"Big Russ" was a family friend, my grandfather knew him well. I don't know why, but I spent most of Friday night watching the coverage and found myself saying over and over, "Tim was Western New York," and I don't mean from his comments on Buffalo but the way he held himself. He worked hard, he knew and respected his roots, and he understood what the American dream is, like most of Westerm New Yorkers...take care of your fdamily, live a respectable life and fight for what you belive.
I've been coast to coast for my job and through 20 years I've realized there is not an area in the country that is more in tune to "The Dream" than home; Buffalo. Good, hard working people who want to make those who come next in the family fare better than those who are currently on the front line. It's not achieved much, but we have a lot of rags to riches stories from our area and we take pride in every one of them that reaches the pinical of their success. They are a part of us and we are a part of them. We are a special breed. There are few that understand it. Take pride in it and when you're asked where you come from say "Buffalo" with pride, like I do. We are a great, special people!
May God bless his family and friends and may Tim never be forgotten.