Campbell Fayfar met Chuck Dooley at the annual West Suburban Gay Association ( WSGA ) dinner dance in 2005and nine years later, they are still together.
Faybar joined the WSGA during the spring of 2004 "because they were in the burbs and I wanted to cultivate gay friendships," he said. "Needless to say, it has been a pleasant ride for me."
In high school and college, Fayfar worked in the florist industry. He even was part-owner of Jonlee Flowers in Aurora in the 1970s.
In 1974, he shifted into the funeral business to become an embalmer and a funeral directorand stayed in that industry until he retired in 2011.
"I worked for a large, family-owned firm in Chicago, which had several locations from North Dearborn Street to [suburban] Oak Lawn," Fayfar said. "I always enjoyed helping families in their hardest times. Some of the families were very well known names in Chicago."
Fayfar is the past president of the DuPage County Funeral Directors.
Fayfar also has for years served on the board of directors of the Miss Illinois Pageant, and he attended the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey many times.
"I was in a relationship for 21 years with John Campbell. We met though the Lincoln Park Lagooners Bowling League in 1982," Fayfar said.
Campbell died in November, 2003.
Manny Rivera, president of the WSGA, said Fayfar and Dooley are "an integral part of the group" as they often help set up events and work the refreshment stands at most of the parties.
"I could not have a successful event without [Fayfar's] input and involvement," Rivera said. "Also, he is just fun to be around, high energy and outspoken."
Fayfar and Rivera met in in 2003 through the WSGA, when Fayfar came to the group as a way to reintroduce himself into the social gay scene, Rivera said.
"In a very short time he became part of my circle friends," Rivera added.
THE STATS
Age: 65
Residence: He Has lived in Montgomery, Illinois, since 1991. Before that, he lived in Naperville, Chicago and Hinsdale. He was born and raised in Aurora.
Schooling: Attended Northern Illinois University and Worsham College of Mortuary Science
Cubs or White Sox?: Cubs
Preferred drink at a bar: Margaritas at El Jardine
Little-known fact: Is a volunteer usher at the Paramount Theater in Aurora