In most grandparent to grandchild relationships, it is the grandfather that talks about how amazing there grandchildren are but with our grandfather, Pop Pop Max, the pride went both ways. To think we had a grandfather who was so well rounded, so well lived, A passionate sports encyclopedia, A Tom Wolf expert, An active and outspoken Jewish Community Center leader, A High School teacher legend, A proud Babe Ruth witness, A World Traveler. an ecstatic Tennis player, fanatic, scout, An opinionated, intelligent NYTimes commentator, A beloved Teen Tour leader . And most importantly a person who personified what it means to be "Always Ethical" and "Always Grateful", no matter what. Max was a man who always gave the warmest and sincerest thank yous whether it be his best friend, or a bus driver. Any time we went out to dinner, the waitresses would fall in love with him, his gentility and graciousness were contagious and he always left the restaurant with a new “Max Lourie” fan.
I recall a conversation that happened a couple of years ago between all of his grandchildren. My cousin Suzanne said, “Pop pop is one of the coolest people” and we all felt exactly the same way, He accomplished so much in his life and we all just felt so blessed and lucky that we got to have him as Our grandfather!! That he was ours!
I remember receiving a birthday card from Pop Pop when I was turning 11 and on the card, after all the many exes and os symbolizing hugs an kisses, there was a small note explaining why eleven was such an amazing number; eleven is the same digit twice as well as a prime number. I have received a birthday card from my grandparents every year, but this is the one I remember the most vividly because it encapsulated the essence of my grandfather, love, humor, education, and passion.
Pop Pop Max had such passion for Mathematics and for everything he did. Sports was a huge part of my grandfathers life. Many of my memories of my grandfather were of him watching tennis matches on his tv or talking about a great athlete. He and my grandmother traveled all over the world to watch tennis matches.
When you think about my grandfather, one must also think about Bayonne, NJ. To me these 2 things were one in the same. Max was a pillar in the Bayonne community. Any time we meet someone from Bayonne they always tell us how much Max impacted there lives. He loved Bayonne and I don’t think the city would have been the same if he had lived somewhere else.
But above all, Family was always the most important part of my grandfather’s life. His 2 daughters Rita and Greta, and his beautiful wife, our grandmother, Ruth, along with the 6 grandchildren were everything to him. We were lucky to be with him the day he passed away, a daughter on each side. But above all the love my grandfather had for my grandmother was unbreakable. My grandparents dated for 7 years before they got married because my grandfather thought he had a weak heart and he did not want to leave my grandmother a young widow. After 7 years of dating and 63 years of marriage, they were still so in love with each other and showed so much affection for each other even up until the last moments where my grandfather kissed my grandmother and told her "I love you". That will be an image I remember for the rest of my life.
When sitting with my grandfather in the hospital, I asked him if he had any words of wisdom for me and he said "live life" 2 simple words that encompass all of what Max Lourie and his life represented. Max was a doer and everything he committed to, he committed to wholeheartedly.
When my own father died 3 years ago, One of the hardest parts was knowing that when I did have children that they would miss the opportunity of having the type of grandfather that I had in Pop pop Max. Pop pop you were the best grandfather in the world, you loved with every bone in your body and you expressed your love through so many different actions. You were our biggest cheerleaders and supporters. We will miss you so much and you will always be in our hearts. As you would have said, you can take that to the bank!
