Stories of Luke Blog

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Light and Love

[posted by Caitlin]

I couldn’t tell you when I officially “met” Luke. It just seemed like I’d known him all my life, although in reality it was probably only about 5 or 6 years.  But that’s how he treated people, as if they were lifelong friends right from the get-go. He was warm, welcoming, kind, handsome, sweet, always looking for the humor.  Every time I saw him, he would be so happy to see me, and give me the biggest hug, as if we were dear old souls that hadn’t seen each other in TOO long!  And I would feel so so at home with him, like I belonged there. It meant a lot to me, as I didn’t have many genuine friends, especially in the theater environment. He would pull me in as if sharing a secret, eyebrows a-wiggling, but then say the silliest things that would make me hysterically laugh.  Just like his mom, he was such a light, loving presence wherever he went, that I witnessed people naturally gravitate to him every time he walked into the room. He was always surrounded by people of all ages, smiling and laughing.  You couldn’t help but be pulled in too, and want to be, or go, wherever he was. He was so passionate and had such a vision for a better world and country for his daughter.  I constantly wonder about the changes and effect he would have had, because he would have been a force of nature.  I miss his warmth, his light, but most of all I miss the way he made me feel – welcomed, loved, and part of his life. It was a such a powerful, meaningful thing to me, and, in effect, I inevitably felt like I lost a brother.  That kind of impact left a huge imprint on me that I will never ever forget.

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A Heart Full of Love

[posted by Anonymous]

I don’t have a specific story to share, but I hope you know that your Dad had so much love in his heart, and I know he passed that on to you Lucy. He was always ready to help when someone asked, or comfort when someone needed it. Sending you love to you always.

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Ripples Through Life

[posted by Kevin McCarthy]

I first met Luke when Musicals at Richter was rehearsing Scrooge. It was the first indoor production for MAR and Luke had come to take the part of young Scrooge. I was quite amazed at how easily he learned the part and his fabulous voice. After the rehearsal we spoke briefly in the dressing room. I wasn’t sure how he’d react to a minor principle, so I just mentioned that it was obvious he wasn’t a neophyte. He laughed, and I added that it was a privilege to perform in the show with these talented people. Luke sang his duet with Caitlin which the house loved.

A few years later I was at a celebration of Frank Jesenky’s life.  Luke saw me and greeted me with that smile and said, “It’s great to see you my friend.”  I didn’t think he’d remember me from Adam. We kept in touch on Facebook and then I read about his tragic passing.

People speak about the ripples each life produces. Luke truly proved that we can touch many with simple and thoughtful gestures or words.

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Wind Chimes

[posted by Bonnie Byrnes]

This took me a while to post…. but in the beginning of January 2020 my grandfather had passed away. I was extremely close with him growing up and he became very sick around early 2015. I remember the last time I saw Luke he was singing at St joes for Easter Sunday – during all that. So I’m gonna say March/April 2015. Actually I remember a woman tripped and fell after mass and he offered his Gatorade which I thought was ridiculous because she fell- she wasn’t passing out or dehydrated – anyway I digress. I knew when we went to the burial for my grandfather he was near Luke’s grave but not in total eyesight or completely nearby – just by the school like Luke was. There were some chairs right in front of the casket for the burial so I sat next to my mother and my grandmother- only the three of us right in front. The priest gave a blessing over the casket and right as he gave the blessing I heard wind chimes and turned to my mom and smiled because she could hear them too. The wind chimes kept going over the blessing and stopped after so I wanted to know where they were coming from while I was sitting there, and naturally started looking around for the source. Diagonally (really from only where I was sitting/my point of view) I see Luke’s tombstone with the wind chimes. It still gives me chills because I know he was saying hi. My mom and I went and said hey immediately after the burial- I actually yelled at him because I was pretty much detached as a coping mechanism for my grandfather’s whole wake/funeral and that moment made me extremely emotional. As if he couldn’t let me get through the weekend without losing it – I was almost there! It is a moment that I will never forget.

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Mr. Snow

[posted by Lauren S]

This weekend I was at a production of Carousel and I found myself tearing up every time the man playing Enoch Snow started to sing. Years later I can still hear Luke’s beautiful voice in my head. Carousel was my first show at CUA as a freshman, and I remember my friends and I just being in awe at his pure talent and kindness. I can’t remember how many times we would listen to him sing and and say “wow, Luke can do anything.” He was someone we all admired and we all still do. Those were my first memories of Luke and I’ll always think of him as Mr. Snow, the insanely talented and ridiculously kind legend.

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Always Encouraging

[posted by Keith]

The first time I saw Luke was on his highlight video where he immediately overwhelmed me with his gorgeous, mature voice at such a young age. We were preparing to do a show and Juliette sent me the link. So when I met him in person, I felt like I was meeting a star. And I was. I only knew Luke for a few years, but am deeply grateful for the friendship. The most vivid memory that always comes to me was that extended time during the show when it was just he and I in the dressing room. He was endlessly generous and encouraging. We talked about sports and family and future – and of course theater. As uniquely gifted as he was, he was always insistent on deflecting any compliments and turning it around back on me. I was honored to be part of a few very special family events – but I treasure those moments in that awful dressing room. Heaven’s blessings are yours now……

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Freshman Luke

[posted by Matt Brown]

As it has been said before, Luke was somebody that you never forgot – not easily, anyway. I had the privilege to know Luke when he was a bratty trouble making Freshman (I say this only out of love) at CUA. I was Luke’s RA his Freshman year in Flather Hall.

