Dear Lucy Project #2
Dear Lucy Project #1
The “farting song”
[posted by Suzanne Cortese]
The “farting song” at Stanford Rec. I wasn’t there but Luke, Spencer and Devin entered the talent show, showing off their farting skills with their armpits, stomach and legs, and I believe they won!
Backstage with Luke
[posted by Joey Thordarson]
I remember I was on the crew for Sweet Charity when Luke was portraying Vittorio. He was always so much fun to hang out with backstage. I remember a particularly goofy incident where he was pretending to speak on one of the prop phones. He actually said “Shush, I gotta take this.” And he proceeded to act out a full on conversation. Then he handed the phone to me saying “They need to talk to you!” It’s moments like this which always made me smile in college. My first day working on the show I was nervous because I had never actually been in crew for a show before. Luke made me feel comfortable because of little moments like what I just described. He always knew how to keep others at ease through his sense of humor.
Dear Luke – Letter 1
[posted by Jack]
Dear Luke,
It was a perfect summer night. The stars were out, the sky clear. There was a slight breeze but the the temperature was just right. It was one of those summer nights where any person would find themselves sitting outside for the evening perfectly content. Dusk had just began to fall and you could see a sliver of sunlight in the distance, painted across the golf course.
I was sitting in a rehearsal room of the big white house on top of the hill next to the theater. The lights were off and I was sitting in the dark. I don’t know why. I was in tech for Sound of Music. The other cast was onstage rehearsing and I suppose the kids in my cast were playing hide and seek outside, or sitting and watching the others perform.
All I remember was that I was sitting alone, in darkness, when you first came into my life.
And sure enough, it was the light I needed.
Juliette, your mother, rounded the corner first. I remember immediately feeling the sensation of excitement at the simple fact that Juliette was in the room. It’s a feeling I think I share with many people in this world. As you know very well, when your mother enters a room, it immediately becomes warm and full of life and a place that may feel incredibly unknown feels like home.
Spencer was not around, but you came through the doorway holding two wooden swords. If my memory holds true, you were debating something, which comes to no surprise. Your mother cut you off, seeing me sitting alone and immediately introduced us.
“Jack! Have you met my son Luke?” She said.
“… No… Hi!” I said hesitantly.
“Hi, I’m Luke!” you said.
Your mother had to run backstage, her scene was coming up. But after overseeing the initial meeting, she left swiftly with a smile.
A slight pause. We’re both sitting. In a dark room.
“Want to play?” you said, handing me one of your wooden swords.
I paused. Looking at the wooden sword and then at you. Your were slightly taller. Your muscles certainly bigger, and it was clear you were more experienced in athleticism than I was. (And let it be known that none of those facts ever changed as we grew up.) I was going to fail, I knew it. It probably wouldn’t be any fun for you. Still, what was I doing? I was just sitting, in a dark room, waiting for the night to be over. I wasn’t sad about that. I wasn’t happy. It was just another night.
I took a breath.
“I don’t know how.” I responded.
“I’ll show you.” You said.
You were determined. Not only to play with toy swords, but to make me play along. There was no way “no” was going to be an answer. (That too, never changed as we grew up.)
“Ok.” I said.
You jumped up and walked to the door, leading outside.
“Follow me.” You said.
We went to the front yard of Richter.
“Rightie or leftie?”
“What?”
“Are you right handed, or left handed?”
“Right.”
“Good. Here, take the sword in your right hand.”
“Ok…”
“Go.”
“Hey!”
You hit me. You hit me in the leg with the sword. It wasn’t hard. It didn’t hurt at all actually. I started to laugh and I hit you back. And then without any instruction or lessons, we began to swing the swords at each other left and right. Neither one trying to one up or hurt the other. Both of us were just having fun. And it was there, on the front lawn of Richter, surrounded by fire flies and the echoes of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s “Edelweiss”, we played for the very first time, and our friendship began.
Your buddy,
Jack
August 27th 2017, Sunday
[posted by Luke’s Dad]
On Sunday afternoon, August 27th, Luke was at a coffee shop in Silverdale, WA. He was there at that coffee shop both Saturday and Sunday afternoon. He was hard at work on law school stuff. He said he wanted to get everything done that weekend so he could devote all his time during the week to Allison and to everyone who were coming up for the wedding.
