The Jack Grossberg Project

December 30, 2001

Uncle Jack – I hope you will be happy in your heart. I wish you didn’t die. And you gave us too many presents. That’s all. I love you. Bye, Ryan

Dear Uncle Jack – Thank you for all the toys. You didn’t need to buy that many presents because we knew that you loved us. I wish you lived longer because you were so nice to us and I love you very much. From Kevin.

Uncle Jack,

Perhaps because you have always been there, or because you always new the right thing to say, or perhaps because you were larger than life, I thought this day would never come. I took comfort in your presence, steady as a rock, prepared to give anything and everything at a moment’s notice. And not just to me, but to your parents, brother and sisters (especially Sylvia who loved you dearly), to Michael, to the many nieces, nephews and friends who knew you as Uncle Jack.

Although I have a wonderful father, you have been a second father to me all the days of my life. There were countless times that I came to you for help and advice on a personal level, regarding school and later, in business. You made the time, you were never too busy to listen.

You knew that children, boys, especially boys need strong male role models to identify with and to look up to. They need to learn the lessons of life, how to be with people, how to deal with their emotions of happiness, anger, joy, frustration. They need to experience success, learn motivation and tenacity. They need street smarts. They need to learn how to be good sons and nephews, brothers, dads and friends. To be kind to those whose paths we come across. They need to learn about compassion and respect of others, self-esteem and a positive attitude. They need to figure out what they want and how to get it. They need to learn how to think their way out of a jam, to not lose their composure, and to never, never give up. They need to understand the importance of grace, of dignity, of honor. And especially, they, we need to learn the importance of humor. To make people laugh. To make yourself laugh and to not take yourself too seriously. By example, you taught me all this and more.

You made an important impact not just on my life, but on the lives of Kevin and Ryan and your many other nieces and nephews. One thing that really stands out in my mind when I think of you is that you meant so much to so many people. The lives and families and children who were fortunate to have known you considered you their friend, their uncle, their confidant. Even those who merely met you were attracted to you, to who you are, to what you are all about. (Jack’s nurse Elizabeth took time out of her day to be here to be here. Thank you Beth.)

What I want to say is that there is a quality about you, Uncle Jack, that is rarely seen. You are a great guy. Each of us is blessed to have had you in our lives.