Dear Avery, Lilah, and London,
I met your dad at Syracuse University 1984. We lived on the same floor 3C Flint Hall. He was skinny and had a very bad mustache when I first met him! Over the 4 years at SU, Tim became one of my best friends. He even arranged for the first date I had with my now husband!! We shared lots of laughs - he made me laugh all the time! And he was also there for me during tough times when I couldn't afford to go anywhere for spring brewak (including going home to Chicago), Tim came and hung out with me. We also lived in a house together on Cape Cod during 1986 summer. We als0 worked as prep cooks at a pizza parlor in Dennisport. We had an awful boss, "Rita", who we always made fun of!
If there is one lesson I have learned it is you don't take friendships for granted. Tim and I lost touch while I was raising my family in NJ and he was conquering finance in NYC. But we reconnected a few years ago. When we talked on the phone, it was like we never lost touch. That's a sign of true friends. We kept trying to get together but it never worked out. My biggest regret is not making it happen. I loved your dad. I don't even know if he knew how much he meant to me.
Your dad's greatest feature was his smile. And I can see from all of your pictures that you (Avery) too, have that same amazing, joyful, smile. I am thankful that you will cary Tim's light forward with it.
Much Love,
Tina Avallone