I was at the Verhofstadt’s house with Lucy and Alison on Sunday. Lucy and I had just gotten back from getting ice cream and she was down for a nap. During the afternoon Allison went out to visit Luke at the coffee shop and give him some loving support. She knew he hated being away from everyone, but it was important to him get this work done and not have anything else to do during “wedding week”. Luke and I were talking back and forth via text while he was at the coffee shop. In addition to his law school work, he was also trying to finish an article for Being Libertarian and I was sending him edits. Weeks later, I looked over his law school notebooks. He took very copious and detailed notes. I saw in that weekend alone he did a tremendous amount of law school work at the coffee shop. He had the work ethic of an ox, just like his brother Spencer.
At around 6pm, he met us all for dinner at the house that we had rented in Bremerton. His aunt Christine (Aunt Dean), his grandmother (G-ma J), and Al (Al My Pal) had just arrived from NJ. Luke, Allison, Lucy, Aunt Dean, G-ma J, Al My Pal, and myself had dinner on the deck overlooking the lake. I took a picture from the deck that night of the sunset on the lake and posted it on Facebook.
Luke was so happy. I remember he was flying Lucy around the house. He would put her on her stomach on one of his shoulders, and he would hold her arms out in front of her while he ran around the house. Of course, she laughed like crazy, and the very second he would stop doing it, she would yell, “More!”. He sat there at the table after dinner and eagerly told us stories about law school, and all the crazy SJW’s. He told us about the friends he had already made, and the professors he had made an impression on, and who had made an impression on him.
Couldn’t Wait To Get To Catholic University
[posted by Jackie DiMarzo]
At the end of 2012, Luke attended my daughter’s sweet 16. He and another cast member were able to leave their rehearsal for “Avenue Q” in Rhinebeck a bit early and come down to the party at Locust Grove mid-way through. I think his presence literally amped the party up several notches, and I know Julia appreciated having him there for the candle ceremony. At the end of the night he came up to me and my husband to say good-bye, so sweaty from dancing that he said he did not want to hug us, but of course he did anyway. We talked about his plans for next year. He was so excited to go to Catholic University. He couldn’t wait. He said it was such a great school, and that we should definitely think about it for Julia. In the middle of our conversation another good song came on, and one of the girls dragged him off. “Guess I’m not leaving yet,” he said.
Always Respectful
[posted by Jackie DiMarzo]
There were a few years at Lourdes where I spent a bit of my time doing publicity for the high school musicals. We did road signs, posters, t-shirts and press releases. Luke made it so easy. He was so photogenic and his charisma leaped off the page. I was able to get a big photo on the front page of the Life section of the Poughkeepsie Journal of Luke in rehearsal for “The Music Man” in 2012. A few weeks later at a school event, he stopped me at and thanked me so much for all the work I did publicizing the show. I was really impressed with his heartfelt sincerity, and his words meant a lot to me.
Thumbs Up!
[posted by Luke’s dad]
Both my boys have always been partial to using the “thumbs up” expression, especially in photos. If you knew Luke, then you were very used to seeing him do it. Luke used it all the time since he was very little. He even gave the thumbs up on his Great Adventure season pass photos, and 1st Communion photos! And, of course, there was those beautiful crooked thumbs :).
In this post are just a small sample of some of the pictures that we have of him giving the thumbs up. If you have any others, we would love to see them.
Endless Compassion
[posted by Christine Garrison]
2.5 yrs ago Luke’s Uncle, ‘Al My Pal’, was diagnosed with cancer. Luke of course was in Seattle with his beautiful new daughter, Lucy, and Allison. On the day of the surgery as I was sitting in the waiting room while the 4 hour surgery was going on Luke text me: “I’m so sorry I’m not there with you, Dean. I love you so much. I love both of you so much. You know If I were home I’d be right there with you holding your hand. I’m there with you in spirit holding your hand.”
Today as I sit in the waiting room every morning for Al’s recurrent radiation treatment I think of these words and know that Luke is with me everyday holding my hand.
“The Student Lottery”
[posted by Bobby Gallagher]
One of my first memories of Luke happened during the first semester of my sophomore year at CUA in Sweet Charity. I had only transferred from Vocal Performance to Musical Theater one semester prior. And looking back, besides some faculty, not many of my peers and new classmates saw me as anything but the awkward kid who tried too hard. I remember one night after a rehearsal for Sweet Charity, somehow I ended up at the trailers on campus where the seniors lived, and Luke was there also. It made sense for Luke to be there because he always knew how to make the right connections and to be the light of any friend circle he chose. But for me? For me it made no sense. I was like a baby deer in headlights. On top of that I was nervous as all get out. I tried to make some jokes that were a mediocre 6/10 and just awkwardly tap dance out of the room. But that’s not what happened. That night Luke said something that will always stay in my heart. It’s frankly insane how one short conversation can change your life. So, we were talking about something for a few minutes and then he said,
“You know, Bobby, even though you’re kind of weird, you’re pretty great. If people here took a little time to see past the awkward exterior they would see that you’re pretty awesome!”
