Herbie was my cousin. He was a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor. He never met a stranger and always was a generous guy. He was a great husband, father and grandfather. He had a big heart and loved to dress as Santa Claus at Christmas. He was a kid at heart, loved to play innocent tricks on people just for laughs. He left us way too soon, and we all know we'll never ever forget him.
Herbie, God love him! He was my FIRST boyfriend! In the 7th grade. He wanted me to wear his football jacket and his bracelet! (The jacket was cool. It was his brother, Gene's, and it was a real Garland Owl HS jacket!) Anyway, all this was very nerve-wracking for me and, I guess, for Herbie. We had "people" arrange for his jacket to be left on my chair at lunch one day and the bracelet inside my desk. So, I became his girlfriend. Then, he wouldn't look at me or talk to me!!
It was so wonderful and funny and painful. We were so young. I really did love Herbie for all he was. His smile, his humor, his great generosity. But, after 3 days and one "date" at the Plaza Movie Theatre, I told him I would much rather be his friend and have him talk to me and smile at me than his girlfriend that he never looked at!
I think I hurt his pride a lot at the time, but he fortunately got over that silliness and had a wonderful full life with a beautiful wife, children and grandchildren.
I will cherish the memory of the boy I knew who wanted to be my boyfriend! It was a high compliment.
