Remembering Warren: An Obituary For A Great Man

Hello, everyone,

Yesterday I had the honor of going to a funeral service for my friend Warren Ganden. Warren was a friend of mine from my synagogue. I first got to know Warren through Thursday afternoon Torah study. He was very soft spoken but when he had a point to make he'd let you know. Lots of times he'd take the passage that we were learning from Perkei Avot (that's wisdom of the Father's) and he'd apply it to something that was going on in the nation's current events.

I didn't have the honor of knowing Warren for quite as long as some of my other friends in the synagogue, but the time that we did spend together made an impact. I figured that using my talents as a writer would be the final act of courtesy and friendship I could give to Warren.

I didn't know how great a man he was. My friend Bernie Newman who officiated the service told the congregation of his accomplishments the foremost of those being a caring and loving father and grandfather. He also gave a lot of time and energy to the betterment of the synagogue, helping in various committees and helping organize the Interfaith Dinner that I blogged on awhile ago. I looked forward to deepening our friendship.

The friendship and respect I have for Warren can be received through my continued friendship with his family. He never wanted you to worry about him, I'd ask him how he was all the time at Torah Study and he would say "I'm doing fine."

One of the coolest things I learned about him was that he turned down a job promotion because the roots that his family had established here were too important to him to forsake. He was a devoted family man always making time to be with his children and grandchildren. He gave them advice on how to live their lives with dignity and honor just like he always strove to do. He was my friend.

Thanks Warren,

P. S. I hope you and my grandpa Moe will sit down for a coffee. I'll miss you. :)