My father was born on July 29, 1943 and passed away today, Sunday July 5, 2009.
He grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts and attended the New England Conservatory of Music and Emerson College. He was an auxiliary percussionist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the early or mid 1960s. While there, he met the daughter of one of the orchestra’s bass violinists, wooed her, married her, and with, had me and my sister.
Following his musical career, he went to work at WGBH, the Boston-area PBS station. He worked his way up to producer, and then moved to New York to work for the networks and, eventually, HBO. He and some colleagues went on to form The Entertainment Channel. He moved from there to Interactive Television, then switched gears and moved into the executive recruiting world in NY’s public relations world where he worked for the rest of his life.
My father was a smart man. His mind was sharp, and this acute intelligence manifested itself many ways. He was good with a limerick or a really bad pun. He was able to divine common-sense solutions to life’s conundrums at-will. Like all of us, he had his successes and failures in business, but he was able to build and sustain his own business for the last 15 years.
My father had a very big heart. He was always there when I needed him, and wouldn’t hesitate a moment to drop everything and come to my aid when I needed it. And he did so numerous times over the past 35 years, mostly during times where I was unexpectedly hospitalized. While he took pride in his own accomplishments, he was clearly proudest of the successes of both me and my sister. He would rave to me about how wonderful it was when my sister did such-and-such.
My father loved a lot of people. He never stopped loving my mother. He loved his second wife. He loved very much the woman he spent most of the last 10 years with. His second wife preceded him in death, but his heart would be warmed to know his other two great loves will be with him, and together with his family, this week as we memorialize him.
My father loved classical music. It resided deeply in his soul. There are so many pieces he loved, but right now, Mahler’s 2nd, The Resurrection, plays in my mind for him. Its climax was, possibly, the most moving musical passage my father ever experienced. He would play it at deafening volumes in the car, (sometimes with me in it).
My father loved movies, especially action films and suspenseful dramas, and he loved reading books — thousands of them, but mostly contemporary fiction and espionage/thriller novels.
My father loved his pets, Brandy, Molly, Tory, and Cody. He even loved my cats, and asked about them often.
My father loved life, and he was lucky, for many and much in life loved him back.
I will miss him every day.
I’ve “known” Arnie for several years on political discussion forums. Arnie was a riot.
As a staunch conservative, we really pounded on each other. But at some point, we always ended up having a good laugh about it all. He was a kind, sensitive, caring man.
I wish you and your family peace. He lives on in all of you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I knew Arnie on a Delphi forum and he was always kind to me. Your words about your father are very touching and moved me. It made me wish I could have said the same about my own father.
I wish you and your family peace and love during this difficult time. Know that your father was known by and cared about farther than you can even imagine.
Take care.
Arnie was a mensch. 23 years ago, while working with Elaine Goldman, he helped place me in a firm that I remained in for 22.5 years. In the fourth quarter of 2008, when it was time for me to move on, he counseled me at no charge as to my options and pushed me towards opening my own firm. I followed his advice and have a young but thriving business. His humanity and integrity were tops; he will be sorely missed.
Henry Feintuch
President
Feintuch Communications
I knew and worked with Arnie as a recruiter, counselor and friend for the past 15 years. In an industry noted for its frauds and phonies, Arnie was the real deal. He always had time for you; always gave you another way to look at a problem or opportunity; and always left you with a smile after a lunch at “his” table at whatever restaurant he had adopted (or that adopted him). Smart, creative and caring, Arnie was — above all — full of integrity, both professionally and personally. I will miss him sorely.
Roy R. Bumsted
Arnie and I worked for the Southern Command Network in the Panama Canal Zone 40 years ago. We had great fun in the military broadcasting arena, but I know each of us was anxious to get on with our careers once we separated from the Army. To the family: my deepest sympathy for your loss. I loved Arnie’s humor, his professionalism and his friendship.
I forgot to sign my note above.
Dave Cohen/San Diego
I am so sorry for your loss. It came as a shock to me when I heard that Arnie passed away. I worked as his receptionist and assistant for 5 years and I only wish my other employers to come will be as easy to work for as he made it for me. All Arnie ever wanted was that cup of coffee in the morning.
He will be missed.
Nereida Rivera (Nelly)
Jan and I became friends with Arnie and Phyllis when they shared their apartment with us in 1969 when Jan first joined me in Panama. Arnie and I were in the Army working at the Southern Command Network (SCN). Then we moved into an apartment in the same building and practically each evening would be together. We shared Phyllis’ mother and father when they came to visit, many meals together, and even some weekend picnics on the Panama Canal Causeway. Arnie taught me a great deal about directing television, especially music, which I used in one of my jobs. We had infrequent contact after returning from the Army, but I always felt a closeness because of the way Arnie and Phyllis opened their home to us and the time we spent together during our stay in Panama.
Randy and Jan Bretz
Lincoln, Nebraska