CHARLOTTESVILLE – Chris Dembitz was “Phony Bennett,” the Virginia alumnus who created and ran the wildly well-liked “If Tony Tweeted” parody Twitter account. However there was nothing faux about Dembitz, a 1995 UVa graduate who died Tuesday on the age of 49 after a two-year battle with most cancers.
Mr. Dembitz, the daddy of two daughters, despatched his remaining tweet on April 7. It was as actual as ever, concurrently stuffed with coronary heart and heartbreaking.
“Heading residence from UVa after what was meant to be a 3-hour go to was a three-week lengthy keep, full with 4 blood transfusions, a slightly uncomfortable feeding tube, and care from a number of the finest nurses and medical doctors on this planet,” it learn.
Mr. Dembitz ended the tweet with a “nonetheless knocking” hashtag, a reference to one in every of Tony Bennett’s mantras – to “maintain knocking” till the door to success opens.
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Lower than a month later, Mr. Dembitz’s spouse – whom he married in February – logged on to the account to share the information of his passing.
As Chris’s spouse, it is a put up I by no means needed to make. I’m devastated as Chris left us early yesterday morning. He fought most cancers bravely, with humor, and with the whole lot he had. He had an immense love for UVa and the Hoos. Your reminiscence and light-weight will shine eternally, my love. pic.twitter.com/VBo7X11bAO
— Phony Bennett (@IfTonyTweeted) May 3, 2023
“As Chris’s spouse, it is a put up I by no means needed to make. I’m devastated as Chris left us early (Tuesday) morning. He fought most cancers bravely, with humor, and with the whole lot he had. He had an immense love for UVa and the Hoos. Your reminiscence and light-weight will shine eternally, my love.”
Dembitz
Mr. Dembitz, who was born in Los Angeles however raised in Virginia Seashore, launched his account, which had 24,500 followers as of Wednesday afternoon, anonymously in 2011, after his daughter was born and identified with most cancers. He referred to as the social media website a type of remedy, but in addition tirelessly promoted fundraisers for pediatric most cancers care and analysis by means of his account.
A former photographer for the Virginia pupil newspaper who labored briefly as a slapstick comedian after faculty, Mr. Dembitz artfully blended humor and a uniquely-Virginian sports activities cynicism in a method that caught the eye of everybody from fellow followers to coaches and sports activities media personalities.
Tony Bennett’s spouse and daughter have been each amongst his followers. When information of his loss of life broke, former Virginia Tech coach and present ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg tweeted, “My ideas and prayers exit to the household and associates of my man @IfTonyTweeted. He introduced a group collectively and did (it) in a method only a few may. RIP Chris.”
Whitelaw Reid lined Virginia athletics for the Charlottesville Each day Progress when Mr. Dembitz began his account.
“He was form of a cheerleader, however on the similar time not a cheerleader,” stated Reid, who now works for the college. “It was an fascinating dichotomy. He straddled the road between being an obsessive fan and being a realist.”
Mr. Dembitz revealed his identification in a 2018 interview with Reid for an article in UVA In the present day.
The precise Tony Bennett, Virginia’s basketball coach since 2009, was touring Wednesday however launched an announcement, fittingly, on the crew’s Twitter account.
“We’re deeply saddened by the lack of Chris Dembitz [also known as] Phony Bennett. He had an awesome ardour for our basketball program and the College of Virginia. He was a loving husband and father. He fought a brave battle with most cancers in the best way we knew he would – with energy, humility, and naturally, humor. Our ideas and prayers are along with his household,” Bennett stated.
On Dec. 6, 2021, Mr. Dembitz introduced on Twitter that he had been identified with most cancers a month earlier, and that he would require surgical procedure and different therapies. He shared the information in a 2 minute, 19 second video the place he referred to as his battle with the illness “the most important problem I’ve ever confronted.”
Mr. Dembitz shared all of the steps of his most cancers “journey,” as he referred to it, along with his followers. When he started a medical trial for a therapy at UVa in February, he tweeted, “Repping the reminiscence of Dalton Fox, a younger Wahoo basketball fan who was taken by most cancers far too quickly,” sharing a photograph of himself within the hospital alongside one in every of him with Fox.
Then, Wednesday, his sister, Tara Dembitz-Reed tweeted, “Chris misplaced his battle with most cancers early Tuesday morning. … Hold his mom, ladies, and spouse in your ideas.”
