Jeff Livingston

Jeffrey and I grew up directly across the street and were born 3 days apart. There was another neighbor, the same age, who was born one day apart from Jeff. It was a funny joke about it being a busy time on Butternut Lane --9 months before our births! Although Jeff and I traveled in different circles as we grew up, we stayed friendly and I enjoyed the occasional visit through the years when he and his family would visit his parents and I would visit mine. My mom would always bake for them and make sure to go over for a visit. My most sincere condolences to Kristin, Annika, Sonja and Mrs. Livingston. You are all in my heart.

Jeff was the best kind of a schoolmate to sit across from in the high school cafeteria. The daily doldrums of the school grind were quickly replaced with spirited conversations about music and movies. Although our paths never did cross again, I did think about him whenever a favorite deep cut from a favorite band hit my ears. I am glad to read that he had a full life full of love, and I wish his family peaceful thoughts and fond remembrances.

It's impossible to separate my childhood from memories of Jeff. There was a path worn by us through the woods between my house on Bob White Way and his on Butternut Lane.

Most of my childhood memories include Jeff in some way. We unboxed his first Atari together and stayed up three straight nights playing the same two games. We learned to play the guitar together, me not so well and him noticeably better. He read the first draft of my college essay, and in a way only Jeff could pull off, he let me know it wasn't very good. He was so right.

Jeff was clever, and he was FUNNY. He no doubt inherited this from his famously witty parents, Thelma and Jim. Whether it was a silly observation or a self-deprecating jab, it was impossible to spend an hour with those three and not laugh hard about something. Who else would even think to name their little puppy 'Secretariat'?

Our independent lives took over and I hadn't seen Jeff for a long time, but I was reminded of him often. I always assumed we'd hook up again soon ... and then suddenly that opportunity is lost. Jeff understood the meaning and importance of friendship and I'm so grateful to have had his.

I've attached the last photo I have of Jeff and I, which was our high school graduation in 1986. Handsome devils, weren't we? Peace to Mrs Livingston, Kristin, Annika, and Sonja.

Chris Reck
Hopewell Junction, NY