Monday, April 24, 2017
Eddie 'Poppy' Horwitz was truly one of those people for whom it can be said "they just don't make them like him anymore'. As his granddaughter Laura's friend, since we were eight years old, I have had the distinct privilege of hearing Poppy's stories and slightly off-color jokes for almost twenty four years! His resilience--- in the truest sense of the word-- has inspired and astounded me since I was a child. I remember when my own dear grandparents were alive (my Nana Anita was actually born in Long Island City the same year as Poppy) he would always make it a point to ask how they were doing. After they passed away, I warmed my heart that he remembered them so vividly. Poppy has such effortless compassion for other older people and yet I think he never really fully identified himself as being 'old'. His zest for life and interest in the world around him never dimmed even as he faced challenges with his health. In this regard I think it is appropriate to say "only the good die young". Recently, we realized that since my name is Susanna (my family sometimes calls me Susie) and my boyfriend goes by Eddie that I have something in common with this wonderful man and his beloved wife. All the love in my heart goes out to Poppy's loving family who gave so much to him and got so much more in return.
