I have come to learn that your service in ww2 was marked with courage in brutal circumstances. It marked you deeply and I now know why you kept silent about it.  Soldiers carry battle forever. It explains much.

The things I gave you a few water color paintings by Massa. A huge book on the Himalayas. A fine folding knife.

At home, you liked the news and I sought your company.

You were a tireless provider. During one of our disagreements, I stopped and thanked you for all the work you had done for the family.

You loved your work, your cars, your Nikon, the house, the trips with mom. Your customers grew to become friends who you savored.

I gave you Barney when he was young not long after you had given him to me. The two of you had formed a deep, beautiful bond . You were his and he was yours .

Your loving friendship transcended words and was the best part of you.

Though you sold for a living, I saw your most profound happiness in the silence of your photography, loving Barney, driving your cars and truck, traveling with mom, discovering a new restaurant.

I was always sad that you didn’t ask me this one question:
“ who are you, why do you do what you do, what do you value, and what is your life’s vision.

That would have opened wonderful doors for us.

I hope you are at peace, loved and loving well and with mom, Murphy, other loved ones and walking in a heavenly field with Barney.

Mike

Sol, some of my fondest and best memories start at the age of 2 when our families met. What a great friendship and bond was formed over something as simple as a garage door. Even though distance and years kept our families apart, I always cherished the thought that you and Bernice were there and when I was able to travel to NY, the first place I could go was to your wonderful embrace. Sol and his stories, Bernice insisting we eat!  In later years, you welcomed my husband and children not only into your home but into your heart as well. They all love you as I do. Rest in peace my 'other dad', NY will never be the same. You will always be living in my heart. 
Donna 
P.S. The Eagle has Landed :-)

It isn't easy to lose a friend, especially one with such integrity, honesty and ethics.  Sol was a natural born salesman and I'm sure that every one of his customers benefitted in many more ways than just buying stuff from him.  In fact I'm sure that sooner or later G-D will be purchasing some rock salt for a place where it never snows.  Miss ya..  Love, alan

Carole,
I have so many fond memories of your father.  I remember coming to your home and hearing Sol's usual warm greeting, “Pah-ooh-lah, how are you?”  He did not just let me into the house, but into his heart and made me part of his family.   I remember his strong political views and his passion for the beauty of photography, nature, and music.  In many ways you are like your father, and that is a wonderful way to be.

Sol had a joke or a story for everyone he met.  His warmth and humor was a magnet that attracted everyone to him.  He was a human light bulb who brightened the lives of his family, friends, and strangers.  Carole, I am so sorry for your loss.  Sol's passing is sad, but his life will always be measured by the pure joy he gave to all of us.

I MET SOL AT A MEETING OF PROGRESSIVE PEOPLE IN BROOKLYN. HE WAS FUNNY AND THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE POLITICAL ISSUES OF THE TIME. I ASKED HIM TO COME HOME AND MEET MY SISTER BERNICE. THE REST IS HISTORY. THE MEMORIES REMAIN.

DAD !  I wrote a special entry and it did not post!  Hang in there, we're working on it! xoxoxox  Carole

We would like to extend our condolences to you and your family during this most difficult time.

I love you Sol very much. I always felt you were my grandfather who I could lean on and trust. You will always be in my prayers and heart. Thank you for everything, your kindness, love and gentle spirit. God Bless you, I love you both Sol and Bernice.

may the prayers and condolences of your  friends and neighbors bring comfort and solace to your family.  with love,

lydia, cheryl and samantha

Sol, you are truly missed here, as you move on. Your creativity, humor and perspective on life and people often provided me a sense of peace to 'reset', and focus on friends and family. My kids and I greatly valued your friendship. The short stories and conversations you shared, poems, post cards, harmonica tunes, and various famous 'impressions'. I am smiling right now - keep them honest and laughing up there. Dave Elmore

Dear Dad, my loving and ever faithful Father, to whom I owe so much,

It is with great difficulty that I write this piece for you.  You were so wonderful to me, until the very very end.  It was common for us to be alone together this last year, and that is when I truly got to savor the marvelous human being you are.  In print since your passing, the thoughts and memories of those who TRULY and REALLY cared about and loved you shine through.  I know you always knew who was there for you in friendship and in family, and I was always proud of you for your honesty in that area. You were stoic, so very stoic, while facing a decades-long angst that ensued because of a void in your life.  I am so proud to say that so many people have observed, and wrote about, the wonderful closeness that you and I shared.  Dad, you were so funny, patient, kind, honorable, trustworthy, intelligent, intellectual, talented and more.  Much more.  I will cherish the last audible words you ever spoke to me, "Alan" and "Dustin".  You were able to put aside in life that which bothered you the most, and enjoy what you had.  And you had so much.  My childhood was often almost Utopian, as you bestowed upon me the knowledge and ability to savor and enjoy that which you relished in as well.  Thank you for the vacations, the trips to the zoo (especially when I was old enough to drive you there, and you bought me that gorilla toy!!) the incessant little gifts you put at "my spot" at the kitchen table, the dogs you brought home, the joy you showed when I dragged my friends to your house for you and Mom to share with me, and the insane support you gave about Dustin being raised bilingually. Thank you for caring for and about him.  Thank you for being funny.  Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to hear from others, before and after your passing, how wonderful a person you are.  My friend Leslie came to you when you were very ill and we know she "gave you" a little while more, through her magic.  Your favorite question to me was always "How are your friends?", and you named them, especially Paula, Leslie, and Donna, and their families, Bobby and both Howies.  Your favorite domestic "hobby" was welcoming people to stay in your home, (Hirsh, Elmore, Pierce,  Aunts May and Mae., etc)  And even in those last days, you lit up when I talked about the Vekslers, poolside in Plainview, and the Fishers, the Barons and your nieces.  They loved you, Dad, and saw only the good in you, as you deserve.  How lucky I am to have shared those last visits with you and see you fight to the end.  BTW, I think the staff at the nursing home basically came to work every day to be entertained by you.  I have a lovely "historian" friend Debbie who is going to be writing a piece about you.  Your pal Dave Elmore is getting the mail you never got to send him, and Harry and I had a wonderful long talk about you.  Donna Falotico is heartbroken, and I heard from her girls.  Everyone mentions your love of that inimitable hound Barney, and how you made sure to keep up your friendships with your beloved neighbors, customers, mechanics, musical pals, "coffee buddies" and more.  Dad, I am taking good care of your photos.  And my memory of you.   

I love and miss you so much.  No nonsense, just real love.  

Your daughter, Carole

PS.... I hope you are wearing your hat.  And, write some letters....

BTW, are Murphy and Barney getting along???

All the light and love of God 
warm and brighten you 
now and forever.
Michael.

Be truly and forever at peace with God.
May all your questions be answered.
See your life joyously and well. 
Savor your long years and many good days. 
Celebrate who and what you loved.  

Michael

OBITUARY

Solomon Traster

I. J. Morris

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