Friends and family, thank you for being here today as we say goodbye to our Dad. As many of you know, he was a truly special man to anyone who met him. We were all incredibly blessed to have had him for 94 years — 94 years of laughter, guidance, and unwavering love. Moving forward without him will not be easy. He has been a constant in all of our lives, and his absence will be felt immeasurably.

Dad was fortunate to have lived such a long life, most of it active, vibrant, and fully engaged. He was dancing and driving until very
recently — which tells you everything about his spirit. His family and his friendships kept him going. All of you helped make his life as long
and full as it was by keeping him included, connected, and loved.

After my mother-in-law, Marilyn, passed away, Ike came into his life at exactly the moment he needed companionship and warmth again. He
used to tell Lester, "Figure me for a year," and then Ike came into his world. She stepped into that space with grace, affection, and stability,
and she brought joy back into his days.
Dancing had always been a joy he shared with Marilyn, and to have a new dance partner brought light back into his world. Cruising, playing
cards several times a week, sharing dinners, listening to the news, debating politics — these things gave him purpose. Though his view
of today's world troubled him deeply, it wasn't for himself. It was because he worried for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He
would often say he was relieved he wouldn't have to live through this era, but he wondered often about what the world would be like for
them. But it wasn't just the activities that mattered. It was the simple things — watching TV with Ike beside him, sharing a meal, feeling
companionship at the end of the day. He was a caretaker by nature.

He loved cooking dinner, preparing their pills at night, and taking care of her in the small, consistent ways that make a relationship meaningful. In our nightly phone calls, we'd ask him what he made for dinner, and he'd always end the description with: "I'll tell you — it was
delicious." His cooking skills were homed in the Army, and when he came home,
he was fully prepared to help his woman in the kitchen.

Dad was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He opened car doors, held umbrellas, never raised his voice, and never disrespected
anyone. He had a rare ability to sit, listen, and offer wisdom without ever telling you what to do. He was life-smart — an observer of the
world, a man who learned to live in peace with the things he couldn't control. He would tell Lester, "We're not going to fix all the problems.
It's not a perfect world — and the only perfect people are in the ground." And now, tragically, he takes his perfection with him.
Lester gave so much to him — from working alongside him in their business to giving his parents the freedom to travel, see the world,
and enjoy their lives. Whether they were visiting Europe, touring Israel, or cruising the seas, Dad soaked in every moment. His mind
stayed sharp up until the very end.  Discussions about history, politics, and Brooklyn family and business stories, were possibilities for
conversation.
Family meant everything to him. From his two children came seven grandchildren — each different, each loved deeply. Nicole and Michael blessed him with his first two great-granddaughters, Riley and Dylan, always referring to them as the little ladies. He lit up at the thought of them. Nikki called him twice a day, every day — conversations that built a bond they will never forget. Becoming "GG" was a title he wore with enormous pride.
Allison and Justin added another great-granddaughter, Mia — only three years old, but already full of memories with him. Though she
won't have as many years with him as the others did, we will make sure she never forgets him. Through stories, photos, and the love she
already associates with "Great Grandpa and Ike", his presence will live on for her. He was so happy to attend Allison and Justin's wedding,
and it meant the world to him to see his granddaughters find partners who truly loved them. Kasey and David will bring another great-grandchild into the world.
Though he did not get to meet her baby, we know he was thrilled for Kasey and David when Remy became a part of their family.  We
believe he will be watching with Marilyn and Rita, sending blessings from above. He used to tease David endlessly about proposing — and
when he finally did, Dad was thrilled she chose well. The boys — Brandon and Kristen, Garrett and Rachel, Doug and Bia — meant so much to him, too. He always asked them about their lives, their jobs, their futures. Hearing that they were thriving filled him with relief and pride. And Jason — the teacher in the family — shared a special bond with him through their long talks about history, politics, and the Holocaust.

Dad had a unique relationship with each grandchild, and each one will feel his loss in a different way. Dad's nieces, Irene and Karen, and their husbands were also incredibly special to him. Their frequent phone calls and check-ins made him feel connected to his sister, Marcia, whose memory he cherished deeply. He could always count on Steve and Irene to help him navigate health questions, and he trusted their guidance. Whether it was going out for meals when Steve and Irene came in, or spending time together during visits with Karen and Bruce, those moments kept him updated on their families and brought him comfort and joy. His nieces Wendy and Rene were reminders of Marilyn. They too kept
in contact with him after she passed.  Dad often spoke about how special each of you were, and he felt that
love profoundly. Your care, your presence, and your consistency meant more to him than you may ever fully realize. He carried your love with him, and it enriched his life. Through Ike, his family grew even larger. He often spoke about how welcomed he felt by her family — how meaningful it was to be included in holidays, dinners, and special occasions. Tara's weekly visits with Preston brought them joy, chaos, and entertainment that broke up the quiet days. His relationships that he formed with Ike's children and their families were important to him. Your warmth toward him — all of you — made his later years richer and happier.

To his friends at Palm Isle: The Yiddish club, the card games, the dinners, the dancing — these were not just hobbies. They were lifelines.
He loved having the opportunity to speak Yiddish with whomever still remembered his first language. Sharing jokes, stories, and expressions that are fading from the world. Telling off color jokes with a twinkle in his eye and a sly smile on his lips. You all gave him community, stimulation, and friendship. How lucky he was to share life with all of you — and how lucky you were to know such a fine man. And Ike —
Let me end with you. You were a blessing to him, and he was a blessing to you. You could not have found a kinder, more generous, more respectful, more affectionate man. I would watch him kiss you on the cheek simply because you were there. His love for you will stay
with you long after today. Thank you for loving him, for caring for him, and for giving him such a beautiful final chapter. The last seven years
were brighter because of you.
I'm sorry for the length of this, but a man of his character deserves nothing less. Thank you all for being here today, for honoring him, and for sharing these last moments before he joins Marilyn — where their dance begins again. Goodbye Dad, you will forever be in all our hearts.

Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America - https://www.jwv.org/give/donate/donate-one-time/

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Alzheimer's Foundation of America - 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001