My grandfather died Tuesday at age 92. Zadie, as all of his grandchildren affectionately called him, was and is a huge influence on my character and personality. He was a hero. I miss him and feel very lucky to have had him in my life for the first 37 years.
I delivered the following remembrance at the funeral ceremony honoring him at Beth El in Highland Park, his synagogue for more than 50 years.
Zadie was a very special person to all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And growing up it was easy to see that he wasn’t just any ordinary Zadie. His warmth and loyalty affected everyone around him, friends, family, community and strangers.
Emily and I were very lucky to grow up just a mile from Bubbie and Zadie’s house on Brittany Road in Highland Park. We were never too far from Zadie’s playful nature — his infectious smile and that laugh… oh yeah that famous Zadie chuckle. Even when we were limited to playing games of “roll the ball” in the living room with Zadie — that was enough.
Continue reading “Jerry Sternberg: June 19, 1920 – July 3, 2012”
