Here is the email I sent to everyone at the station:
As you probably know my little brother, Derek Oliverio, died from smoke inhalation in a house fire about 4 months ago. He was the most driven, confident, bull-headed, and hard working person I have ever known. At 24, he single-handedly started Sup Dogs Bar and Grill in Greenville, NC (home of East Carolina University). When he passed away at 27, it was one of the most popular/successful restaurants at the University and in the entire city. In fact, the weeks leading up to his death he was meeting with attorneys, real estate agents, etc. drafting up plans to open up new locations in other cities. It really is unreal what he was able to accomplish in such a short time.
After months of thinking, I have decided to leave the radio business and put all of my energy into our family business with the purpose of carrying on Derek's legacy. My goal is to make Sup Dogs as big as Derek envisioned. This is something that I want to do not only for Derek, but for my family and myself. In two weeks, my wife and I will be moving to Greenville to learn EVERYTHING about the restaurant business with the hopes of expansion in the future. I know this is a personal risk and won't come easy, but I believe with a ton of hard work and support from family and friends, that is something we can accomplish.
Working for WJFK has been a dream job since I started with the Junkies part-time in 1999. I grew up listening to the station and can remember driving slowly by the Fairfax studio hoping to get a glimpse of the DJ's through the square window. Working for such a cool radio station and radio show really has been the highlight of my life. I have loved every single day at WJFK and The Fan.
I just want to say a few words about CK and The Junkies since I have worked with these guys since I was 18. CK's passion for the radio station and CBS Radio as a whole is remarkable and something I have always looked up to. He does the job of 6 people (probably more) and makes it look easy. Our station and company are incredibly LUCKY to have someone so intelligent and devoted. He is also a very good person and has been totally supportive of me personally and professionally.
Eric, Cakes, JP, Jason are like family and have provided me a career which I have loved. I have literally laughed out loud every single day at work since 1999. Not many people can say that. It's the BEST show on the radio- not even close. On a personal level, they have been incredibly kind, generous, and loyal to me over the last 12+ years. I consider them like big brothers. I am very fortunate to have been so close to all four and their amazing families. I will truly miss spending everyday with these guys.
I could go on and on, but I will stop now. Thank you to everyone for your support- I will miss every single one of you. My last day will be February 3.
Bret
As you probably know my little brother, Derek Oliverio, died from smoke inhalation in a house fire about 4 months ago. He was the most driven, confident, bull-headed, and hard working person I have ever known. At 24, he single-handedly started Sup Dogs Bar and Grill in Greenville, NC (home of East Carolina University). When he passed away at 27, it was one of the most popular/successful restaurants at the University and in the entire city. In fact, the weeks leading up to his death he was meeting with attorneys, real estate agents, etc. drafting up plans to open up new locations in other cities. It really is unreal what he was able to accomplish in such a short time.
After months of thinking, I have decided to leave the radio business and put all of my energy into our family business with the purpose of carrying on Derek's legacy. My goal is to make Sup Dogs as big as Derek envisioned. This is something that I want to do not only for Derek, but for my family and myself. In two weeks, my wife and I will be moving to Greenville to learn EVERYTHING about the restaurant business with the hopes of expansion in the future. I know this is a personal risk and won't come easy, but I believe with a ton of hard work and support from family and friends, that is something we can accomplish.
Working for WJFK has been a dream job since I started with the Junkies part-time in 1999. I grew up listening to the station and can remember driving slowly by the Fairfax studio hoping to get a glimpse of the DJ's through the square window. Working for such a cool radio station and radio show really has been the highlight of my life. I have loved every single day at WJFK and The Fan.
I just want to say a few words about CK and The Junkies since I have worked with these guys since I was 18. CK's passion for the radio station and CBS Radio as a whole is remarkable and something I have always looked up to. He does the job of 6 people (probably more) and makes it look easy. Our station and company are incredibly LUCKY to have someone so intelligent and devoted. He is also a very good person and has been totally supportive of me personally and professionally.
Eric, Cakes, JP, Jason are like family and have provided me a career which I have loved. I have literally laughed out loud every single day at work since 1999. Not many people can say that. It's the BEST show on the radio- not even close. On a personal level, they have been incredibly kind, generous, and loyal to me over the last 12+ years. I consider them like big brothers. I am very fortunate to have been so close to all four and their amazing families. I will truly miss spending everyday with these guys.
I could go on and on, but I will stop now. Thank you to everyone for your support- I will miss every single one of you. My last day will be February 3.
Bret
Hope you have more success than the last radio guy to enter the restaurant business...
ReplyDeleteAs a new fan of Cocktails and an ECU alumna since 2006, I am excited for you to come to Greenville and embrace the Pirate nation. I am saddened by your brother's loss, but find it very sincere and thoughtful that you and your wife are going to carry on his legacy. I haven't been able to go back to Greenville in a few years, but I will most definitely check out Sup Dogs when I do.
ReplyDelete