A Tribute to my Friend Steve Kalafer

We are shaped by the experiences and people we meet on the journey through life, and if you’re lucky enough to come across someone like Steve Kalafer, the impact can be profound.

 

I was lucky enough in 1998 when, as a student at Drew University, a mutual friend introduced me to Steve.  This was the year that the Somerset Patriots were prepping to begin their first year, and I  was beyond thrilled to know that a professional team was going to play just minutes from where I grew up in Middlesex. That introduction launched a friendship that endured for more than twenty years.

 

Steve wasn’t just a good friend, he was a mentor, and I’ll forever be thankful for all the wonderful things he and Ellen did for me over the years.  While a mutual love of baseball is what initially connected us, Steve, a self-proclaimed fan and champion of my art was more excited about my modern neo-expression paintings I was doing in college than anything else.

 

I would go to many Yankee games with Steve, and not just any Yankee games. He took me under his wing, making sure that I was there for the great World Series games in 1998, 1999 , 2000 and more. It was Steve introducing me to Joe Torre that kicked off one of the greatest honors of my life –   having the honor to go the field for batting practice before games  and meet players – an unforgettable experience that has become tradition for more than fifteen years.

 

Sitting in the dugouts, being involved with all the incredible events with the Torre Foundation, and  treasured memories of unbelievable moments like hanging out with Billy Crystal are just a few of the amazing memories of hanging out with Steve. One of my favorite memories though, was spending the day in the car, driving around NYC with Steve, Joe Torre and Don Zimmer, who were literally like rock stars at that time! I painted both Torre and Zimmer at Steve’s request and I’ll always remember Zimmer’s wife being so gracious – she said the painting I had done of her husband was the nicest gift hey had ever received in baseball. 

 

 

Steve Kalafer, who, in addition to the Somerset Patriots baseball team also owned Flemington Car & Truck Country, was a philanthropist and dedicated to the community. Needless to say, I have never had a truck that  was not from Flemington Car and Truck Company. In fact, Steve was one of the reasons my wife and I settled Hunterdon County. I could always count on him for great advice and support of my many projects over the years.

 

One of the last projects – in fact, some of the last days I spent with Steve was the Tour of Somerville bike race.  He was wonderful with charity organizations and always recruited me to help, which inevitably connected me to so many other wonderful folks in the community like Marc Russinoff of the Somerset Patriots, the iconic Sparky Lyle, and the amazing Kathleen Palmer of Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery, just to mention a few.

Steve was the consummate people person. I always felt so lucky to receive a message on New Years Eve from him – I can’t tell you what an impression that made on me. I threw out many a first pitch at the ballpark, and Steve would always make it a point not just shake my hand, but to follow it up with a hug. I know he did this with so many others; he just had this ability to make you feel so special. 

 

It hit a chord last night to see Steve’s face and hear his story on the Yankees broadcast honoring him. I was both incredibly sad and unbelievably honored to have known him. I was so happy to see the Patriots become a Double AA Yankees affiliate –  I know how excited Steve was about that. My heart goes out to the Kalafer family and to everyone he influenced. 

 

I can only hope that this tribute comforts those who knew Steve, and touches anyone who may only now be learning all the wonderful things he did big and small. I know that I will strive to always live my life like him.