I’ve been dreading writing this post.

I mentioned previously my Uncle Michael, my father’s best friend.

Michael wasn’t drafted – he had already earned his Associate’s degree and was working during the day and going to Brooklyn College full time in the evenings, studying to be an oenologist.  He worked a bit for Monarch Wine Company, testing wines for sugar and alcohol content.   

FUN FACT:  You may not recognize the name Monarch, but everyone is familiar with Manischewitz wines, which was licensed by Monarch in 1934.  Post Prohibition, Monarch was keen to market wine with a name already recognized and trusted by many Jewish people.  They produced the wine in picturesque Industry City in the Sunset Park neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Michael and my Aunt Roz were married in February 1966. They had practically parallel lives to my mom and Mickey. Both moved to NJ and had two kids, an older son and younger daughter.  Even though my mom was remarried to my stepfather, I always thought of my uncle as kind of my second dad, since he was the closest person after my mom to have known my father.  I thought being around him was what it was like to be with my dad.  I remember going to a Yankee game with him and my mom when I was young – the only professional sports event I had ever attended. I know my dad liked baseball, and for this reason it’s always been my preferred sport to watch, as a way to be close to him somehow. (Also, it is extremely slow and easy to follow.)

Tragically, Michael passed away suddenly on March 6, 1991. It’s been thirty years that he’s been gone and I still remember exactly what I was doing and where I was at the time. I was in high school and in my bedroom at home. My best friend came over to comfort me and I cried so hard.

It was like losing my dad all over again.