. You will live forever in our memories and hearts.
Before I share what I have to say about my beloved brother, I want to personally thank, first and foremost, Mr. John Priest and his amazing family, Paul, Marcel, all of our great friends, my girlfriend Stephany, my family, and last, but certainly not least the East Meadow Fire Department. You have all been so supportive and helpful through this difficult time. My friends and I joked a couple days ago saying that, “this truly is as good as a terrible thing can go.” All kidding aside, it really has been just that and speaking for myself all of the people I just named contributed to that. So once again thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Never in my life would I ever have guessed that I would have to bury a brother, much less 2. For those who know Marcel, Paul, and I, you know we roll 5 deep everywhere we go. It always used to be Me, Paul, Marcel, Rob, and Kevin. In these past 8 months, we’ve been reduced to 3. Me personally, I’ll never understand why god does what he does. Frankly, it doesn’t even matter because no explanation could ever be good enough for me.
It has only been a few days and already there is a huge void. It is so blatantly obvious that you are not with us anymore. I know you know how we are feeling right now, Rob. I remember clearly how we spent every day together when Kevin passed. So I can’t help but be a little upset with you. The four of us felt a pain that we never felt before. A terrible pain that we agreed we never wanted to feel again. And yet here we are. We said we were going to protect ourselves, we were going to protect each other, and we were going to do whatever was necessary so that we wouldn’t have to feel that pain again. And yet here we are.
These past few days have been some of the most difficult days of my life. It was so hard for me to see you in the condition you were in. For once, I was looking forward to an open casket just so I can take that image out of my head. And the mortician’s did a great job, especially with your hair. As well they should because I’m sure you probably would’ve haunted them if they didn’t get it just right. No denying that you went out like a stud and I know you wouldn’t have it any other way.
For those who knew Robert Paul Priest, they knew how funny, wild, and happy he always was. All of these things are absolutely true and there’s no denying that. But for those who had the privilege to REALLY get to know Rob and spend time with him, you knew he was way more than just a good time. Rob had several great qualities, one better than the other.
Rob was selfless. Rob was the kind of guy who would rescue you from a burning building – I mean that figuratively and literally speaking. Rob ate, slept, and breathed the East Meadow Fire Department. He loved everything that had to do with it. I’m not even a member and he would speak to me in fire lingo as if I was going to understand any of the terms he was throwing at me. I didn’t mind though. I enjoyed listening to it and seeing just how passionate he was about it. I’m sure you guys already knew this, but let me just say it again that he loved and respected each and every member of the fire department.
Rob was a very simple guy. He loved just hanging out and being with his friends and family. He had a variety of music he loved to listen to. I loved just riding around in the car with him and listening to DJ Scooter, Pearl Jam, several different kinds of rap, and the bare-naked ladies.
He also had a way of introducing us to country music and making us like it somehow. In fact, one of my fondest memories of Rob actually includes a country song. My birthday is October 9th, 2 days before Rob’s was. So normally we would celebrate our birthdays together just cause it was easier. Just this past October, Rob said to me let’s not celebrate them together. We’ll go out for mine another night; I want you to have a good night. I’ll drive and I’m buying you drinks all night. Naturally I wasn’t going to turn down that offer. We went to the Nutty Irishman together and had one of the best nights I’ve ever had. We danced the entire night, and we drank like a bunch of nutty Irishmen.
When it finally came time to go home, Rob dropped me off last. He had his Dodge Charger at the time, which had a black leather interior. I was pretty inebriated and I was lying down across the entire back seat. All of the sudden, Rob starts blasting this song by Garth Brooks called “friends in low places.” The chorus begins by saying, “I got friends in low places, where the whiskey downs and the beer chases my blues away.” Prior to him playing that song I kept falling in between the seats because of all the sudden stops he was making at stop signs and red lights. So I started singing along with him and coincidentally every time the chorus said, “I got friends in low places,” I had fallen in between the front and back seats. Rob and I could not stop laughing about it the day after. I’m still convinced he did it on purpose after a while.
One thing I've noticed the past week is just how great the company Rob kept throughout his life was. I’ve known his family for a long time now. I can’t say enough about how strong, supportive, and just overall amazing the Priest family is. I am truly honored to know them and have them in my life. The fire department was also an amazing group of people he had in his life. I am noticing that the camaraderie that we all had as a group, is identical to the camaraderie this fire department has. And as far as I’m concerned that’s a great trait. I’m proud that he was able to feel the love from his family, from us as his friends, and the companionship from this department.
For some, death is the end. For those who know better, death is only the beginning. Unfortunately and fortunately, I have had prior experience to know that this is not the end. Rob unfortunately learned that lesson too before he passed. And so Rob, as you embark on your next journey, know that those who love you down on Earth will never let your memory fade. You were a blessing to me. You changed my life in so many ways that you don’t even know. I would say that I wish I could’ve said that to you while you were on Earth, but there’s no reason why I can’t say it now. In closing, I love you so much Rob. I always will. Hope you and Kevin have fun up there. But not too much fun without us. Take care of yourself and watchover us, the same way you always have. Until we meet again brother.
Rob, when Kevin passed I did everything I could to help you guys out. I has such a hard time dealing with his death and seeing the deep pain in you, joe, paul and marcel that I tried to think of anything i mean anything to help. Just when I thought all my efforts would never take the pain away from you guys you said to me "your Mother den and always know the right thing to do". I never got to thank you for saying that to me cause it lifted 10 pound brick loff my heart. That smile, swag and loving personality will never be forgotten. Every party we have been at together I will never forget your dance moves and always telling me to "relax stef" When you would say those words to me I just felt more at ease with whatever mood I was in.You always had such a positive attitude. Your always in my heart and in the heart of soooooooooo many others. I can only hope you are watching over your amazing family and close friends.
Stef
