Ceiling damage stops the music

CHAMPION — Frank Fordeley stood with an insurance agent, looking at the pianos, organs and other musical instruments in his Mahoning Avenue business — covered with water and pieces of ceiling tile.

“This is my bread and butter. This is my livelihood,” he said, coming close to tears.

When he opened Fordeley Music and Instrument Repair on Wednesday morning, he noticed that some water spots had developed in the store, apparently the result of too much snow on the roof.

Throughout the day, dozens of pieces of ceiling tile fell, leaving damaged items everywhere. By afternoon, he was getting visits from his insurance agent and roofing contractors, trying to find answers. For now, he doesn’t have many. He canceled his music lessons for Wednesday, but he has no idea how long the business will be out of commission.