Uncle Emil was not only my uncle, my godfather and a man I looked to as a father, but he was a gentleman and my hero.

He served in WWII in England and France for three years before attending Pratt Institute and moving to New York City to open up a graphic art business. He was so talented with his art and with his interpretation of life.

After returning from the war, Uncle had plans of getting married, but his love from home had married someone else while he was overseas. He vowed never to have his heart broken again and committed his life caring for others.

Uncle would backpack across Europe with no plans made, breathing in the landscape and culture of each city he visited. He always brought with him his sketch book and today, we still flip through and treasure all of the works he completed.

He took special care of my children on their ski trips to Vermont, avidly taking the slopes by storm until he was 80-years-old. We still speak of those ski trip memories today.

He lived with my grandmother all through her life and took care of her. I was fortunate to live with both him and my grandmother up until the day she passed away. He would travel every day into the city from Long Island and come home late at night, but he always had time to speak with me about my day.

Uncle remained in the house until he realized it was a bit too much to care for. I worked with him to secure an apartment in the same building as my mother (his sister). Not only were they siblings but they were best friends. He loved this apartment and made it his own with his creative touches. He shared that he felt liberated having a space of his own—this was always a dream of his.

Uncle loved Frank Sinatra and his favorite song was “I Did It My Way”. That is the way he lived his life. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He truly cared and loved his family and loved us as if we were his own children.

Uncle turned 97 on May 8th, 2018 and passed away on May 13th, 2018 due to an unfortunate fall. People say when a person you love passes away it leaves a hole in your heart, but when I think of my uncle, my heart is so much fuller.