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!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
From David and Pamela Dembe
May he rest in peace. I loved the man, the personification of grace, entirely apart from "proof by erasure" and a dozen other bons mots.
We are lucky when such a man comes into our lives.
From Jon Tilton
Dear Rita,
I am saddened to hear of the passing of your father, Max.
My condolences to you, and the rest of the family. I have bumped into Greta over the years, but being in Florida now I don't see anyone. My fondest memories of your father are for the years I spent at Camp Kadimah and I also had your father for Senior math at BHS.
He was such a gentleman, and a wonderful teacher. I breezed through my freshman math course because your father had prepared me so well. Take comfort in all the warm memories everyone had of your father he touched many lives in a positive way.
Very truly yours,
Jon Tilton
I am saddened to hear of the passing of your father, Max.
My condolences to you, and the rest of the family. I have bumped into Greta over the years, but being in Florida now I don't see anyone. My fondest memories of your father are for the years I spent at Camp Kadimah and I also had your father for Senior math at BHS.
He was such a gentleman, and a wonderful teacher. I breezed through my freshman math course because your father had prepared me so well. Take comfort in all the warm memories everyone had of your father he touched many lives in a positive way.
Very truly yours,
Jon Tilton
From Evey
Dear Rita, Greta and Ruth,
What a man, y/our Max Lourie! So beloved and warm and witty! He was our teacher, our counselor, our friend!
Our man at 90 on the Bayonne tennis courts!
And what a couple--Ruth and Max--timeless for eternity!!
We all were so lucky to have Max in our lives--he set the bar high, but quietly with dignity. Somehow we all knew he had expectations for us and we should live up to them.
Your family shared him with us from the time we were 'tweens' through high school and evermore, and we were all blessed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the family!!
With much love,
Evey
What a man, y/our Max Lourie! So beloved and warm and witty! He was our teacher, our counselor, our friend!
Our man at 90 on the Bayonne tennis courts!
And what a couple--Ruth and Max--timeless for eternity!!
We all were so lucky to have Max in our lives--he set the bar high, but quietly with dignity. Somehow we all knew he had expectations for us and we should live up to them.
Your family shared him with us from the time we were 'tweens' through high school and evermore, and we were all blessed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and all of the family!!
With much love,
Evey
From Ellen Lee Bullock
Dear Rita,
Your very special Dad took me thru all those years of CampKadimah, "the center" years and years.... and so many of theinuendos that have shaped the person I am today. Truly your Dad Max was "one of a kind" - and I was fortunate enough to have special memories of Max Lourie. Please extend condolences to your Mom Ruth and to your sister Gretta.For you.... a Dad...and for me - a special human being that "made the difference in my world".
-Thinking of you all even though I am far away.
Love from,
Ellen Lee Bullock
Your very special Dad took me thru all those years of CampKadimah, "the center" years and years.... and so many of theinuendos that have shaped the person I am today. Truly your Dad Max was "one of a kind" - and I was fortunate enough to have special memories of Max Lourie. Please extend condolences to your Mom Ruth and to your sister Gretta.For you.... a Dad...and for me - a special human being that "made the difference in my world".
-Thinking of you all even though I am far away.
Love from,
Ellen Lee Bullock
From Steve & Debbie Shanker
Rita,
Please accept our sympathies on the loss of your father. I remember him well having had him as my freshman algebra teacher. He was a wonderful teacher and role model. One thing that sticks out inmy mind after all these years was class on the morning of May 5,1961. You dad realized how important it was for us to be aware ofthings happening outside of the classroom and allowed us to listen toour transistor radios as Alan Shepard blasted off. While there weremany things we learned in school and rarely, if ever used again, yourDad's algebra teachings have stuck with me thru the years as I use itjust about every day here at work.
Please share this with Greta. It's been many years since I've seen you, as, as you can see, I too left Bayonne, but return afew times a year to visit the folks.
Again, our thoughts are with you,
Steve & Debbie Shanker
Please accept our sympathies on the loss of your father. I remember him well having had him as my freshman algebra teacher. He was a wonderful teacher and role model. One thing that sticks out inmy mind after all these years was class on the morning of May 5,1961. You dad realized how important it was for us to be aware ofthings happening outside of the classroom and allowed us to listen toour transistor radios as Alan Shepard blasted off. While there weremany things we learned in school and rarely, if ever used again, yourDad's algebra teachings have stuck with me thru the years as I use itjust about every day here at work.
