Back in the mid-90s I taught 7th and 8th grade at Saint Gabriels Catholic School in the tough Grays Ferry section of South Philly. There was (and still is) a lot of problems in that hood- it is notorious for its racial tension. Section 8 housing was killing the neighborhood so the clashes made the news every night. The Nation of Islam and Louis Farrakhan even paraded and protested in the streets while I was there.
There was also a big drug problem. A lot of my 12 year-old students had done things I still haven’t experienced at this age. They were tough Irish Catholics but were mostly really great kids. After I moved on I kept in touch with some of them. One was Shea.
I was doing a bit of DJing at the time and Shea took an interest in it. Sometimes I’d hook him up with small gigs doing dances at my new school and he in turn would loan me some of his equipment for my gigs. He even DJed my wedding 8 years ago, where this picture was taken.
He stopped by one time since then to show me his first car. he was about 18 and was talking about becoming a cop. I haven’t spoken to him since.
Why am I telling you this? Shea overdosed Sunday. He joined a way-too-long list of former students who’ve died from drugs.
By the way- the other dude in the picture? The sweaty one in the middle is me obviously (no. longer. single!) but the other kid (in the red) is Vincent Chappolini.
I was paired with little Vince when he was 9 when I volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. We spent almost every weekend together ’till he was 16. He was practically my best man. He lived alone with his Grandma at 5th and Reed. When she died of an alcohol-related accident he skipped around the state in boarding schools until eventually he was shot and killed at 18 years old, just after this photo was taken.
I’ve wanted to write about Vince for a long time because it’s almost like he never existed. No obituary. Zero Google search results. Even his house, which was in his family since his Great, Great Grandmother, doesn’t exist anymore, so I guess it’s about time I paid respect.
I heard about both deaths through other people so I have no details. I kinda like it that way… like maybe people got names mixed up and they’re really still out there, living somewhere in California raising a family.
I have kids now so this shit just worries the hell out of me constantly. I look at my kids and I think back on how cute Vince used to be, always wanting to wrestle just like they do. How cute Shea’s two little brothers were when they came with their Mom to pick him up from school.
Sorry I’m always seem to be talking about death. Hopefully this is the last time.
