Top Shelf Todd Stories
Nicole Madera and FAM
Not sure where I even want to start but this is going to be a long one. Deb and I have been really good friends since she was a freshmen at UF, in fact I like to take credit for her Gator status. We grew up in the same town and would take countless trips back and forth up the coast in our younger years. Fast forward to the early 2000’s and Deb is working as a teacher in WPB and I’m in school in Ft Lauderdale. I had a rotation at the WPB VA and Deb so kindly offered her apartment over to me cause she could stay with her ‘boyfriend.’ Don’t you know I was CURIOUS, excited, and uber happy for my girl.
The second I met ‘the guy’ I knew he was worth the wait and dang, did he look on at Deb like she was a princess on a pedestal. I wanted my girl to feel the LOVE!! She herself being one of the most generous, kindest, brightest humans I know needed to have only the best as her bo!
Eventually these two moved in together to their sweet downtown WPB apartment and were living it up. Many a fun night we all had being so centrally located to walk to all the hot spots. I’ll never forget one night we were all decked out to hit the streets and Todd got a package he wanted to open up before leaving. It was a box filled with Medifast products. He tore it open with such enthusiasm that he was going to get his weight under control and this was the way… rightfully pulling out box after processed package trying to be hopeful but knowing this prob would not be the ultimate fix. If you knew Todd you can only imagine the comedy act that ensued with each discovery. Needless to say he needed a last hurrah before diving into his new nutrition plan.
I loved how he always looked at Deb enamored by her, his queen to cherish. I remember one time hanging out with them and Todd bought Deb a Dooney and Bourke purse and at that time we were all fairly poor so that was big time and he was like of course it bares her initials she def needs to be sporting that designer purse around.
Todd was a fantastic taster and supporter of our chili creations during our younger years as the young hot chili chicks….awards may have been granted.
What I always found special as the years have gone on and our distance has grown was how supportive Todd had always been of keeping up our friendships….if he knew we were heading to town hotel stays were booked, restaurant reservations made, and we were felt to feel like a priority. We happened to be in town when Sarah was born and got to be one of the firsts to hold her in her arms…Todd was so incredibly proud to finally be a dad as that journey took a bit longer than they had planned.
Todd was not only comedic and a joy giver but authentic, compassionate, smart and selfless. He loved sharing knowledge with others that he felt he had down whether it be finances, whiskey, or travel advice.
16 years ago I was just getting to know Todd better as he had been dating Deb for a few years and had recently married Deb at that point and I’ll never forget they both flew out to celebrate Jorge and I’s wedding in Lake Las Vegas. I always loved a good party and felt like things were taking a bit too long to get the party started but I tell you what once the Toddmeister hit the dance floor and broke out his break dance moves…it was FIRE!!! I was so grateful. From that point on the party was ON!!!!
Jorge truly enjoyed Todd and all of his amazing liquor tastings and knowledge on the subject. He also recalled just meeting Todd and sharing how he really wanted to get into golfing. Todd right away offered Jorge to take this crazy expensive putter so he could get his golf game going. Jorge felt like he barely knew him, yet was so generous.
Despite the situation Todd was an optimist, he’d always find the good and make it about that. Not many people can truly do that and do it authentically. His energy will be missed.
The stories could go on….but Todd was one of a kind, good people, the guy you want on your team. He will be missed so dearly. I hope all who knew him can dig deep to their inner Todd and be like him for a bit to show him the imprint of goodness that he left on all of our hearts, minds, and souls.
Ron Herman
Our family became close when we both had our first daughters . They were about the same age and at times were best friends. When our daughters were 3, Todd and I took them to our first Father Daughter Dance. We were a little outnumbered and outgirled at the time, but made this an annual tradition. On our second year -both knowing we had young second daughters at home- laughed that in a few years we are going to bring both our daughters to the dance. And we did. We went for 8 years. Each year of course increasing the crowd we brought and the VIP status. Our kids knew the routine-how to be first for the Photo Booth then how to be first for the chocolate fountain. This was a special evening and all the dads were proud to go.
Loriellen Robertson
I'm going to have to try to find the photo, because it was on film, not digital, but it was from when I was in law school at University of Miami. It must have been 2002 or 2003 when the South Beach Wine and Food Festival was just getting started. I reached out to Deb to see if she and Todd wanted to meet Kevin and I at the Grand Tasting Tent. I warned her it was a little "pricey" for tickets at $50 a pop (it's $450 a ticket now). Todd was totally on board. He loved a good time and at a bargain price! We got to the Grand Tasting on the beach and watched celebrity chefs cook and tasted all the food and wine there was to offer. After 6-8 hours of being on the beach, we were all sunburnt and spent! But man did we have fun.
Every party, Gator tailgate, and day at the pool was a great time with Todd. He loved coming down to visit the Keys and we got to see the whole family last Summer when Key West was a stop on their cruise. He was definitely the yes man to any great event and will be sorely missed. I am grateful to have known him.
Angie Cortesio
Todd, you were one of the first people I met in Palm Beach , your leadership in the early days of Young Friends of the Palm Beach Symphony was instrumental in its success. We always looked forward to seeing you & Deb, one of our most favorite all time couples! ❤️❤️ Seeing your smiling faces and feeling your amazing energy in the room always made every event more special & fun! You were one of a kind
& will be so greatly missed.
Barry Caplan
When Todd and I were first getting to know each other, we were talking on the phone and we were exchanging stories about being at Disneyworld in Orlando. I was bemoaning the fact that they didn't have much Goofey paraphernalia to choose from and he was my favorite character. A few days later I received a package, opened it, and inside was a Goofey cap from Todd. When I called him to thank him he told me I was right. It was really hard to acquire Goofey stuff and he had to get it from Germany. This was the first of many generous gestures that Todd would offer to me and my family. He always included us: dinners, theater, concerts, football games. It was unbelievable, the experiences that he would create and always have my parents included.Todd was like a younger brother I never had. He was family. We will miss him.