Tony Chester

Thanks Patti for the update.  I talked with Johnny last week the day after his 74th birthday. He was my best friend in 1950 when we lived across the street from each other on Rosedale Drive in Miami Springs and he was my best friend when he passed away this week. We did everything together as little kids and later on as big kids. On one Sunday afternoon before we were 10 years old we ran away from home together and hopped freight trains trying to get to my Grandmothers house in Georgia. We made it as far as North Hialeah and it got dark and we got scared and ran crying all the way back home. I got a whipping and Johnny got cake and ice cream. I remember it like it was yesterday. He and other classmates were in the car with me one morning on the way to school and I totalled my 55 Ford Crown Victoria. Bill Powell was almost killed. Over our many years of friendship (68) Johnny and I had some crazy adventures. Once, on the way flying to the Bahamas we almost put the plane down in the Gulf Stream when I lost all rudder control. We were lucky to make it back to Opa Locka airport. As older adults we shared other colorful and sometimes clandestine events. We talked about our past adventures many times over the years. At one point in the late 70's we shared a favorite song by Jimmy Buffett "A Pirate Looks at 40" as it fit our lifestyle at the time. The lyrics seemed to fit Johnny right to the end. "Mother, mother ocean, I've heard you call, wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall, You've seen it all, you've seen it all". I really hope Johnny's ashes can be spread near Key West. RIP MY FRIEND, I SHALL MISS YOU. SEE YA LATER.

Hi Patti. If there is any kind of fund to get Johnny's ashes to the Keys I'll be happy to contribute. I'm sure one of his many friends in Florida would be honored to spread them for his family if they agreed. I placed a notice "In Memory" of this site. Thanks, Tony