Melvin Newman 1934-2009

As a communicator I counsel clients to be direct, so following my own advice I’m letting you know that my dad died today.

Although he owned and operated a local furniture store for more than 40 years, my dad was in his heart a true marketer and idea person so I guess the apple doesn’t fall very far…

He always had the “next” idea for me and his many friends, sometimes whether we wanted to hear them or not 🙂

From him I got his creativity, his passion for some things in life like Rutgers, The New York Jets (he and a friend actually attended Super Bowl III) and a really good steak (Pittsburgh style).  I also learned from him to stay away from a few other passions, cigarettes and vodka, which at different times at life he enjoyed with a passion but likely took some years off his life.

He was my “business spirit” as I wrote in a blog post in April when he entered the hospital for a series of surgeries.

On the personal side, I will aspire to his ability to create and keep life-long friendships.  In recent days a friend of his visited in the hospital and told me that although he’s known my dad for 40 years, he feels like he was one of my dad’s new friends because some of his friendships trace back to childhood.

It takes a true friend to maintain those relationships.  Not a bad personal brand to emmulate.

To all my friends old and new, thanks so much for the kind words and prayers.  We’re fine.  I will be spending the coming days and weeks thanking all of you.