Help Rebuild a Lifetime of Memories Lost in a Fire

On May 12, a devastating fire completely destroyed my dad’s garage — a place that was so much more than just a structure. Over the last 40 years, he had turned it into his own sports-themed man cave, a space filled wall-to-wall with treasured memorabilia from his favorite teams: the Dallas Cowboys, the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Mets, and Syracuse University basketball.

This collection wasn’t just about sports. It was about connection — to family, to friends, to unforgettable memories. Jerseys, autographed items, trading cards, signed photos, mini helmets, pucks, footballs, baseballs — all carefully collected over decades, each piece holding a story. Along with his sports items, we also lost irreplaceable family keepsakes, including childhood mementos and belongings passed down from my late grandfather. Sadly, everything was lost in the fire. We were devastated to find only melted remnants in the rubble.

Insurance will help with rebuilding the garage, but it can never replace the deep personal value of what was inside — and it won’t cover the cost of trying to rebuild even part of that collection.

Many in the Massena community know my dad not just as a passionate sports fan, but as a generous volunteer coach. He’s dedicated years to coaching local kids in soccer, hockey, softball, and more. He’s always been there to support others, and now we’re hoping we can rally some support for him.

We’re starting this GoFundMe to help raise funds to begin replacing some of the memorabilia that meant so much to him. While the original items can never truly be replaced, we’d love to help him rebuild a new version of the man cave he loved — a space where memories can continue to be made.

If you’re able to donate, we’re incredibly grateful. If not, please consider sharing this page. Every little bit helps.

Thank you so much for reading and for any support you can give.

— Camryn Peets