In Memory

Richard James

Richard died an accidental death in the early 1970's.  I remember him as one of the funniest people around, couldn't help but smile to his wisecracking.  I recall that he would get on the early morning Q17A bus on the way to school, and his sense  of humor was a better wake up call than any cup of coffee in getting one's day started.

We would play our version of Fresh Meadows Poker on weekend nights with "the guys" (and you all still know who you are!), and that was in lieu of having anything better to do.  I guess we eventually learned, huh?

Richard was a fun guy, and has been missed by many. 

Ted Feigelman



 
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01/09/15 12:21 PM #1    

David Feen

Richard was my first "best friend".  Our mothers were pregnant together and when we were born they used to go to Horn & Hardart, park our carriages outside the window facing the Meadows Theater, and go inside and have lunch while keeping an eye on us through the window.  Times were different then.  Richard and I were in kindergarten together at P.S.179 but remained friends when my family moved a few blocks and I went to P.S.26. As we got older Richard was a regular in our poker games with Stu Weissman, Ted Feigelman, Stan Fine, Warren Soiffer and Steven Wolf.  We had our ups and downs but that early connection remained.  

I remember when I first learned of his death. He was 30 years old. I was staying at my parents house while they were in California,  picked up the phone and was greeted by someone who was calling to inform my parents of his death.  This was my first experience with the passing of a friend and someone my age, and though we hadn't been close for many years before his death, the news hit me hard.

I will always remember Richard fondly.  His parents Anne and Paul (whom I referred to as Aunt and Uncle) were, of course, hit very hard by his death and were never the same. Over the years I had occassional contact with them as well as his younger sister Lauren.  Whenever I pass Peck Avenue (where they lived) as I drive east on the LIE I think of all of them.  

David R. Feen


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