Sunday, July 12, 2020
Ann, Maria, members of the Corbiscello family and friends:
I am so sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. I am sorry, as well, that I am not there to share your grief and honor his life. A life so well lived, apart from his public persona, by the love he received from so many and those he loved in return for all of his 100 years. Only this pandemic and the travel restrictions from Florida have kept me and my family from being with you today.
While I’m sure there will be a lot of discourse about Nick’s public accomplishments, I wanted to write a little about the private man I knew , a Father figure who was always so happy to hear from me , to argue with me good-naturedly and was as proud of my accomplishments and family as he was of his own.
I first met Nick, Ann and Maria over 50 years ago when I became close friends with their late son and brother, Tony, who became my brother too, as you became my second family. There is scarcely a day or week or month that goes by that I don’t think of something hilarious Tony said or did or some experience we had and the wonderful memories of the time spent in his company and with you as well. I never forget him.
Nick had nicknames for Tony and Maria and, of course, I was no exception…………. I was James Aloysius ……or Jimmy Boy………both of which seemed to stick over the years. (I think the James Aloysius came from a Jimmy Cagney movie but I can’t be sure….Nick had a thing for Cagney).
Each time we met, after a quick update on health, family, jobs etc….we were off into a discussion of world events. Debate was more like it. He would begin by asking me what I thought of some news item of the day. After offering my opinion he would, of course, disagree with me and we were off. Nick loved a good discussion and over the years we discussed virtually every aspect of US and world politics, occasionally solving the world’s problems but mostly agreeing happily to disagree. We shared an interest in politics that began years earlier. Almost forty years ago, one of us convinced me to run for City Council when Nick was Mayor. I lost, of course. But the really funny thing about my brief political career was I ran as a Republican despite being a lifelong Democrat. I can assure you that didn’t go over too well with the local Republican cognoscenti in Fort Lee at the time. But it didn’t bother Nick. If anything it brought us closer and he and I continued to laugh about it for years. But despite our different views of the world, he sincerely listened to my opinions and provided great advice and counsel. I always felt better after our long ranging conversations.
No matter where we were and no matter what the occasion, we were always eating. I am married to an Italian woman, so no reunion was ever had in anyone’s house without food…..and lots of it. And everything was critiqued to the smallest detail…..Oh, you like the mozzarella? Anne, where did you get that? ….. What do you think of the sauce?..... Occasionally I would offer an opinion which Nick would find hilarious. What does an Irish kid know about meat sauce!
My God, I loved him………
Twenty years ago we moved to Florida and I didn’t get to see him much although we kept in touch mostly through Maria. Nick and Ann attended my 60th surprise birthday party in NYC and they stayed with us for Thanksgiving in Florida with Maria which is one of our favorite memories.
Nick’s legacy for me will forever be a warm, loving man with a great family who revered him. I know I did.
He was a very lucky man and an example of how life should be lived.
I will remember his love and kindness all my life.
Love
James “Aloysius” (Jim Doyle)
