Baffi Lungi, one of the founding members of Monkeywhale, passed away this morning in the company of loved ones, after a courageous four month battle with kidney disease. Baffi Lungi, whose name means “long whiskers” in Italian, chose to drop the h from Lungi when first arriving on American shores from Italy in the late nineties. Before making a home with Harvey and Carolyn five years ago, Baffi dabbled in many interesting careers including sea captain, (where his love of whitefish and salmon developed), vagabond, magician, catnip dealer and of course, drumming for the band Salmonella which continued throughout his years on Chestnut Street. Baffi Lungi, also known as Snags, Snaggle and Snags of the Street was well known for his distinguished “one ear” look which came to fruition after a knife fight in Mexico involving cards and tequila.
In his senior years, Baffi pursued his varied interests with great zeal: leisure time on porch railings, steps and white comforters, patrolling His kitchen (not “Harvey’s”), making appearances in videos and photographs he thought worthy of his time, Chestnut Street exploration, mouse hunting, catnip munching, ham snacking, bird watching out the window of a second floor “tree house” apartment, etc. Baffi Lungi’s contribution to Monkeywhale is unfathomable and his support for creative pursuits was clear. In the early days of talking and planning, when Carolyn was doing her time in the photography program at RCC, Baffi could always be found sprawled out on photography books, matte board and rulers, posing for photo assignments, and being a built-in cat alarm when the snooze button was hit too many times in the early morning. When Harvey was still bartending and caught in the vicious late night cycle of that work, Baffi adjusted his own schedule, staying out late and welcoming him home, tapping on the front door in the wee hours of the morning to be let in, lying across his chest as he watched late night tv before bed.
As Monkeywhale really began to get underway, film magazines, camera bags and especially computer keyboards became Baffi’s chosen places to rest. If he thought a Kitchen session was going well, Baffi would usually make an appearance and sometimes remain nearby for the rest of the performance. He developed close friendships with many of the Monkeywhale crew and a few select musicians (often the ladies) who have made return visits to the Kitchen. Throughout all four of our 48 Hour Film adventures, Baffi was there, often in the wee hours of the morning when only a few people were still awake in the house, sitting nearby, watching, listening, offering cat support as only he could do.
Baffi Lungi will be missed more than we can express. Our dear friends at the Cat Clinic have a framed print with cat proverbs and years ago we smiled as we read one that said, “When a black cat chooses your home, good luck will follow.” Without luck and a bit of magic, we’re not sure Monkeywhale ever would have happened and so we offer a Monkeywhale salute to Baffi Lungi for all he has brought to our lives. We vow to uphold his principles of relaxation, snacking and greater awareness of black cat issues as we venture forth into a world that seems a little less bright today.
July 8, 2009 at 1:22 pm
very sweet. my condolences.
July 8, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Having myself lost two longtime feline housemates in recent years, I know some of the pain you’re going through. But cats are proof that love is never wasted. My best wishes.
July 8, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Baffi will be missed. Our thoughts are with you in this dark time.
July 8, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Doug, Barclay, OSKR and I all send our deepest sympathies and head rubs all around.
July 8, 2009 at 5:25 pm
My heart hurts at the loss of Baffi. He was a wonderful guy and will be greatly missed. Em and I are proud to have had the opportunity to know him.
Praying for you guys.
Much love,
Justin
July 8, 2009 at 7:22 pm
what a touching, fitting tribute to one fine cat…
im so sorry:(
July 9, 2009 at 9:14 am
Thanks so much to everyone for all your kind thoughts and comments. They have made us smile and chuckle through our not so grown-up tears. Baffi liked to keep a low profile and would have likely been inclined to (gently) bite my hand for even posting this, but we knew his friends and admirers ran deep.
July 9, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. Baffi was a cat of striking carriage and personality — silkily elegant, always dignified, and brimful of secret cat wisdom. I feel lucky to have made his acquaintance, and was thrilled by our occasional porch and sidewalk encounters.
I’m a major cat-lover (and of black cats in particular); having lost a dear feline friend, Tricky, just two years ago, I know the experience is not unlike having a bomb go off in your heart.
Nothing seems to help but time. Rest assured, though, that while Baffi has shed his physical shell, his spirit will remain where he’s loved, in the soul of Monkeywhale and with you both.
You’re in my thoughts –
Sara Jane
July 10, 2009 at 11:33 am
Pitter patter of tear drops. So sorry, but there’s a lot of good company up there in animal heaven on my side of the family.
Erin, Maureen, go say hi to the new guest.
July 11, 2009 at 8:27 am
What a sweet send-off. I also have a fold of animal friends on the other side, whom I’m certain will share their dank catnip with Baffi as he arrives…
All my best, guys. xo.
July 11, 2009 at 10:07 am
Jessica and I were fortunate enough to meet Baffi only a week ago as we took an evening neighborhood stroll (aka cat tour). Baffi stepped out to the sidewalk to greet us and roll over on his back to show us his tummy. We didn’t realize, at the time, that he was your cat. I asked him where he lived and he kept muttering something about Baffi’s Kitchen. hmm… We’re really sorry for your loss. Our kitties, Kaufman, Harper and Griffin send their condolences too.
July 13, 2009 at 4:42 pm
will send money soon. this is a sad time for America.