Friday, February 25, 2022
I love Blake (a.k.a. Yits and Mohsh). I met him in my late teens when we were both starting college. That same day, he came to live with our family.
From the very outset, it was obvious to me that he was very strong, a good person, principled, that he wanted to make a difference in the world, that he wanted to live life with integrity and set very high goals.
As well as it could be said about anyone, he was self-made. A survivor. He was well-acquainted with struggle and was never complete free of it.
I never heard him complain (even in the toughest of times) or blame anyone for any difficulty or wrong done to him. I never even heard him raise his voice.
He was a college graduate, tried out for the New York Giants, was a Negotiant at Law and the Founder and Managing Principal of Powers Shapiro and Stein. He established the Negotiant Board of Ethical Standards (NBES).
He loved to learn, to swim, to debate, to challenge himself and others. He didn't like to be categorized or limited.
He was very sober minded and dignified. He had a playful spirit and an infectious smile. He loved children, was a great teacher and a great friend (as I feel the tears welling up in my eyes).
He was a man of faith, trustworthy, extremely loyal and extended himself to help others, even to his own detriment.
I love him and feel very sad that I can’t pick up the phone and speak with him or see him in June as we had planned. I miss him and will continue to honor him by speaking about him to those who knew him and to those that didn’t.
I miss you brother and look forward to seeing you, once again, face to face.
Joel
Our phone number is (203) 359-9999