It took me two years to be comfortable enough to share this since his death; mainly, because, there is still a bit of shock. I was scrolling through Facebook when Allison (whom I have never met – Hello!) posted lukegarrison.com. I feel compelled to tell this short story. To some, it will be meaningless. To many, including his daughter, Lucy, and Allison, I hope it provides a good laugh and insight on who the young Luke was.

It was Luke’s first day moving into Flather Hall, August 2012. I remember meeting his very gracious parents, as they helped Luke move in. From what I remember, I believe I assisted Luke with his belongings, as well. That evening, all of the RAs were to call their respective residents from their assigned floors (5th floor) for a meeting explaining the general rules of living on campus at CUA. I remember standing on top of a tv console in the first-floor “hang out” area shouting to the noisy and antsy freshmen. Luke was almost directly in front of me. I noticed him pretty quickly … mainly, because Luke wouldn’t stop talking. He interrupted. Asked silly questions. I remember him, to some extent, “putting on a show” for the rest of the residents (which, later on, would explain his love of acting, very literally, putting on a show). I remember thinking … “Fantastic. This kid will be the pain in my ass for the year.” I remember telling him to stop, listen, stop, listen, stop, listen. He kept interrupting me.

For most of that first year, Luke became more than that annoying bratty antsy Freshman. I had the privileged to see him grow up. For those that work, or have worked, in student affairs/residential life, you know the growth that takes place between Freshmen and Sophomore year. Luke’s growth was substantial. Mainly, because I got to know who Luke was. Luke, who unlike many on that floor (who I still have love for), was an old soul with more maturity than I had originally thought.

After the years, after I graduated, we didn’t talk as much; but, when I think back to being an RA in Flather Hall for the 5th floor, Luke is one of the first people I think of. That memory alone puts a smile on my face.

God Bless, Luke.

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Luke’s Influence

[posted by Dan Porri]

In the summer of 2017, I posted a request for book recommendations on Facebook. Luke sent me a private message in early August checking in on me, my young daughter, and wife…and to throw a few book recommendations my way. I often re-read this short Facebook messenger exchange, but that is not the point of this story.

Luke and I are on different ends of the political continuum, but I always felt we shared a similar openness to opposing ideas and healthy, respectful debate…viewing both as opportunities for expanding our personal lens and perspective. In that spirit, Luke passionately recommended a book written by a conservative US senator that he said had a profound influence on him as a father and young adult…he wanted to share it with me in hopes that I might be similarly impacted. I would never have sought this book out on my own due to my liberal/progressive leanings, but after Luke’s passing, I felt deeply compelled to read it in hopes of absorbing and implementing its lessons…it felt like a way to connect with Luke and continue to learn from him.

I loved the book. I gleaned many valuable insights that have broadened my worldview. What is most meaningful to me, however, is that this has shown me how Luke’s influence continues to ripple out into the world. My expanded perspective through his recommendation has impacted those in my circle, which subsequently impacts their circles, and so on. I love the idea that, in this way, Luke continues to positively influence those who know and love him, as well as those he never met.

Luke- you persist. You will always be an integral part of all of us.

I miss you, my friend.

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I’d Probably Still Be On The Subway

[posted by Nicole]

A couple years back, I visited New York to see an old friend. Me, NOT from the area (clearly) decided to get on a subway with luggage to navigate from Grand Central to Times Square and over to Long Island. Lord, how naive. Anyway, I’m sitting on the subway and look over, and there’s Spencer and Luke standing there. What a small world! We said some hello’s. The subway doors opened and I was seconds away from being trampled, suitcases and all. Luke picked up my suitcase and proceeded to carry it through the subway station. Not even a second thought. I followed him and was able to make it to the next subway line safely. This has always stuck with me and I think about it often. I didn’t know Luke well at all, but that was the type of person he was. I’m so sorry to everyone. He was a spark of kindness in a busy chaotic city. I won’t forget it.

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Everybody’s Best Friend

[posted by Mary Alice]

It will forever amaze me how Luke made every person feel special – like one of his closest friends. I remember distinctly going to see one of Luke’s shows in CT after I had graduated high school and thinking “I hope Luke has time to say hi,” given how many people he knew would be there (and given that he was literally a star in the show). He ran out to see us and lifted me like he always had through high school, giving us all huge hugs. His warmth and openness was unmatched, he made everyone feel welcome. I hope we can learn from him and pay it forward.

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Smile

[posted by Jean Michetti]

When Luke smiled all seemed ok. With the world. I have more to say, but I must start with this. Keep shining your smile down upon us Luke.

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The Day I Noticed His Singing Voice Had Gone From “kid” to “adult”

[posted by Luke’s Dad]

At Luke’s “Senior Recital” in high school, he sang several songs including Stars from Les Miz.  But the song that really stuck out in my mind that night was Music of the Night from Phantom.  I had been listening to Luke sing since he was a few years old.  We would sing together in the car all the time, but one of my earliest memories of him “performing” was when we had bought him a Fisher Price microphone and speaker for his birthday, complete with mic stand.  He performed for a bunch of people that we had over the house.  He stood there at his mic in the living room with his toy guitar slung around his shoulder, and sang every song he knew.  He was four.

Of course, I was at every one of his shows and performances throughout grammar school and high school.  And I was always impressed with his beautiful voice.  But at some point in high school his voice started to change from being a kid’s voice into a man’s voice.  I noticed it at the Senior Recital.

I remember that moment so vividly.  I remember being completely blown away listening to him sing.  I am not going to describe it.  You can listen for yourself.  I know that those of you who knew him after high school will know that this may not be as good as his voice eventually became, but this is when I think it started.  At least, this is when I first heard it happening.  Honestly, it took my breath away.  I told him exactly that after the performance.