Dr Abraham Caplivski

On Friday December 2 my family lost its most senior member Dr. Abraham Caplivski. Abe was not only a beloved husband, father, grandfather, father in law, uncle, cousin and friend to many but also the patriarch of our family. His death will leave a very large void in our lives that will be difficult to fill. He will be sorely missed. Fortunately, he has left us with many fond memories to last us through our lifetimes.

Abe was a self-made, very accomplished and successful cardiologist in the Ft. Lauderdale area. Born in Trujillo, Peru to Jewish immigrants from Bessarabia with few or no means who escaped persecution and sought a better life than the one they had in the depressed pre-holocaust Europe. He lost his father at age nine and was raised by his widowed mother Blima who peddled merchandise from door to door and ran back home to feed him. Blima was poor, lacked formal education but was savvy and resourceful. With her broken Spanish she was able to give Abe the means to become the valedictorian of his high school and recipient of his graduating class "gold medal" awarded to the top student. She supported him through his medical schooling where he met and married the love of his life Dr. Gertrudis Lamas, an accomplished pathologist on her own right. Abe and Gertrude trained at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic and finally settled in Florida where he became the first invasive cardiologist in Ft. Lauderdale. His career flourished, he took care of his mother until her death and with Gertrude raised their three beautiful children Daniel, Michael and David.

Many will agree that Abe had a colorful personality and was a renaissance man. He enjoyed playing and watching soccer, listened to all kinds of music, occasionally played the violin, was an accomplished dancer and enjoyed good food and wine. Although born to a family of immigrants his Peruvian roots were evident at first glance. He loved traveling the world but Lima was one of his main destinations. He loved the local scene and visiting with old friends. He was always aware of current events, local and distant, best seller books in Spanish and English, and the places to visit to have a good time. His environment was filled with music and books. One could talk to him about any subject, hear a sound opinion and, not infrequently, make one laugh while playing with words with more than one meaning. His home was where the family celebrated and he was the master of ceremonies no matter what the occasion.

Abe was very generous, he never forgot his roots and he was ready to help those who needed his assistance. He left us relatively early but in the time he was with us he accomplished and celebrated a lot. Four of his favorite musical pieces that will always remind me of him - the Spring portion of Vivaldi's "The four seasons", "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers (I don't remember ever seeing Abe gamble in a casino or playing cards but he liked the tempo and allegorical lyrics of the song), "El Rey" ("The King" in English, I don't remember the author...)and "I did it my way" by Frank Sinatra.

Dear Abe - I know you would much rather have us celebrate your life than mourn your death. Can't help the latter -we loved you too much. At the same time, I hope wherever your spirit is going to is an eternal Spring for you, that you are revered like a King and that you keep doing it your way. L'chaim!!