Here is my eulogy:
What do you say about the
kindest man ever created? A man defined
by his big smile and twinkling blue eyes.
There is so much to say. He was a
loving father and caring grandfather always concerned and interested in our
lives. He had an incredible work ethic
and never complained. He gave to charity
after charity – particularly those that supported women. He was a prolific reader, a Civil War buff
and an expert on British history. He
loved music, Gilbert & Sullivan, playing pinochle and decadent desserts. He was an exemplary husband whose love and
respect for my mother was always apparent in everything he said and did.
I have been so incredibly
blessed to have Irwin Lawrence Mann as my father, my dad. His is the kindest soul. The sweetest, most generous, hard-working,
caring and witty, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Elie Wiesel once said, “Life
is not made of years, but of moments.”
It is all too true that dad fought so hard thru all of his sicknesses and
until the very end because he wanted to spend every moment life gave him
with the love of his life – his amazing Doris.
She was his rock, his “beautiful wife,” his best friend.
Many
of you were at the send-off party for my brother, now Brigadier General Michael
Mann, (ooh, my father was so proud of him!) – when he went to Afghanistan -
which coincided with Dad's 80th birthday. My mother spoke about how fortunate she has
been with the men in her life. Especially,
her husband. We have all been so blessed
to have Irwin Mann in our lives.
Dad’s kindness radiated and
he could always brighten your day. When
we were kids, he would wake us up with, “Rise and Shine!” and send us off to
school or work with a promising, “Good-bye and good-luck!” He would welcome his shoe store customers with
an enthusiastic, “Afternoo-oon!” And, we would all smile at hearing his always
cheerful voice greeting us on the phone with an exuberant, “Hello from Eastchester!”
No one had a more keen wit
and he loved to tease. He had so many
silly nicknames for us. And, although my
dad left the joke telling to my mom, he could deliver a great line.
My father was very fond of
offering advice – and one of my favorite lessons was to “make lemonade out of
lemons,” -- to find the good in
situations, people, work, and day-to-day living – which he practiced every day. And, though I fought it as a kid, I now I
understand the wisdom of his advice, “put on a hat!”
My oldest and fondest memories
are of my nursery school years and driving with my dad to Tiny Town. What fun
we would have. We would sing, our
favorites – “K-K-K Katie,” “She’ll be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” “I’ve Been Working
on the Railroad.” And we would discuss our favorite colors – mine always
changing and his always blue. I never
wanted to leave my dad and he would have to give me a gentle nudge into the
arms of the awaiting teachers. Over the course of two years, there were so many
legendary Tiny Town stories…A favorite was about how I insisted on only peanut
butter sandwiches for lunch, but then tried the hot lunch on the very last day
– spaghetti and meatballs – and loved it.
He often would retell these stories and I would love hearing them.
Dad studied to be an
accountant, but ended up bringing his bright spirit and unmatched work ethic to
his shoe stores – Corner Shoe Outlet and Step n’ Style. He worked 6 long days a week. But he was
always there for us, doing the big family food shop on Sunday mornings, making
our school lunches, braiding my hair, quizzing us on our school work, and helping
my sister Bev and I care for our guppies and cat fish, Sniffy. Sniffy even got to share in our Friday night
Shabbat chicken dinners, dad using his thumb nail to mash up a tender morsel of
chicken just for Sniffy.
Dad was an attentive and
loving grandpa. Mom and I love
remembering how he danced with, toddler Amanda
to “Beauty & the Beast.” How she
curtsied in front of him as he took her hand for the waltz. And with Jakey, Dad
always was quick to ask how he was doing in hockey and soccer – and for both
grandkids, a constant interest in their school work. And, he loved Rob from the moment he met him
and welcomed him into our family with open arms – with Rob’s powerful bear hugs
often eliciting a compulsory, “Oy!”
I recently learned that Judaism
has a long tradition of angelology – which does not subscribe to the notion of
angels with wings, halos and flowing robes.
Jewish tradition teaches that angels are spiritual entities created by
God to perform a task – to protect, praise, or rescue. My dad, Irwin Lawrence, was and is our angel
– always protecting, praising, showing us the meaning of gratitude and always
with us, in our hearts, minds and souls.
I think of dad:
Every
time I wrap a gift - he was the expert
When
I stir my ice cream into a thick creamy soup
When
someone says, "Make lemonade out of lemons!"
When
I sink my teeth into a black & white cookie or chocolate éclair
When
I read Dickens – especially “Great Expectations”
When
I hear the song or reference to “Tipperary” or any Gilbert & Sullivan song
When
I’m awake. When I’m sleeping.
I
think of dad, Every Day and FOREVER.
