02/15/2025
It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my friend and brother-in-spirit Bryan Daffin. Among a long list of endeavors he was known for, he was the second owner of Hit and Run Mobile Music, taking over the reins in 2010.
Daff and I became friends during my work at the radio station in the 1990s and our relationship grew over the years. His sense of humor, quick wit and never knowing a stranger were things we shared in common. (But watch out when that mischievous twinkle was in his eye, you never knew what would come next hahah!)
After Big's Place closed in 2014, when Daff was DJ-ing my son and daughter-in-law's wedding, he asked me if I'd be interested in getting back into "the business" again. Without hesitation, I enthusiastically said yes! That began a wonderful run of 11 years for us in Hit and Run Mobile Music.
Bryan would always message me when I was setting up for a gig, ensuring that equipment was working right and all was well. Then, after the event was over, he'd check in most times to make sure everything had gone well and I was safely packing up to head home.
One gig ended in the wee hours of the morning and I decided to not potentially wake him up with an "I'm good and on my way home/ I'm home safely" message. Boy, did I get fussed at the next day LOL In a loving way, of course! His care and concern for my well being - and that of the business- never abated and, along the way, I became Daff's partner in Hit and Run Mobile Music.
In 2015, I returned to WESR full time and Daff and I had more interaction with his involvement with Tasley Volunteer Fire Company. In 2021, he asked if we could meet because he had an idea he wanted to run by me. It was a year into the Covid changes in how we lived and Bryan really wanted to promote family togetherness while organizing a fundraiser for the fire station. He laid out his idea for the first Tasley Volunteer Fire Company Family Fun Raffle (which included the giveaway of a new travel trailer.) I can't tell you how many times Daff mentioned how much he and his family enjoyed camping and he wanted to promote activities that brought families together like his experienced.
Through a lot of work from everyone at the fire station, the fundraiser was a resounding success which culminated with the live broadcast from the radio station giving away prizes every fifteen minutes. The success of that fundraiser was continued in 2022 and 2023.
In 2021, Daff came by the radio station one morning and needed to lay out another opportunity he had: to have the Tasley overpass named in honor of his father Phillip “Caro” Daffin who worked with VDOT on the Eastern Shore from 1940 until his death in 1978. There were a lot of hurdles to jump but Daff was bound and determined to see the project through to fruition to honor his Dad who passed away on the job. Anytime you travel over the Tasley Overpass, look along the side of the highway and you will see the Phillip Daffin Memorial Overpass sign and know how proud Bryan was of that accomplishment.
In 2022, Bryan again asked if we could meet for a conversation. This time it was not a fundraiser or potential gig coming up. It was the advent of health concerns that would bring changes in his life and he asked if I'd be willing to take over Hit and Run Mobile Music and continue the tradition. Again, without hesitation, I said yes.
Just a few weeks ago, when one of the snow storms was approaching, he called me with the offer that if I decided to camp out again at the radio station during a bad snow like I did in 2018, to take full use of the showers and bunk room at the Tasley Vol. Fire Company so I could have some down time and be taken care of. Right up to the end, Daff was always looking out for others’ well being.
Throughout the past 30 years of knowing and loving Daff, he has been a shining example of love, caring for others, helping beyond measure and being willing to do anything for anyone at any time. As we honor his life and legacy, I hope each of us will not only carry his memory with us but- when we see an opportunity- embrace Daff's spirit and love & help others.
