This week Anne and I were at a Memorial Service held at the prestigious University Club for Jimmy Rosenwald who passed away from cancer complications at the age of 82.
Jimmy was among many roles, the father of our close friend Jamie Rosenwald and Anne and I deeply desired to attend in support of the family, joining with our son Kyle and daughter in law Diane and several other people who made the 6,000 mile round trip from California.
And what we found was not so much of a Memorial Service but a celebration of life.
Jimmy choreographed the entire service to make it a joyous occasion including a comedy routine from Jamie's sister Jill that had us all laughing. There was singing and warm commentaries and Jamie read a personal letter from Anne's and my 13 year old grandson Keoni.
Afterward Jamie generously gave me the original copy of Keoni's letter which I now have in safe keeping.
One of the elements that got my attention was the size of the turnout. Jimmy was not a famous man and was long retired, yet his Memorial Service drew 200 to 300 attendees. It was the standing room only turnout he had hoped for, and they were family and long-time friends, and neighbors and people from his industry, in which he was highly respected and genuinely liked.
After the Service, we all convened in the adjoining room, in which there was extensive finger food and an open bar, just as Jimmy wanted (as always I drank only water). There we shared stories but something else happened as well.
Among the many attendees were some of the investors in Kyle's and Jamie's real estate partnerships including the latest one in Atlanta (Buckhead).
Also present was the chief accountant for all their partnerships and the man who located some of the properties (Jamie's wife Laura's brother) in the Georgia partnerships including the latest one in Buckhead that Kyle negotiated.
It was a wonderful time to meet or to renew old relationships on a very cordial basis.
Although it turned into an informal business session for people who have invested a lot of money we all had in common our respect for Jimmy and for Jamie and the Rosenwald family and we paid our respects to his widow Mimi, a beautiful person.
That so many people attended the Memorial Service spoke of all the people Jimmy had friendships with or mentored or did other things to bring joy into their lives.
By how he lived his life he set an excellent example as to how we might all live our lives lovingly and in service to others.
Dick
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