2025 Life Logs, Day 140: A Dear Friend’s Funeral
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Weather: Partly Cloudy Day, Cooler; High Temp 55, Low 46 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue with My Shadow, Falmouth, MA
Heather and I drove to Concord, New Hampshire today for the funeral and burial of a dear friend, Alan Kanesgsberg. Alan was many things, but his quest of knowledge as a life long learner was central to his being. One of my favorite photos of him is sitting at his computer, one of the things we had in common.
Alan passed away on Saturday, was buried today, and the days of Shiva will begin tomorrow. Alan and Helaine were Concord Yacht Club friends with whom Mark and I formed a close friendship. Heather and Justin both knew them and today Heather shared a photo with Helaine from her wedding which brought back happy memories. Heather and Jed were married on a point of land in Booth Bay Harbor. The view of the harbor was beautiful. Prior to the wedding, everyone in attendance admired the view. But when Alan arrived, he took out his binoculars to watch an America’s Cup sailing practice in that beautiful harbor. The rest of us were oblivious as we were focused on the wedding. We were admiring the sailboats. Alan was watching the race. Then, just before the ceremony, Heather spotted Alan and ran over to borrow his binoculars to watch. The sight of a beautiful bride holding her flowers in one hand and binoculars in the other made quite a picture.
Alan led a successful and full life as a business entrepreneur, but in ‘retirement’, he became a business consultant and true mentor to many young people starting a business. Two of those successful business entrepreneurs spoke passionately today about what a difference Alan’s mentorship has made in their lives. Alan was a critical thinker and problem solver, no matter what role he was in. Everyone who knew him was always asking for his advice. He was a Rotary member for most of his adult life, missing only one meeting in over 30 years. When Alan and Helaine came to visit Mark and I in New Zealand, Alan insisted on finding a Rotary meeting no matter where we were. We spent six weeks in a rental car together, exploring the North and the South Islands, arranging our itinerary so Alan could get to those meetings. Only Alan would do that while on vacation!
Thankfully, Helaine will be surrounded by friends and family for the next week, so I will wait and visit her one day after everyone has gone home. Alan, we are going to miss you.
