The Chief was the toughest guy I’ve ever known or ever likely will know. He was a member of the Greatest Generation, like my father, a World War II veteran.

He grew up in upstate New York. His father, Jack, a World War I veteran, held several jobs but had trouble holding one for a consistent period of time. He, however, provided for his wife and children a home, food and clothing, which was not so easy in the 1920s ad ’30s.

Chief did not feel particularly happy in his family home, so during his senior year of high school he left and rented a…