Stories

Visit the new Do You Remember When? section.

Anonymous

A year ago today we lost our dear friend Todd. I'm proud to say that Todd was more than a friend he was like a brother to me. I wanted to share a story with everyone, especially those who didn't know Todd as well as I did.

As some of you know Todd was actively involved with the Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber cancer institute, trying to make an effort so that kids other than himself wouldn't have to go through the same illness that he was going through at that time. It was the summer afternoon of the annual WEEI radio marathon to benefit the Jimmy Fund and Todd was speaking on behalf of the kids at Dana Farber. I remember listening to it in the car with one of my other friends and all Todd could talk about was helping the other kids around him that were ill, rather than himself. He was so mature about how he wanted to be there for the younger kids who weren't exactly sure about the truth of what the illness was all about. Todd went on talking on I was just in awe about how unselfish this kid was and what his positive attitude was really all about. Todd was always one of my best friends but since that day I really understood what made this kid so special, how even people who didn't know him as well as I did could benefit from just being around him. Todd's smile and kindness brought joy to everyone who even sat and spent as little as 2 minutes with him.

Almost a year later, the annual Jimmy Fund Radio marathon was coming up. I remember one day I was in my car, ready to go on lunch break from work and I was listening to WEEI. Glen Ordway, a member of the Boston sports media and talk show host was on the air promoting the upcoming fundraiser and he began talking about how uplifting the kids' spirits were over at the Dana Farber Cancer institute. Just then randomly he remembered Todd in particular. He told the story of how Todd was on the air with him last year and just how amazing he was. He spoke a few words about last year's fundraiser and praised Todd for being so thoughtful and caring through his time with the disease. Just then he sounded like he was about to burst into tears when he mentioned that Todd was no longer with us. He went on for a short minute about how special he and everyone else from that day thought Todd was, and how honored they were to have spent time with him. Just hearing someone like this guy talk so highly about a kid he knew for that short of time, just reminded me how truly uplifting Todd's presence was to everyone. I'm assuming it was fate that I happened to turn the car on right when he starting talking about this but after that I lost it.

Todd passed away a year ago on November 19th 2002. Not a day goes by when I don't think about how his positive attitude and high spirit have influenced me. I'll never forget him as long as I live. Words can't explain how truly special Todd Schwartz really was and I will forever be honored to call him my friend.

Anonymous

It has taken me so long to write to the story section only because i have wanted it to be perfect because Todd was perfect. He was the best friend everyone has always wanted. He always made you feel so important at all times even if it was just with a simple hello. There are so many stories about Todd that I can think of because we was such an exceptional person. If you ever needed to laugh Todd was always there to put the biggest smile on your face. He was always up to something clever. He was a person, a great friend with so many amazing talents. I still remember biology class freshman year with Plunkett. I sat in between Todd and Ryan and between the two of them, I have never laughed so hard. Todd made me feel so welcome being the "new student" to the grade. One of my favorite memories was on a short wednesday. Todd wanted to shave his head before the end of the school year because he was going to camp that summer. I asked if I could help and he actually said yes. I went to his house after school and actually put an electric razor to his head. After trying to put some kind of symbol in his hair that totally failed, i finally shaved the whole thing and man did it look horrible when i was done. It was so uneven and looked like a 5 year old cut his hair piece by piece, but being the awesome guy he is, he assured me it looked fine. The next day you could tell he completely fixed it after i left, but he still convinced me i did a great job! I have missed Todd so much this past year and i think about him constantly. I know however that he will always be with me and keeping me strong. I love you Todd forever.

Patrick Brassil

 The day I met Superman

Norman Greenfied 
on behalf of the all the Greenfields. 

 "Todd was a great friend he even taught me how to make my bed and how to be a good friend to my fellow campers . He would always try to brighten up someone's day even if he didn't know him or her. Todd was a great friend and he would want you to feel better becase he had a kind loving heart. 

Todd will always be with you in your mind and sole you just have to keep him there.

We all miss him and feel it to.

Sincerely,
With all my heart.

Anonymous 

One time,it was like summer 2000 i think and todd was my table consuler and we were at dinner and it was the day we had went to the mall/movies for a trip day and he told us to tell about our day so we all went around the table and when we got to him he told us how he got a number from this girl working at a store by telling her Gary Heller was her son and she also gave him a discount :)

by ashley berman

I remember when todd sat at my table and i was young and i didnt know anybody because everything there was alot older than me but todd was the one person that talked to made and made sure i didnt just sit there silent through the whole meal and he proably didnt know it at the time but it meant alot to me..

Anonymous

One night my friends and I were at the Schwartz's house and Todd was hanging out on the couch. We were sitting there with him talking about differents things when his cell phone began to ring.  What he said after made me laugh so hard, while his phone was ringing he closed his eyes and said "Please be hot, please be hot," he then looked at the phone and a huge grin appeared across his face, "oh yeah" he said.  We laughed because we knew whichever girl it was Todd was glad to get a phone call from her.

Anonymous

I will never forget Snoop, he was the most amazing kid. I am going to miss him so much. He could make my day. And he would tell the best stories.  I am proud when people ask who was most like a brother to you and I can say Todd. I know that Todd made such a difference in my life, he taught me to be a better person who is optimistic, and friendly, and to always have an awesome sense of humor!! I love him and i miss him....RIP

Anonymous

 Thank you Todd, for offering me your chair that day in fifth grade; for your stories and jokes in band; for being my escort in the fashion show and making sure I had fun instead of being nervous.  I know we never became good friends, but really, thank you for being a great person.  You made a lot of people happy.

hilary

 I will never forget Todd. Whenever I think of camp and the family I will always have from there, he will always be in my heart. I always think of one of the shows the counselors put on for the campers and him and Jeff lip synched to a love song, singing to eachother...and whenever I hear that song Todd's face will be there, belting out the words. No sound could replace his voice, and no words could explain the way he effected so many people's lives with his kind heart. He is irreplaceable.

Anonymous

 A couple weeks after camp about two years ago, Todd and two of my other friends came over for a couple hours.  We had gotten some food to eat and were just talking when all of the sudden Todd went into my living room and sat down at the piano.  He started playing songs incredibly well just from his memory.  I hadn't even known that he knew how to play.  He said that he had never taken lessons but just always taught himself what he wanted to play.  I was so impressed.  He was such an amazing, irreplaceable person and we will always love and miss him.

Jessica Fine
I remember when his sister Laura was my counselor my 1st three years at Camp Tel Noar. He always came to visit her and us (her campers). I remember his smile on his face. Now this year I was a JC at Camp Tel Noar and he came to visit like three times. One day they announced he was very sick and Laura and Amy had to leave camp to go visit him. Then the camp made a sign saying "Get Well Todd." and everyone had to sign it and it was sent to him with a video of campers and staff sending messages to him. I still remember him saying hi to me when he visited those couple nights this summer in August and before then. He was a great counselor, caring and loving. Todd will always be in my mind and in my heart and will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

 Whenever we were being stupid and quarreling in the bunk, Todd was usually the one to quiet everyone down and talk sense to us.  He knew it was always just a waste of our time.  We always joked that he was the leader of the bunk.  Whether we said it or not, I think we all knew it was true.  When Todd spoke we all listened.

Next Page >