Jason C. Stafford, Amherst Middle custodian
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Stafford

Jason C. Stafford was told at an early age he wouldn't live long.

Born with neurofibromatosis, an incurable, genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue, producing skin and bone abnormalities, Mr. Stafford did his best to live a normal life.

He graduated from Amherst High School in 2000, interned and later received a full-time job as a custodian at Amherst Middle School. He

also began attending classes at Erie Community College.

Mr. Stafford, who turned 26 on June 12, died Wednesday, July 4, 2007 in his Amherst home.

"I don't want people to cry cause I am dying, but I want people to know how much living meant to me," said Mr. Stafford in a death notice he dictated to his mother during the last month of his life. "I always tried to live each day to the fullest cause I wasn't sure what my disease would do to me. I got to live 26 years. I wish it was more, but God seems to want me."

Mr. Stafford, known to friends as "Jay," was an inspiration to everyone he knew.

"Jason had many qualities you'd like to see in all students - hardworking, appreciative, self-motivated to do his best, and proud of his work," said Mary Baczkiewicz, a special education teacher at Amherst High School. "He was always upbeat. He would stop by after school very excited to talk about his day and what plans he had, and he always made sure to ask how I was doing."

It was Mr. Stafford's outgoing personality, along with a strong work ethic, determination, punctuality and dependability, that got him hired as a full-time member of the middle school custodial staff.

"We always talked about his job," said Holly Allen, transition coordinator at Amherst High School, who originally placed Mr. Stafford in an unpaid internship with the middle school custodial staff. "I always told him he was my transition 'poster child' because no one transitioned from school to the world of work as well as Jason did."

"I love working for Amherst," said Mr. Stafford in his death notice. "I always tried very hard because that's what you are supposed to do at work. I was lucky and honored to work for you. To everyone in Amherst Middle School, the district office and Smallwood Elementary School: Thank you. Thank you for all your cards, letters and visits. I wanted to know if I made a difference in the world, and you all showed me I did. I love you all."

Interested in a career in hospitality, Mr. Stafford took a weekend job in 2005 as a bellman and driver with what was then the Hampton Inn (now called Hotel Indigo) near University at Buffalo North Campus. He was named associate of the quarter for the first part of 2006. When it became a monthly honor, he won the award this past January. He will be honored posthumously for April.

Mr. Stafford is survived by his mother, Karen, and a brother, Jacob. Services were held July 8 from Amigone Funeral Home.