This section is dedicated to our dear friend who just recently passed away, Greg Chion. Coming to terms with death is probably one of the most difficult things a person can do in his or her lifetime. It tests us on how strong we can be individually and as a group to overcome such obstacles in life. It will bind us in a way that nothing ever has. It tells us that the things we take for granted, especially friendship, can easily be taken from us. In our situation with Greg, he was taken from us one piece at a time. In this section are pictures, poetry, messages, ect... It is open to all students, for they can put anything they want on this webpage. Remember, there's a piece of him in all of us, a piece of us in his immortal soul, and there's a piece of us in each other.
Pictures (Send some scanned pictures, or give the pictures to Phil Manuel to be scanned)
Click Thumbnail to enlarge
Great moments with Greg
1. Phil Manuel - I remember the Harvest Ball junior year, he stepped onto the dance floor and was swinging with Leah. I remember it really hyped me to start dancing. Afterwards, We had a really nice picture taken together, we looked like we were "The Men" :-) >>
2. Denise Lawson - My junior year, Greg and a group of us went to the prom together. We had such an awesome time. We all use to hang out in the band room during our lunch period too. Does anyone remember "Polly wants a cracker?"
3. Shea Benton - I will always remember Greg for giving me the most nicknames, every year he knew me I had a nickname and finally freshmen year he decided that instead of Gumby, Shane or Stinky Shea he was just going to call me Stinks. When I met Greg in the Sixth grade and we did a project on whales he came over after we made his mother drive to Danbury to get all our "supplies". We made this thing that didn't even look like a whale and he was in charge of the spray paint and instead of painting the whale he went around spray painting ants and laughing hysterically...We talked about that so many times.
4. Lesley Janutolo - Greg and I were always by coincidence in the same Spanish class. I remember last year, we learned the spanish word for "dummy," which was bobo. He and I would always jokingly call eachother "bobo" and "boba." And all the picture parties before dances... "Lesley your pony tail is in my tickling my nose," hanging out on the band buses, country line dancing with Rhiannon and I... thanks for all the great times and memories greg.
5. Michael Stahl - Lets see. Greg's hair would never mess up. I first met Greg in 7th grade at our lunch table "As the Lunch Table Turns". There was the 8th grade dance, and all Harvest Balls and Snowballs. I will always remember Greg because of his happy personality, and unnatural tan. I also will always remember "Polly wants a cracker?" I will miss Greg.
6. Paul Kastner - I'm not fortunate enough to be able to say I was good friends with Greg, but he is one of the most wonderful people I've had the fortune of meeting. I've never seen him say anything negative about anyone or anything. There are very few people of any age as mature as him that I've met. The thing I remember most about him was his solo in Russian Easter Overture in Wind Ensemble last year. He had just started playing the bass clarinet a few weeks before the concert, and he sounded like he had been playing it for years.
7. Ryan Ciuffo - There are too many to tell so, I'll always remember his devotion to his friends and family. His shining personality and stead fast positive attitude Are the things I'll remember most about Greg. We are all going to miss him more than words can express.
8. Kate Yackel - Probably back in March, I went to a swim meet because I heard that Greg was going to be there. It was like his first appearance since he'd been sick, and I was really excited to see him. So, a friend of mine and I went down to where the swimmers were, and said "hi." I was shocked, though, when he asked me if I'd gotten into Syracuse. That was so like Greg, to always be thinking of other people, and never of himself. I asked how he had even remembered where I had applied; gosh knows I couldn't keep everybody else straight. He told me that he wanted to go to Syracuse himself, and all year I wanted to write him and tell him to come visit me--I couldn't wait to introduce all of my friend to this amazing kid that I knew from home. My Mom sent me a News-Times article that was published back in August, and I hung over my computer, so that I could always see him when I worked. He was such an inspiration. I'll never, ever forget him.
9. Melissa Thompson - I've known Greg since we were little cause we always lived near eachother. I remember that no metter how cool, smart, or good looking that he got he always made everyone he came in contact with feel good about themself.
