I've been a fan all my life. I grew up on 187th and Hoffman. Dion was from the same neighborhood, but a little closer to Crotona and Southern Boulevard. He's twenty years older than I am, and he was already gone from the neighborhood by the time I came along. But there's still a connection because of the Church and the Mount Carmel Society. Since he returned to Catholicism he comes back for functions every so often. When Monsignor Ruvo retired he showed up unannounced for the dinner at the Marina del Rey.

He's lived in Florida for close to fifty years now. First in Miami, later on in West Boca. He lives over by Clint Moore and Jog in a beautiful (but unpretentious) home. When he's not touring he's all over the place down there in the local restaurants, supermarkets, etc. He's still a regular guy.