“Hey Joe” “Hec, what’s up?” If I learned anything from my Italian father-in-law, and his brothers it’s that “old school” Italians are full of great stories, history, and they love to share it with whomever will listen. A simple ‘hello’ leads into the old days of Buffalo and you go down the rabbit hole filled with imagination and amazing stories. This was Joey Giambra.

Joe (as I called him) did more than tell you stories and give you history lessons. He also touched your spirit in a way few can. Joe was the security guard at my office building, but I learned he was also a musician, trumpet player, an actor, a writer, a poet, and so much more.