29 Comments
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David Roberts's avatar

This was the opposite of insufficient. By the end of your tribute, I was mourning someone I knew only through your words.

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Charles Komanoff's avatar

Thank you for this. You did him proud.

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Gordon Strause's avatar

This was not "insufficient." He came fully alive to someone who never knew him. Thank you for sharing this.

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Gerard Terry's avatar

Ross, just wonderful. Perfect. May his memory be always for a blessing.

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Nick Fabry's avatar

I am sorry, and mourn for your loss.

What you wrote in tribute, of course, was insufficient - it had to be, because you can never encompass everything about someone you love in words. But nonetheless, it was magnificent.

In few months, you will start to take some pleasure from the times your dad saw you as a fully fledged adult, from his admiration of your character and writing and your young-found wisdom. He got to see you fully grow up, and that must have brought him inordinate pleasure. In time, you will find your memories of him bring you joy again, rather than a muffled sense of sadness.

Keep writing down the memories. There may be a time when your young ones will want to know more about the enigmatic grandfather in the photos on the wall - and it is surprising how much we forget with time.

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Joe Thornhill's avatar

Very sorry for your loss, Ross.

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Bruce Jacobson's avatar

A beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing him with us.

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Matt C's avatar

Well done.

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Jason's avatar

Sorry for your loss, Ross. You were so fortunate to have such a great dad in your life. Well done.

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Tom's avatar

Beautiful tribute -- sorry for your loss.

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Tom Watson's avatar

A life well lived by an extraordinary person. Sorry for your loss, and thankful for this post.

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Blair Davis's avatar

I'm truly sorry for your loss.

From your lovely tribute, I think you'd both appreciate this quote.

The secret source of humor is not joy but sorrow; there is no humor in heaven.

Mark Twain

Wishing you the best.

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Raf Noboa y Rivera's avatar

this was not insufficient. this was inspired. this is a hell of a eulogy, you’re a hell of a writer, and your dad was a mensch. my condolences to you, and may his memory be a blessing for you.

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Douglas Marolla's avatar

A wonderful and peaceful walk through your father's life.

That he made it through the late 70's Mets, and the "Steve Henderson trade", the one that sent Seaver to Cincinnati, was testament enough to this man's fortitude.

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Wylie Goodman's avatar

What a beautiful evocation of your father — a man whose life was clearly well lived and whose love of you was deeply felt.

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Evan Marc Katz's avatar

This is so beautiful, Ross. As a fellow New York Jew who loves baseball, literature and politics, and lost his own Dad 25 years ago, your words speak to me deeply. I want to give you a hug and let you know you’re lucky to have had a man like that in your life. Thanks for sharing.

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