10. Meg Randlov - Over the 7 years I have known Greg there have been so many wonderful memories with him, lets see there's all the time's he's said hi to me even if we had lost touch for a bit. Or the very many stories we would tell and laugh with each other about. The way he warmed up behind the blocks for a race during the season, the prom our sophmore year. The courage he taught me and how he helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life. And what i will remember the most about Greg is how he never gave up, he went all the way in everything he ever did. He taught me so much about life, and friendship and gave me the courage and strength to prove everybody wrong. Thanks buddy. I love you.
11. Aly Themel - Greg is the best friend a person could ever have or want. He was always there for me with all problems (and those of you who are good friends with me knows what that's like...lol). We had such great time in Virginia Beach (like when he fell asleep with one eye open on the bus sitting up). I remember how he and Mr Dumas got into an argument over how the 1st clarinets couldn't play Armed Forces Salute after having it for a couple of days. I remember all the fun times we had in band (our bottle band on the bus, being section leaders together and fighting with tempos during sectionals). Greg always had a smile on his face and always had a positive way of looking at things, even when the times weren't the greatest. And most of all, I remember all the girls always drooling over him (like seniors when he was a freshman... LOL) Greg meant so much to so many people, and I am so fortunate to have had him as a best friend. It will be hard to go on without him, but knowing he is watching over all of us helps me remember all the good times we had together, and I know that one day, we will meet again in Heaven. I love you, Greg, always and forever.
12. Chris Lyddy - I remember when I first met Greg, he was all smiles and his face immidiatley lit mine up! He was the type of kid who lit up the hallways when he walked down them, and shared his soul with everyone around him. I remember walking through the Math hallway one day, and I looked up and Greg was walking the opposite way...He said "Hey How are ya Chris" I almost dropped to the floor. Greg Chion said hi to me. Greg was the nicest person and although it is hard to see him go, it s better now that he is not suffering...May him shine down upon us always and forever!
13. Shannon Solheim - I will always remember our little jokes in Spanish. Every note or yearbook entry always started off with "Hola, Como estas?" and I could gurantee that in Senorita Gomez's class, if I was eating my lunch, some of it would end up being his. I remember people holding him down in 8th grade at parties so I could french braid the hair he loved so much and I remember how we went to see "Stuart Little" together and joked because we're both such cat lovers.
14. Amanda Tredger - Unfortunatly I didn't have the chance to get to know Greg as much as i would like to have. however, His smiling face affected me as much as it did the entire band. I can remeber BOA last year when one of the clarinets fell, he helped me comfort my friend and offered me a ride home even though I barely even knew him. Greg was one of those increible people who managed to touch the lives of so many, in so little time. Thank-you Greg!
15. Anna Cozby - I remember having lunch with Greg junior year and how he always had a yogurt for lunch and then somehting else like an apple. We would always kid him about that. Then he would tell us about getting a new car for Christmas (he did) but then I rememeber the time when he started getting sick and he would come in day after day that week feeling just awful but there was nothing anyone could do for him. He would always have his homework out at lunch and trying to do it, we joked about how he always did his homework the day it was due and not at home. I also remeber when he came to the sweet 16 party that lesley and I had together. He brought his blow up duck shoes and we all thought that was really cool. He would walk around in them and be proud of it, knowing that he could make people smile. We would always talk about who he was going to end up with (marrying) and how many kids they were going to have (we did that with everyone in that lunch). It was funny that everyday the number would change. I will alwyas remember Greg for the kind hearted sould that he was and the way about him that made everyone so happy all the time. He always knew what to say and when to say it. We will never forget him.
16. Nicole LaChapelle - I remember when it was swimming season our freshman year, i timed him once when he was swimming breaststroke. He got the time he wanted, and proceeded to hug me when he got out of the lane...of course i was nice and dry and he was wet. Thank you Greg for letting me make your day that day, and thank you for the hug.
