Who is The Chief from Nine Stories and what is their importance?

The Chief is the nickname given to John Gedsudski, who is employed by several New York City parents to entertain their boys after school and on holidays. The Chief drives a bus, in which he transports the boys to Central Park, where they play sports on nice days and visit museums on rainy days. He is described as a well-built, stocky young man, who is very popular with the boys. His creativity, in addition to his installments of the "Laughing Man", keep the boys engaged and silent as they listen intently.