Andrew Robin Franklin

Abe Franklin's eulogy, by Andy Mom asked me to add to my eulogy some of the remarks that I made at their golden anniversary party – so here they are: Mom and Dad gave us a dream and a hope. Their life together had never been easy or simple; their love and their caring has sustained them, and their children. And, to a degree, their love has helped us all feel the strength and support that only true love can bring to 2 people. Their fullness of life is all about us. Mom and Dad’s life together was a symbol for what we all live for: caring, happiness together, love everlasting, devotion, loyalty, hard work, and the strength to live in a world of changes that seem too much for many others to live in. Their love conquered depression, recessions, and concessions. Their love survived 3 major wars. Their love witnessed the modern airplanes 1st flight for peace and commerce, then for war and defense, for faith explorations, and now for special delivery and Fed Ex. The meaning of things seems to have changed: typewriters have become computers and weapons; but the love that brought 2 people to a golden anniversary. It is timeless – it is forever – it is the same now as it was in the days of David and Bethsheba. Mom and Dad’s golden anniversary was history living among us – it was an inspiration and a ‘remembrance of things past…’ Mom and Dad have done all this for all of us - I thank you for this gift and we all thank you and bless you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ My dad was quite a guy: a warrior among warriors – a moderate among quarellers. Dad was a living example of a man aware of his human link to all Human beings – recognizing each person’s “specialness” – and treating each person differently – and so he was blessed with so many people around him, who recognized his ‘specialness’ who generally cared for him and about him. At the U.J.A. at Eden Isles, and in his family, there was no one he touched who did not want to touch him back. There were so many calls… There was so much love for Dad among so many people he left behind in N.Y.C. Dad was so proud he gave his legal and professional life to serving the needs of Israel’s survival and growth. He gave himself totally to others, personally and professionally. He was the most giving person I ever met. Your life Dad has been a song of praise, of worship and wonderment for all of natures gifts. Small wonders like the beauty of a flower becoming a fruit. (the thrill of my garden); big wonders – like Grand Canyon or the Israeli conquest of the desert – held equal value to you – a man absorbed in and amazed about nature’s processes. So glad to be alive…so glad to be part of the universe. He was comfortable with change and development ….so aware. Amazed at all the progress since he was born in NYC in 1907; air and space travel, Isreal’s birth…the atom and computers. “Dad had a historical perspective about alife. Man, and society , past throuogh certain stages - and necessarily so, and he knew death was at the end of man’s stages, and historical cycles repeated themselves … “He was surprised at first that his time had come, but quickly accepted the natural end of life as he knew it. He disliked- no hated losing control over his body - and he said “my insides are turned inside out and I don’t know my body anymore” – but he never lost his control over his mind, his thinking, or planning for the next event of the day. “Dad just wanted the facts, and couldn’t get the sudden end. They underestimated Dad’s desire to pass quickley7, without much pain but with much dignity. Dad fooled them, and some of us. He was always in control from the beginning till the end of his personal life. He died as he lived, stoic- in control – with manners and respect for others – and very simply. “Life is going to be very difficult for his friends and family without Dad. He gave us all we needed; for me he was always there to talk and thrash out ideas and problems and plans. For Roberta he gave support, love, encouragement and strength. For Bonnie, Dad gave much warmth, support, faith, example and advice. Dad loved all his children’s spouses and achievement’s/ Dad/ss grandchildren were his legacy and his greatest hope. I hope I’m not alone in hearing Dad’s voice and reason inside me, and a part of me still communicating with my – because that’s one of Dad’s gifts to all of us. Mom lost a wonderful man – her jackpot – as she called it when she met Dad. Mom often said “the luckiest day in my life is when I met Dad”. “and I know the saddest day in her life is when she lost Dad. No one can deny her how sad a day it is. It is not our last day. And dad so giving, so practical, so logical, so reasonable, and so frugal – would want Mom and all of us to face the days of his death and funeral with sadness and honor, dignity, and also with hope – that we may find in the meaning of his life and his death - that our time has not yet come, that we must still live profitable lives, and that we may dedicate our lives to the best of his memory”.