My friend Larry Levisay (June 23, 1950 – August 17, 2011)

 

I could always count on Larry to be the first call on every holiday, birthday, and anniversary.  He was the first to remember every possible date.  But the calls from Larry didn’t stop there, Larry would call me every few weeks.  Usually the conversation was about the same things.  And usually from his hospital bed for some new ailment.

 

“Hey ugly, are you staying out of trouble?”, Larry said.  Then it was always, “Remember when we went to the moon together becasue we’d gotten in trouble together. That hasn’t happened in a long time.”  Sometimes, “Remember you getting sick at the DQ.” or “Remember getting sick passing out flyers.”  After reminiscing, he’d ask about my wife, Cara and the kids.  Then the looking forward, “We need to go bowling again. Remember when you was imitating Dilly at the bowling alley.”  Finally we’d discuss the upcoming or ongoing OSU football season and close with “Talk to you later brother.”

 

When I visited him in the hospital a few weeks before he passed, his every sentance would start, “Remember when…” but he’d lose track of where he was in thought.  So I started finishing his sentances for him.  We talked about “when we went to the moon together.” and “when I got sick at the DQ” and “when he got sick passing out flyers.”  He’d smile and laugh.  We talked about going bowling and when I would imitate Dilly.  “Oh Scott you are going to get in trouble.”  But that was our secret.

 

I’m not sure who I’m going to talk to about the upcoming OSU season or who will wake me up with a phone call on Christmas morning, but whoever it is, they have big shoes to fill.

 

Love you Larry.