Wednesday, August 2, 2023
I met Ira as the landlord for my insurance agency in 1975, within a few hours be became my friend. His jokes ( many were hysterical, many more were absolutely terrible!) Ira was one of a kind.
The days he would play, like a kitten with a ball of yarn, with salespeople who came to his office to sell him cleaning products, or carpet for the office, or painting the building - it was like watch a master lead a student through a complicated dance only to see Ira buy something from them - so it wasn't just a game to him, he knew he was teaching them a lesson and then rewarding them at the end.
Ira's love for his sons, his sorrow when Michael died. Ira's stories, his "famous potato salad," his passion for his livelihood's and the even greater passion for his hobbies. Oh, and he loved selling things - it didn't matter what he was selling or on whose behalf he was selling something, his eyes lit up with glee! He loved the art of negotiation; if you were on the other side of the sale, you never really won, but you thought that you did.
Maria, I'm so sorry for your loss; I know that you will miss Ira, but I hope the memories of him and his loveable antics will help.
I have lost too many good friends over the last couple of years, but thinking of Ira doesn't make me sad - it brings a big smile to my face.