Pictures from the UVa males’s basketball season
Virginia’s Jayden Gardner (1) shoots the ball over Virgiina’s Tech’s Justyn Mutts (25) on Wednesday night time. Gardner had 12 factors. Mutts had 10 factors.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Members of the Virginia baseball crew take selfies with Steph Curry in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport between Virginia and Virginia Tech in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Tech’s Grant Basile (left) and Virginia’s Ryan Dunn (proper) struggle for a rebound in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
Virginia Tech’s Darius Maddox (left) tries to defends Virginia’s Reece Beekman in the course of the second half in Charlottesville on Jan. 18.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia college students cheer in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in opposition to Virginia Tech in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (left) celebrates after a basket in opposition to Virginia Tech in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia college students cheer in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in opposition to Virginia Tech in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) shoots a 3 level shot in opposition to Virginia Tech in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Ryan Dunn (13) appears to be like to go the ball in opposition to Virginia Tech in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) makes a basket over Virginia Tech’s Grant Basile (21) in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia makes a basket over Virginia Tech in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Members of the Virginia dance crew sing “The Good Ol’ Track” after an NCAA faculty basketball sport win over Virginia Tech in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Jayden Gardner (1) shoots the ball over Virgiina’s Tech’s Justyn Mutts (25) in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Tech’s Grant Basile (left) and Virginia’s Ryan Dunn (proper) struggle for a rebound in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (left) celebrates after a basket in opposition to Virginia Tech in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Ben Vander Plas (5) shoots a basket over Virginia Tech’s Hunter Cattoor (0) in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) shoots a 3 level shot in opposition to Virginia Tech in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023.
Virginia’s Kihei Clark, proper, is defended by North Carolina’s Seth Trimble, left, in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photograph/Mike Kropf)
Virginia’s Isaac McKneely (11) shoots a 3-pointer in opposition to North Carolina. He scored 11 within the Cavaliers’ 65-58 victory. (AP Photograph/Mike Kropf)
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) drives with the ball in opposition to North Carolina in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Ben Vander Plas (5) shoots a 3 pointer in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s dance crew performs in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in opposition to North Carolina in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (proper) is defended by Seth Trimble (left) of North Carolina in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) watches the ball as North Carolina’s RJ Davis (4) brings it up the court docket in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) passes the ball in opposition to North Carolina in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Isaac McKneely (11) shoots a 3 pointer in opposition to North Carolina in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) shoots a basket whereas North Carolina’s Rechon “Leaky” Black (1) tries to defend in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
Virginia’s Ben Vander Plas dunks the ball in opposition to North Carolina in the course of the second half of Tuesday’s sport at John Paul Jones Enviornment.
Virginia head coach Tony Bennett speaks to his gamers in the course of the second half of Tuesday’s sport in opposition to North Carolina at John Paul Jones Enviornment.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) tries for a layup in opposition to North Carolina in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
Virginia’s Armaan Franklin, proper, goes up for a shot in opposition to North Carolina in the course of the second half of Tuesday’s sport at John Paul Jones Enviornment.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Jayden Gardner (1) shoots a free throw in opposition to North Carolina in the course of the first half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia and North Carolina tipoff firstly of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS North Carolina’s Donovan Johnson (14) and D’Marco Dunn (11) assist Jalen Washington (13) up after a play in opposition to Virginia in the course of the first half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Reece Beekman (2) defends the ball in opposition to North Carolina in the course of the first half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS North Carolina’s Jalen Washington (middle) tries to shoo the ball in opposition to Virginia in the course of the first half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis gestures to his crew in the course of the first half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in opposition to Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS North Carolina’s Caleb Love (2) celebrates in the course of the first half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in opposition to Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
Virginia’s Ben Vander Plas (5) shoots subsequent to Albany’s Jonathan Beagle (15) in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (AP Photograph/Mike Kropf)
UVa’s Ryan Dunn drives by means of Albany’s Jonathan Beagle in Charlottesville. Dunn and the host Cavaliers ended their nonconference schedule with a victory.
Virginia’s Kihei Clark was met with resistance from Albany’s Malik Edmead within the second half. Clark scored 8 factors and added 10 assists within the win.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Ryan Dunn (13) is boxed out in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in opposition to Albany in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Armaan Franklin (4) shoots the ball in opposition to Albany in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Ben Vander Plas (5) is boxed out in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in opposition to Albany in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) drives with the ball in opposition to Albany in the course of the second half of Wednesday’s sport at John Paul Jones Enviornment.
Virginia head coach Tony Bennett speaks to Kihei Clark in the course of the second half of Wednesday’s sport in opposition to Albany at John Paul Jones Enviornment.
Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) drives with the ball in opposition to Albany in the course of the second half of Wednesday’s sport at John Paul Jones Enviornment.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Armaan Franklin (4) shoots the ball in opposition to Albany in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Ryan Dunn (13) drives with the ball in opposition to Albany in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Kihei Clark (0) laughs on the bench in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in opposition to Albany in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Ben Vander Plas (5) shoots the ball in opposition to Albany in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) celebrates after a basket in opposition to Albany in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) drives to the basket in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in opposition to Albany in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Jayden Gardner (1) wins the tip in opposition to Albany in the course of the first half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.
Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) appears to be like to shoot in opposition to Florida State in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photograph/Mike Kropf)
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia’s Kihei Clark (0) thinks a few shot in opposition to Florida State in the course of the second half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Virginia’s Kadin Shedrick (21) and Florida State’s Cam’ron Fletcher struggle for the ballduring the primary half of an NCAA faculty basketball sport in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photograph/Mike Kropf)
