Celebrations of Two Kinds

BY VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS

Thursday, November 19, 2009 11:55 AM EST

When my father passed away there were several speakers who eulogized him and celebrated his life, myself included. My friend Mark Lacher came to the funeral, though he had never met my dad. Afterward, he said, “I really felt like I knew your dad from what I heard.” That’s how I felt when I heard about the passing of an original resident of North Shore Towers, Louis Sukoff.

When I visited the Towers this weekend his widow, Charlotte, and long-time friend, renowned singer Connie Francis, were at Pouran’s Salon. It turns out that Lou had met the star when she was 17 and repeatedly attended her performances. That began what was to be a life-long friendship. She bluntly shared with me, while we sat together, that he had given her two lavish weddings and that Charlotte decorated every home she owned. The two had become her second mother and father and when her own parents died, they in fact played that role.

At his funeral people celebrated the man who left an impact on his family, friends and the world!

Lou, she explained, was a lion of man and king of the record industry, but in a little-known way. His family, which ran Imperial Paper Boxes, manufactured corrugated boxes and made board games. He was approached about creating a holder for the records because the people who cut the records found they were being smashed in the mail. With his know-how he invented what is the jacket cover we all take for granted, but in fact enabled the industry to ship worldwide.

His inventiveness was only a small part of his life. Connie said boldly that Lou lived according to the song lyrics “I’m going to live until I die” – and did he live! His wife of 68 years recalled with sadness in her eyes how his heart was big enough to love people with a passion, both friends and family.

I loved the story that they told me about his friendship with Tony Bennett when he was just starting out. Lou was wearing a rich camel coat and Tony admired it, saying, “When I’m successful I’d love to have one like that.” Lou took it off and gave it to him! Friends said it was typical of him.

At the age of 88 1/2, Lou truly personified that belief of living and giving. Like my dad, who passed at 86, I still wanted more of him. So does Charlotte. I hope she has the courage to have his memory bright enough to sustain her through these sad days of mourning.

On a different note of celebration, my dear friend Georgiana Reese invited loved ones to share her joyous wedding to Raymond Benatti. They are proof that life and love can return, as they both had been widowed. I felt the reception room at the Engineers Country Club was bursting with love. What a joy to feel that love enveloping the beautiful couple.