17. Shannon Sauer - Greg was my section leader my senior year, and i think that what stands out most in my mind is the way he would really listen to what you had to say. No matter what kind of problem you had, you could tell that he genuinely cared and wanted to help.
18. Amanda Choun - I have known Greg since 6th grade. He was such a nice person. Greg and I were in band together all through middle school. I remember Mrs Cook used to get our last names mixed up because our names are similar. Greg is up in heaven right now watching over us all. He was the ideal person whom wasn't mean to anyone and didn't know what the word "hate" even meant. Greg always was involved in something and because of his strength and courage, he has concored everything. His parent should be very proud of what he has done. Gregs Journey through life has come to an end and his life that he lead was a great one. Lets celebrate his life. God Bless you Greg you will be missed but never forgotten.
19. Amanda Molden - I can remember so clearly all of the wonderful memories with Greg. On bus rides for band we always got belly aches from laughing so much. Our bottle band with Aly and Rachel was so fun and we acted like little kids. We had so many jokes together and so many "good times"! I remember trying to play his clarinet that he played so wonderfully and only squeeking. He always said that I reminded him of Katie Bates, although I had never met the girl, coming from Greg I knew it must have meant something nice. We had a lot of fun making fun of teachers. He always would wear the same hat and his Varsity Jacket. Greg will be missed so much and will never be forgotten. He touched so many of us in so many ways.
20. Sarah Adams-Shepherd - My best Greg memory is at the Harvest Ball last year. It was the last song of the dance and I was upset because Mike (Stahl) was moving in a week. Well, I was crying and dancing with Mike. Greg asked Mike if he could step in and Mike said it was fine. I was dancing with Greg and I told him I was sorry and tried to stop crying. Well, Greg put my head down on his shoulder and told me it was ok to cry. It meant so much to me. It meant even more when someone pointed out to me that, that was Greg's last dance. So Greg if you are out there here's to our last dance.
More to come as I get more in the e-mails :-)
Message from Adam Hopkins
Anyone and everyone who has been graced with the honor of meeting John Gregory Chion will understand what I am trying to say. He is the greatest man ever to live. His kindness went unbound and he served as an inspiration for everyone he met. Always putting others two steps ahead of himself, he had a heart of gold. Over the past few days something has happened to me every time I got into a car with a radio on. The song "With Arms Wide Open" by Creed was on. So please, I want everyone to think of Greg and everything wonderful he has done for everyone whenever you hear this song. Don't ask me what its supposed to symbolize or mean, but I know I have heard it from beginning to end as soon as the radio comes on as the car is started. I would also like to share a little story.
"A hungry fox was longingly eyeing some luscious fruit in a garden which was surrounded by a tall fence. He tried to enter but could not climb over the fence. At last he discovered an opening, but the opening was too small to admit his body. 'If I fast three days,' the fox said to himself, ' I shall be able to creep through the hole.' He fasted three days, crept into the garden, and feasted to his heart's content. But alas when he wanted to leave, he realized to his great consternation, that he had become too large for the opening. Poor fox! He now had to fast for three days in order to crawl through the opening and get out of the garden. 'How foolish I've been,' said the fox. 'I am as hungry now as I was before.' So it is with us. Naked we come into the world; naked we must leave it. After all our toil we carry nothing away, except the fruits of our good deeds."
Everyone will agree with me, that Greg's "fruits of good deeds" were plentiful and luscious. Never forget this special man, we can all make this world a little bit better if we carry out the remembrance and ideals of John Gregory Chion.
A Few Exerpts from Anna Cozby
"Angels aren't afraid, they are just quiet."
"Angels tickle and massage our souls with love that we need to carry on and give one another."
"Angels hear the call when you take the courage to follow your bliss."
"Angels don't have wings, maybe angels have small little wings. except when they have big huge wings. actually they have wings and they don't."
"Angels will protect us from ourselves as we want and request."
SEND YOUR GREG MOMENTS AND PICTURES TO ME!
