Thank You, Jeff

Francesco Palumbo
Nov 7 · 7 min read

It’s not every day that you get to meet someone who impacts your life immediately. With Jeff being a few years older in high school, I started looking up to him at a young age from afar. He would stop by my 8th grade math class with his teammates to talk with Coach Caufield. Every time I saw him, it was a smile and a “Hey man, what’s up?”

Even once he graduated from Hugh C. Williams, Caufield would reference Jeff’s significance to Canton Athletics in practices and in conversation as I continued through high school. He was an outstanding leader on his teams, and I wanted to be like Jeff. I had the opportunity to tell him that personally when we played baseball collegiately together years later.

Jake Pitcher, Jeff Hyde, Colby Young, and Coach Caufield (Photo: Colby Young/Facebook)

I especially remember his presence on the baseball field and hoping to one day wear the brown and gold for Canton in the same way he did — with a quieter sense of leadership that you don’t always see in the world today. Jeff didn’t have to say a word to earn the respect of teammates, but when he did speak up, it was meaningful and authentic. Even in summer soccer and baseball years later, Jeff’s presence was a blessing. You could tell he truly cared about all of his teammates and friends.

Jeff Hyde and the 2018 SUNY Canton Kangaroos on Senior Day. Jeff is pictured in the middle row, three in from the right. (Photo: Nate Hart | SUNY Canton RooAthletics)

We were “Home Boys.” A couple of kids from Canton High School, playing baseball locally at Canton college together. I was in my senior year when he came back to school after serving overseas in the Army.

Jeff Hyde, circa December 2015. (Photo: John Hyde | Facebook)

He and I hit it off right away from the first fall ball practice. However, initially, I wasn’t sure I wanted us to be labeled as “the locals,” just because I noticed that it was often seen as a negative to play in your hometown after high school. But once Jeff and I started hanging out, we didn’t care. We fully embraced it.

Through whatever adversity we faced, I was just happy to be there playing the sport I love, WITH JEFF, while representing OUR Canton Golden Bears & SUNY Canton Kangaroos… We were “Home Boys” together.

On our very first bus trip to NYC & Florida, I sat next to Jeff. We all know how long that ride is from Canton — In total, you spend over 50 hours to and from Spring Training on the bus alone. He and I talked and hung out almost the whole ride there and back. Joking around, having fun, and just talking about life in general, figuring it all out. After that first trip, I made sure to sit next to Jeff on every bus ride that I could. One time, I had to drive separately to a game against St. John Fisher in Rome, NY due to a class I couldn’t miss. In an act of selfless humility, Jeff volunteered to ride with me there and back.

A whole bunch of Bears (Photo: May 20, 2018)

During late-night study sessions at the library, he would help me stay focused — even when the fatigue of the day started to set in. During our 6am workouts or practices throughout the year, he would always push me to leave it all out there. During the games, he would always be the voice of reason, keeping everything in perspective and consistently providing positive support. Plus, he never turned down extra reps in the cages.

Jeff was a great BP partner. Always going the extra mile and willing to stay late at the gym.

Don’t get me wrong, we had our fun too. But even when I look back at our time during nights out with the boys or at the Hoot (in the offseason of course), Jeff always made sure to lead by example while treating other people with a friendly greeting and respect.

Even though he was a little older — and WE DID call him “Grandpa Jeff” — you wouldn’t have ever known that by the way he treated his teammates. One of the last times we got to see each other was over the summer in Lake George. A group of our teammates met up and had an amazing weekend on the lake. In his honor, we plan to continue that tradition for the years to come.

He and I talked through all of our successes as well as all of our road bumps throughout the season. We fed off of one another and he supported me through every up and down that you could imagine.

Jeff with Emily Pinckney, Chantel Rose, and myself at Taylor & Tyler Thomas’ wedding (May 2018)

Every time I saw Jeff, he was someone who I looked to and felt with certainty would be one of those life-long friends. Someone who I would make sure was a part of my life as we grew old. Over the past year since I left Canton, I have found myself continually thinking about that brotherhood. Our team was something so special to us. As we move on throughout life, that bond isn’t something that you can just come across or manufacture.

Jeff’s post from May 2018, following Senior Day 💔💝

I reflect often on how fortunate I was to be in a position where I was surrounded by great people, because they can be hard to find as you transition through the different phases of your life. When I reflect on that positivity and support through baseball, Jeff is always one of the first people that comes to mind.

He will always be with us, but obviously, it will never be the same.

Jeff Hyde with teammates Derrek DuPont, Gerald Abillar, Jake Vierno, & Junior Malinoski, circa Spring 2019.

To our team: After finding out about the heartbreaking news, I spoke with our coaches and they each relayed a similar message. They told me to keep my head up, but they also said that we need to continue growing and working with others the way Jeff taught us to. Always put your best, full effort forward in a way that would make Jeff proud. It really is what he would want us to do.

2018 SUNY Canton Baseball Team Photo in Florida. (Photo: Nate Hart | SUNY Canton RooAthletics)
2019 SUNY Canton Baseball Team Photo in Florida. (Photo: Nate Hart | SUNY Canton RooAthletics)

The remarkable thing about Jeff was this: For every detail I shared above where he impacted me, I know for a fact that everyone else around him felt that exact same presence and energy. His consistency as a genuine friend proves to be the overarching message which has rung true through this tragedy. He was loved by all. That deep connection was something I know so many others also experienced. In a social gathering, he could be surrounded by friends, but he still made you feel as it was just you and him. He shared that connection with so many people who were blessed to meet him.

He brought so many people together, and I will always hold the memories of Jeff Hyde close to my heart. Thank you my Cantonian brother.

❤May 9, 1992 — November 6, 2019❤

The RooAthletics tribute to Jeff: https://bit.ly/2NmT0xa (Photo: Nate Hart | SUNY Canton RooAthletics)

In the time since hearing the discouraging news, our team has felt the love which everyone had for Jeff. As we communicated through this first day, the message became clear to us: “The only way to get through this tough time is together.” Which was something that Jeff’s approach in leadership taught us. Please join us at the SUNY Canton Women’s Hockey game on Saturday at 3pm in the Roos House as we honor Jeff, and do not hesitate to reach out to his family and friends. We know how important he was to us, and as tough as it may seem, it truly helps to think about all the great times we shared. I know it may not have totally sunken in yet for most of us, and it still doesn’t make sense, but I know that when we all see each other this weekend — and for the rest of our lives — we will have each other’s back, the same way Jeff had ours.

📸 🎥 Video Montage:

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