have ever known. He was also a very good friend to me and I will never forget him.

I was so upset to hear of Todd's death. I wish to express my most sincere sympathy and condolence. Todd was such a well-liked person that it is so hard to believe that he will no longer be with us.