A lifelong Youngstown resident and prolific artist, Chris Yambar garnered many accolades in his lifetime.

Now, one day before he would have turned 60, friends, family, and the community gather in his memory on what the city is officially deeming Chris Yambar Day.

"HE WAS BOLD, HE WAS A POP ARTIST. EVERYTHING HAD TO BE LIKE POW, HIT YOU IN THE FACE," Deb Cattoi, Yambar's manager.

Many took time to share their favorite Chris Yambar stories.

"I REMEMBER HIM CALLING ME ON THE PHONE AND SAYING, 'HEY TERRY, TERRY, TERRY,' I GO WHAT? HE SAID, 'I JUST HUNG UP ON DISNEY.' THE OFFER THEY MADE DIDN'T SUFFICE WHAT HE WANTED," said Yambar's friend and musician Terry McCabe

While an eclectic artist to many, his wife Maureen McCabe said he was full of empathy and a deep thinker.

"HE IS EMBEDDED IN HIS ARTWORK AND HE WILL LIVE THROUGH THAT ARTWORK BUT SOME OF THE ARTWORK ISN'T JUST FUN IT MAKES YOU THINK. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT ASPECT OF WHO HE WAS. HE WAS A VERY DEEP PERSON." said  McCabe.

Yambar himself even planned his own memorial event.

"HE USED TO SAY HE PUT THE FUN IN FUNERAL, AND HE'S PROVEN THAT AGAIN TODAY BECAUSE THESE WERE ALL HIS PLANS."

His plans, bringing droves of people in to show support, indicative of his lasting impact on the city.

"HE'D REALLY BE TOUCHED. ON THE OUTSIDE HE'D BE ACTING AS HE DESERVED IT. BUT ON THE INSIDE, HE'D JUST BE REALLY, REALLY TOUCHED."