STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Supporters from West Brighton and beyond came together to support Terry Moore, a long-time Duffy’s bartender readying for a kidney transplant. His friends organized a benefit at Hillside Swim Club and a GoFundMe awareness party to ease the burden on the beloved food service worker.
Duffy’s co-owner Ed Donavan praised Terry, saying, “Terry is a good guy who has always been there for everyone.”
The event, attended by about 500 guests, showcased the strong sense of unity and support within the West Brighton neighborhood, said Donavan. He said it also showcased the West Brighton neighborhood’s strong sense of unity and support.
As a young man Moore worked as high schooler at Pal Joey’s pizzeria, once a mainstay in West Brighton. In his career at Duffy’s before moving into a bartender’s position, he started out as its lunchtime chef and handled the saute station on Friday nights. Moore served as the executive chef/owner of the Lake Cafe for 10 years and Harbor Manor at Snug Harbor, also for a decade. In both the restaurant realm and as a lifelong Staten Islander, Moore’s circle of fans has become a wide one.
‘Best place on earth’
“Terry is a life-long friend who has always been there for me and everyone else through the years,” said Rob Burmeister, a friend of Terry’s since their youth. “It was so nice to see his family, friends and the community that he built come together to support him and his family this time.”
He added, “The Rally for Terry Fundraiser was a huge success. We had over 500 people attend. Some people came as far as Florida and Pennsylvania to support their old friend. One man came up to Terry and said he came to give his support because Terry helped him out when he needed it over 30 years ago and he never forgot it. So he knew when he saw a post about the event he had to show up when Terry needed it most. There were many people like that in attendance.”
Restaurateur Joe Territo said, “Staten Island is the best place on earth. West Brighton is just an incredible place,” Truly touched by the outpouring of love and friendship from the community, he said it was a joy to watch as it evolved…