Times Herald-Record
Behind that brisk, bellowing voice of Montgomery's Paul Teutul Sr., the patriarch of the Orange County Choppers, the Discovery Channel's most popular feature, is a heart of gold and a generous spirit that can't be measured.
Recently when Jim and Lisa Murphy of Newfane, a community near Niagara Falls, made contacts to have their sons, Jay and Joel, age 14, meet their TV idols, Teutul and "his family" couldn't have been more accommodating.
The Murphy boys, physically impaired since birth and lovingly cared for at home by their parents, could hardly contain themselves. They got the red-carpet treatment from a lot of people the moment they arrived in Orange County.
The dream-makers included Josephine Formisano of Newburgh's Ramada Inn, where lodging was given, Village of Montgomery Mayor Steve Brescia and Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois, who facilitated the meeting with the Teutuls and offered celebrity-type transportation, and Sgt. Paul Arteta of the Sheriff's Office, who was the official guide. Arteta gave Jay and Joel souvenir sheriff's baseball caps and made them "special deputy sheriffs" to their delight.
Although the visit was on the same day the Teutuls were taping a show with Yankee catcher Jorge Posada, the Murphy family was welcomed on the set with open arms. Filming stopped and the Teutul family posed for pictures. Included were Paul Jr. and Mikey, the famous sons, and popular cast members Vinny DeMartino and Cody Connelly. Lots of hugs and handshakes were exchanged. Jay and Joel were so excited they couldn't sit still for the camera. But they took home a dream-come-true experience and have lots of pictures and memories to last a lifetime.
Since returning home, the parents and older sister, Jennifer, have talked incessantly about the hospitality and love the family received from everyone, especially the Teutuls.
"Please thank everyone for us," said Lisa Murphy. "Somehow our thank-yous don't seem adequate."
Thank YOU, Lisa, you made our day!
