But, for the oldest living Assyrian man in California, with multiple aliases (Simba, the Mad Russian, Big Daddy War-Bucks, the Dominant Male, etc, etc), and his own fan club (starting with his acting career in the ‘40s in The Family and other San Francisco radio serials, to The Gents in high school) and continuing to the send-offs from his apartment and hospice), Dad achieved his goal.
His stories are legion, as are his life adventures. Think of fighting his way to the top as a short, dark-skinned, non-English speaking kindergarten student to becoming the President of George Washington High School, where he stole the race from a tall, blond, blue-eyed incumbent and our mom from the football team’s quarterback.
Remember his many capers—from releasing the bison in Golden Gate Park to commanding the helm of his Merchant Marine ship through the Panama Canal while the captain lay drunk, to other feats of unbridled machismo we must not speak of.
Consider his many travels—from wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti to his whirlwind trip through Europe, hiking Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, cruising Greece and Turkey, cycling through Tuscany, the Loire Valley, western Massachusetts, Washington, DC, etc.
He was a firebrand—an hysterically funny comedian, a fabulous singer, a steadfast and generous father and friend and a danger to any attractive woman. He was a notorious penny-pincher, a real estate mogul, a stock market player, a Fox News and TCM devotee and ever a kid at heart.
Dad has recreated himself through generations of family and a broad circle of friends and even strangers, who will never forget him and whose lives are decidedly more colorful and joyful because of his.
We expect he’ll be reconnecting to his mom, brother, Sam, Louise, Bert and Larry as soon as he gets to Heaven. Knowing him, he’ll probably show up early. We’ll dedicate every hot tub and every shish kebab, Mother’s oatmeal raisin cookie, strawberry and sticky bun we eat to him.
Godspeed and all our love to our dear Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, dear Gil.
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