Remembering Pete: Six Time Shavee and Honorary Knight of the Bald Table
Pete in 2006, painting holiday decorations at his deli, Commack Breakfast and Lunch Too. A six-time St. Baldrick’s shavee, Peter passed away on July 31, 2013, at the age of 29.
More than the Hungry Man special — three eggs, bacon, ham and home fries on a hero — customers of “Commack Breakfast and Lunch Too” loved its owner. Pete Fedden was the kind of restaurateur who knew his customers by name and what they ordered by heart.
But he almost ended up as a lawyer.
Honoring a Son and Helping Cure Childhood Cancer
Three-time shavee Michael Rue sits in the barber’s chair for St. Baldrick’s. Michael passed away in 2012, but his family carries on his memory by donating to Michael’s favorite childhood cancer foundation.
“A single act does make a difference…it creates a ripple effect that can be felt many miles and people away.” – Lee J. Colan
When Michael Rue first shaved his head in 2009 to support a friend’s daughter battling leukemia, he had no idea of the ripple effect it would create for his family and friends. Michael passed away suddenly in November 2012, and the following March, his mom attended her first St. Baldrick’s event at Meehan’s Public House in Sandy Springs, Georgia.
Michael’s mom, Mary, reflects on the event.
This past weekend, I watched two men get their heads shaved in memory of their friend and my son, Michael. They looked supremely happy. I know without a doubt Michael was there in spirit sporting a big grin on his face, just as he did each time he was a shavee.
I regret never attending any of the events when Michael got his head shaved. He did it three times — in fact I kind of dreaded it. I didn’t think Mike looked good bald, and I told him so! But he would always assure me his hair would grow back again. He smiles back at me in pictures I have of him in the barber’s chair and he looks so happy.
Remembering Dr. Emil Frei III, Childhood Cancer Research Pioneer
Last week, the childhood cancer world lost one of its true pioneers. In the 1950s and ‘60s, combinations of chemotherapy drugs were first proven effective in curing cancer — specifically acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), one of the most common cancers in children.
The road to this groundbreaking discovery was long and often heartbreaking. Two of the leaders in this work were Dr. Emil Freirich and Dr. Emil Frei, III (February 21, 1924 – April 30, 2013). Due to the similarity in names, the latter became known as Tom.
Dr. Frei was known as an eternal optimist and was admired for challenging preconceptions. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation salutes his ability to think outside the box and to persist in the face of enormous odds, to find cures for kids with leukemia.
Remembering Lt. Steve Cioffi – Hero and Friend to Kids with Childhood Cancer
Lt. Steven L. Cioffi
A New York City police officer, Steve had participated at the Hero Celebration at The Boathouse Central Park since 2008. Barbara Zobian, Boathouse VEO, says, “We always looked forward to seeing Steve’s smiling face. He has been a staunch supporter of our efforts to fund a cure for childhood cancer. We will always honor him in everything we do. There will always be only one Lieutenant Steve Cioffi, and we are so thankful to call him friend.”