‘Mouse’ will always be unforgettable

Ihonestly don’t remember the first time I met Jimmy “Mouse” Chacko. But what I can recall is I was introduced to him by Stan Milchovich. I didn’t know it then how lucky I was.

I was a young sports scribe still feeling my way around the Mon Valley, trying to get acquainted with as much of the area’s illustrious sports history as I could.

The year was maybe 1980, possibly 1981. I was at Charleroi Area High School in Milchovich’s office when this nicely dressed, professional looking guy with a huge smile walked in.

Milchovich asked me if I had ever heard of “Mouse Chacko.” And I said I did not.

The look on Chacko’s face turned from smile to shock. He then proceeded to give me a quick synopsis of what he had done as an athlete at Charleroi and in college. He replayed some of his greatest accomplishments – and there were many.

I remember thinking how did I not know who this guy was. And I passed it off as he was a Charleroi guy and I was a Greyhound and never the twain shall meet.

How wrong I was. That chance meeting was the beginning of a relationship that lasted over 40 years and is one I always cherished.

After that first meeting, there wasn’t a time I didn’t look forward to seeing him out and about. And I took great personal joy on how he always treated me like I was some kind of local celebrity.

I knew his health was failing in recent years and that dementia had started to take hold of his once brilliantly creative personality. And then I heard his physical health was also going downhill.

When I got the call of his passing Sunday at the age of 83, I was not surprised. But I was certainly filled with fond nostalgia about a life well-lived.

The three words that, to me, described Mouse most were: proud, professional and comfortable.

He was a very proud guy – proud of his accomplishments and career, his family, his school and community.

He was extremely professional in everything he did. It was not only important for him to be very good as an athlete, coach, administrator, or sports official, but he also had to look the part. He was a hall of famer at everything he did.

He was so comfortable in his skin. He was proud of all aspects of his life and he was never apologetic about being different or saying exactly what was on his mind.

I am reminded about an incident with Mouse that, to some, could have been considered blasphemy. Yet he didn’t care what anybody thought.

The incident I am talking about was arranged by one of his dear friends and mine, Danny Bergstedt.

Danny and Mouse were famous for their back-andforth jabs about Bergstedt’s love for his Monessen Greyhounds and Mouse’s pride for his Cougars.

Charleroi and Monessen were getting ready to meet in a football season opener at Memorial Stadium. When the pair showed up for the game, there was Mouse proudly wearing a Monessen Greyhounds shirt.

He actually looked good in wearing the colors of the Cougars’ cross-river rival. But putting on the enemy’s gear in public was rare.

But Mouse didn’t care. He thought it was funny and wasn’t worried about the ribbing he was bound to get by Charleroi and Monessen fans alike at the game.

“His son-in-law is livid,” Bergstedt said at the time, speaking of Kevin Lee, a former Charleroi sports star and proud Cougar. “He couldn’t believe Mouse would put that shirt on and wear it.”

Now, that is being comfortable in your skin.

Over the years, he always met me with a huge smile, a loud greeting of “Jeffrey, how are you? How are things in Monessen?” And, of course, always a warm hug followed.

It’s going to be a while until we meet again, but I certainly look forward to it. It will be glorious in paradise, where I have no doubt Mouse is now.

I told someone about his passing that I’m sure Danny Bergstedt was the first to greet him at the pearly gates of Heaven.

It’s kind of ironic that a man, who was a lion in anything he ever did and a pussy cat with anyone he cared about, had the nickname of “Mouse.”

He was much bigger in life than a mouse. He lived his life the way any of us would have been proud to.

Jim “Mouse” Chacko was bigger than life. He got his money’s worth in 83 years, showering folks with fond memories along the way.

And I’m so glad I had that chance meeting with him many years ago in Milchovich’s office. Looking back, I would feel really bad if I didn’t know him.

Anyone with any thoughts, opposing views or comments on this column can reach Jeff Oliver by emailing justjto@verizon.net.