And that stuck with me.
He was one of the first classmates to see me as more than an awkward kid. And from then on, he introduced me to all the seniors and juniors and they became my friends, and over the next several weeks I had felt like I had a whole new family of my classmates. He took a minute to see who I was and that changed me. And over the course of the year I was included in so many things that I know never would have happened before, and it was amazing.
So, each year all the students are entered in a student lottery to get numbers to select housing. I was frankly struggling to find a group of people who wanted me to be a part of their rooming plan and didn’t know what I would do. I got my lottery number and it was close to 200, which means I wouldn’t have any leverage in getting a good housing assignment to include people with. And I was really upset about that and started to think “What did I do wrong to not have anyone who likes me enough to think of me as someone who is a real friend? Why can’t I find a group of people who wanted to live with me?”
But one day, Luke and his other two roommates James, and Connor, decided to talk to me about housing. They asked me to be a part of their group and live with them. That blew me away. Throughout the year I became friends with Luke and his group, but I never thought I would be remotely thought about for anything like this. To me Luke was the coolest kid in school and practically had the entire Music School wrapped around his finger (both statements are absolutely true) and it would be crazy if I was actually, truly, friends with someone that cool and on his game. But he thought otherwise. He asked me to live with him and the guys. I couldn’t have been happier. And then we decided to research the apartments off campus and ended up having one of the most amazing apartments I’ve ever lived in for two years. Full of memories, growth, and love. I will always remember the day he asked me to be a part of his group. Because no matter what number anyone else got, I won the student lottery!
Pokemon Tournament
[posted by Sharon]
My daughter had been invited to one of Luke’s parties when they were young and it was when the Pokemon card craze was happening. There was a Pokemon tournament at his party and Liz was the only girl invited. When I came to pick her up when the party was done I found out that Liz had beat all the boys that had participated and how proud Juliette and Patrick was that she beat all of them at his party. None of the boys were sore losers and I admired Luke for that.
Push
[posted by Amanda]
I had done just a few shows, and had met Allison in a previous show. I got my first lead role in a show and she was music director so I got to work with her first hand. Once we got about a month into rehearsals, this guy was coming and walking around with Lucy and was just the most perfect parent. He genuinely loved being there for us, his daughter and his love. Watching him and Ally parent together and getting to know him as he pushed me and made me feel so at ease was beyond amazing. I cannot express enough how his beautiful light and his love made me want to be better. Do better. We need more people like him. Do what you love and treat all with open arms, respect and enjoy all that we get. I will forever be changed by this man who I knew for such a short time. Thankfully, he will live on in his beautiful daughter and his loving fiancé. Gone but never ever forgotten. ❤️
Lucky Pennies
[posted by Martine]
This is a very simple story, but it’s one I think about often. Every time I see a penny heads up – a lucky penny – I think of Luke. Senior year, I walked past him as he was cleaning out his locker and he was taking out a giant bag of pennies (I can’t even remember why he had them and I’m not sure he could either) and I got excited and asked if I could take one. He laughed at me but handed me one and I walked a few feet away before placing it down heads up. I told him to walk over, and he did, and pick up the penny. I then said “now you have good luck!” He laughed at me again and thought this was the most ridiculous thing, but then handed me the huge bag of pennies saying “here you go, go spread some more luck.” And I actually did place pennies heads up all over the school thanks to him. Amazingly enough, a few days after his passing, I opened a box and found the bag of pennies which I hadn’t seen since I graduated. I now keep them with me, since I’m pretty sure he wants me to keep spreading luck.
Thoughtful Surprises
[posted by Emily Risley]
Luke was the most thoughtful person I know. He would always think of others in ways that would never occur to me. On days when I would need it most, almost as if he knew, he would text me to hang out or send a video of an amazing singer he wanted me to hear or picture memory. One of the most memorable times was during his last semester at CUA. I was working in Campus Ministry, and Luke would come by my office quite often to say hi. We were both super busy, and he would sometimes stop by when I was out. One of these times, I came back to the most “Luke” thing ever: a message made out of sticky notes on my computer. I took a picture and hold it in my heart always. I am so amazed that God gave me such an incredible friend. I feel his presence every day, and am reminded of him every time I see a sticky note.