Please share this with Greta. It's been many years since I've seen you, as, as you can see, I too left Bayonne, but return afew times a year to visit the folks.
Again, our thoughts are with you,
Steve & Debbie Shanker
From Renee Cherow
Dear Rita:
My heart is broken on hearing the loss of Max. If there are a few pillars holding up the world (as in the story of lamedvovniks), he was one of those people. His gift for laughter, his energy, his love of children and his work with all of us through the years has left an immeasurable imprint on all of us. Max will forever be associated with Bayonne, with a generation that so benefited from his wisdom and his example.
Consolation to you, Greta, and Ruth. May his memory be for a blessing.
Lots of love,
Renee (Cherow)
My heart is broken on hearing the loss of Max. If there are a few pillars holding up the world (as in the story of lamedvovniks), he was one of those people. His gift for laughter, his energy, his love of children and his work with all of us through the years has left an immeasurable imprint on all of us. Max will forever be associated with Bayonne, with a generation that so benefited from his wisdom and his example.
Consolation to you, Greta, and Ruth. May his memory be for a blessing.
Lots of love,
Renee (Cherow)
From Marjorie Buchanan
Rita,
I am so sorry to hear of your father’s death, and send you my deepest sympathy. It was wonderful to learn that your whole family was together, and please know that my thoughts are with each of you. Your family life has always been an inspiration, and I know that it is this that provides some measure of comfort. I will keep you in my heart and send you huge hugs,
Marjorie
I am so sorry to hear of your father’s death, and send you my deepest sympathy. It was wonderful to learn that your whole family was together, and please know that my thoughts are with each of you. Your family life has always been an inspiration, and I know that it is this that provides some measure of comfort. I will keep you in my heart and send you huge hugs,
Marjorie
From Michael Tobin
I was greatly saddened to hear of the death of your father and as I am sure you know he was truly a beloved man and will be missed by everyone with whom he came in contact. He was truly a significant figure in the lives of many generations of young people in Bayonne and I know that we were all better for having him in our lives.
Michael Tobin
Michael Tobin
From Sandy Probasco
Dear Rita, Ruth, and Greta,
I just learned about the sad news regarding Max. He definitely was one of a kind. He was wonderful to us at the Center during our Tween years and when we saw him in school. I never had the good fortune of having Max for a math teacher; however, everytime I saw him at school, he always gave me a wonderful greeting. I just had to remember to call him Mr. Lourie at BHS. I will never forget his 90th birthday party at the tennis courts in Bayonne. He was a warm, wonderful, human being and seemed to love life and engulf it. He will be surely missesd by all.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the funeral but know that my thoughts are with all of you.
Love,
Sandy
I just learned about the sad news regarding Max. He definitely was one of a kind. He was wonderful to us at the Center during our Tween years and when we saw him in school. I never had the good fortune of having Max for a math teacher; however, everytime I saw him at school, he always gave me a wonderful greeting. I just had to remember to call him Mr. Lourie at BHS. I will never forget his 90th birthday party at the tennis courts in Bayonne. He was a warm, wonderful, human being and seemed to love life and engulf it. He will be surely missesd by all.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the funeral but know that my thoughts are with all of you.
Love,
Sandy
Sarah Galena's Beautiful Eulogy from 6/26 Funeral
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 NY Times 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!
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!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
From Ellen Drogin Silverman
To the Lourie Family,
The class of 1958 will forever hold fond memories of Max as will all of us he guided at the center.
What a wonderful man who touched so many and helped mold us for adulthood.
Max Lourie - teacher, mentor, friend - how fully blessed he and we all were.
Fondly,
Ellen Drogin Silverman
The class of 1958 will forever hold fond memories of Max as will all of us he guided at the center.
What a wonderful man who touched so many and helped mold us for adulthood.
Max Lourie - teacher, mentor, friend - how fully blessed he and we all were.
Fondly,
Ellen Drogin Silverman
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