When the book of life closed this Yom Kippur, g-d decided that my father should not have to suffer any longer. I am profoundly sad, sad beyond words that my father won't share the joys that the future will bring. I am sad for the pain that my mother, my sister, my family and all who knew him feel with his loss. Yet right now I am also very gladdened for the joi d'vie he taught and shared.

My father could find humor in every situation - he found humor in sharing a bed with his brothers and Maxi's snoring; in the bedlam of his Mother's dinner table with everyone eating and talking at the same time. He was the first to break up serious moments with a drole comment or joke. He even tried to use his wit when tried to explain to my mother when they were dating why he did not call. You see her phone number ended in 1492 and he told her he got confused and kept dialing 1812.

My father personified self-sacrifice and generosity. He would literally take the shirt off his back for someone in need, and would always shun acknowledgement. This went beyond picking up a dinner tab or keeping extra nickels in his pockets for mischievous nephews. I remember one time after playing ping-pong when Yale won big; he came up and made me promise not to Yale that he let him win. He did not pursue medical school to work in the family business. For me the most profound demonstration of this trait was during his military service. He was very proud to have served as an army medic. He was decorated many times for taking risk over and over to save others. For my father this was not just his duty, it was his way of being. The recent movie "Saving Private Ryan" was a walk in the park compared with the experiences my father shared. Just last week he still talked about his military service and how much he still thought about the people he served with and those he tried to save.

My father loved and showed his love unabashedly. Even recently when he was so weakened, he was openly affectionate toward my mother, taking her hand or simply telling her how nice she looked. In his mind, she was always the beautiful bride atop the wedding cake. My father clearly loved his immediate and extended family with all his heart. He never differentiated between brother and brother-in-law, his family or her family, son and son-in-law, or mother and mother-in-law. He loved all his siblings, but I can tell you that he did have his favorites -- he was especially fond of his sisters. My mother has said that this was because he was the last bachelor brother, and his sisters spoiled him. His nieces were always princesses and his nephews, despite their years, education, business prowess, or accomplishments were always "boys".

There are many images of my Dad that I have I have to keep - him leading our Passover Seder, with his fishing gear, figure skating, fressing over cubchunka, or smoking a stogie. One last image I will keep is of him from just a week ago Sunday as he sat outside watching his grandsons Michael and David by the swimming pool as my mother and I prepared holiday dinner.

My mother, my sister and I are consoled and warmed by all of you being here and showing your love and support. My father would have been very touched, and a little embarrassed by the fuss. Thank you. Many of you have told me to ask if there is anything you can do - well there is. Later, when we all sit down to lunch, please order a cheese-danish on my Dad, he would have wanted that.

I felt very special to have Morris as my father not only was he my daddy he was my close friend as well. He loved to figure skate and we spent many fun filled hours on the ice working on different moves. As I learned new moves, his hand was always there to keep me secure on my skates in case I fell. He also taught me how to drive and because of his teaching I passed my driving test the first time out. My father also loved to sew. He was a particularly good at repairs, and hemming pants and skirts. He did such good work, you could hardly see the stitches.

He made sure that there was no topic that we could not discuss. He always wanted to know all about my day-to-day activities. Some people would feel uncomfortable talking to their father, but he always said that because he had so many sisters there was nothing we could not talk about.

Lastly, I belive my father always had "the right stuff".

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