9 Years of Friendship
[posted by Gina]
Luke was my first friend in high school and became one of my closest and longest lasting friendships. He listened to me complain about boys, even while he rolled his eyes, and knew how to make me laugh when I cried. When I felt alone he included me and made me feel accepted all the time. We talked about everything imaginable and that’s what I miss the most! He always told me the truth and had no problem telling me when I was wrong! One day in particular I remember him telling me to come pick him up from rehearsal and wouldn’t tell me where we were going. I was thinking oh great I’m not prepared for an adventure right now! He had me drive to Wendy’s, bought us each a frosty, and just sat and talked to me for hours. He knew something was wrong and knew I needed a friend at the time and he was fully prepared to listen, give me advice, make me laugh when we were talking too serious, and just be the person I needed the most.
The Mayor of St Joseph’s
[posted by Luke’s dad]
I have been reading the other wonderful stories written by some of Luke’s friends. I cannot put into words how thankful I am. Those stories have reminded me about something I thought I had forgotten. Many of the stories relate how in high school Luke would just walk up to someone he has never met before and make a friend. Well, you should all know, that was not something new that Luke learned. He had been doing that since he was very young. Luke was the only new student in his 1st grade class at St Joseph School in Millbrook NY. Every other student came directly from the kindergarten (Luke had gone to a different kindergarten). So they all new each other already. They all knew the school, the teachers, the principal, etc. There was only one spot left for 1st grade that year, and we got it. In October, when Julie and I went to school for parent/teacher meetings, we met the principal of the school at the time. Her name was Mrs. Cardella. When we introduced ourselves, she said, “Oh, you are the Mayor’s parents.” We were, of course, appropriately confused. So she explained to us, “We have all dubbed Luke ‘The Mayor of St Joseph’s’. He greets everyone he sees in the hallways. He knows the name of every teacher and administrator in the school already, and just walks around all day shaking hands, and saying ‘Good morning’, and ‘Have a nice day’ to everyone he sees.”
Pre-school Friends
[posted by Pattie Camillone]
We met Luke, Spencer, Juliette and Patrick when our son Daniel was enrolled at The Sunshine School in Pawling, NY – 1999. Luke and Daniel were age 3 at the time. Juliette and myself became friends immediately. Being the moms of two boys & growing up in the restaurant business we immediately had a connection. In turn, our boys became friends. We had lots of playdates and social gatherings. Our boys always got along so well. They would spend hours playing with Thomas the Tank trains at our house or swimming in the pool at Luke’s. Luke and Daniel had similar personalities – two really sweet boys. Lots of patience and kindness between the two of them, perfect brothers to two younger siblings Spencer & Gregory. I love the memories of those early years, I look back on them and cherish those times.
I know I have some photos from those days, when I come across them I will certainly post them here.
Running Through The Opera House
[posted by Tracy Rowe]
It’s a silly thing really. I met Luke and Spencer when they were kids. Luke was probably 8 or 10, I don’t really remember. It was at the Thomaston Opera House, my then home away from home. Juliette often brought the boys to rehearsals, and I used to think they were so adorable and so well behaved. I could tell Luke had a mischievous streak, though. This is going to sound a bit icky, but I have contact dermatitis on my hands from years of painting and using chemicals, and I would tease Luke by flashing him the rash on my pinky. He would pretend to be disgusted and let out a loud EWW and run away. He never ran far, he was daring me to chase him, so I would. We would run up and down the back stairs, through the make up and costume room and back out to the stairs, all the while me holding out my hand and he and Spencer yelling ewwwww! After a while, Luke would seek me out, just waiting for the game to begin again. I was always more than willing to oblige.
A few years went by, the boys grew up and I didn’t see them very often. Juliette would always fill me in on them, and always let me know that Luke said hi, and that he sometimes asked about me. That really touched me. I didn’t expect a boy who was now a teenager to remember the silly lady who chased him around with her icky finger. During rehearsals for a show (I think it was Jekyl & Hyde) Juliette told me Luke was coming to rehearsal and wanted to say hi. She said he was excited to see me again (I’ll admit, I was skeptical-why would he be excited to see me of all people?). We were awkward around each other for a few minutes, then I showed him my icky finger and he burst out laughing. We hugged and laughed and chatted for a few minutes before he had to go. I didn’t see him much after that, but I followed Juliette on Facebook and was always up to date on what was going on in his life. I was thrilled to see the videos of him singing (such a beautiful voice), pix of his college graduation, of Allison and his beautiful daughter Lucy. Our lives only touched briefly, but Luke always had a special place in my heart and my memory.