ForeverMissed
Large image
Stories

Share a special moment from Eugene David's life.

Write a story
April 2, 2011

In this strange world we live in friends can come and go, there are only a few that remain everlasting. Timeless kinship with someone is an experience like no other. I'm lucky, I have that with Gene. As I write this I am reminded of Gene's infectious laugh, his crazy sense of humor, and his unbelievable desire to help people. You touched so many people, thanks for making the world a better place. Love you and miss you.  Ed Harabedian 

A NOVEL FROM GENE'S BEST FREIND

March 22, 2011

 

Hi Gene,
 
I was hoping you would get better but after some thought maybe you did. I know down here things were tough and I understand how it gets hard to fight. I want to tell you that you were my best friend for a long time, other then Todd, you were by bud..
 
I'm going to tell a story to your family when I see them so I hope your okay with it, so here goes..
 
Gene and I meet a long time ago. He use to brag to me all the time how we fought on the play ground in 6th grade. See, Gene got held back that year and when he came to my class he had a chip on his shoulder. Seemed I was the lucky one he decided to take it out on. So, for 4 weeks Gene use to chase me thru the school yard at recess. Gene was big and tough and I was small and fast. Gene would shout he was going to kill me and I would shout back he was too slow to ever catch me. He would threaten me and I would torment him. Finally, we had the show down.  Gene caught me while I wasn't looking and he dropped me on the ground. He turned me over and there we were face to face. He had his knees on my arms and I couldn't get out.  I said go ahead hit me, I get hit all the time at home anyway. Seems that struck a cord with Gene because he said forget it and got up and then helped me up. After that, we became best of friends all the way thru High school. Later on in life, Gene would  remind me of his generosity from back then and I reminded him I got tired of tormenting him for being so slow.. I finally asked a few months ago while he keeps bringing that up and he said because those were some of “the happiest days” of my life, Being young and having real friends back then.
 
One time in High school I called Gene to come over so we could drive around on a Sunday. I thought nothing of it, we did it all the time. Gene was the only one driving then so it was cool cruising by our buddy's in a car while they were on bicycles. Problem was, they peddled faster then Gene would drove! He would only go about 25 miles an hour because he would say he didn't want to “hurt” his mom’s car. One time I said " Gene!, I could get out and run faster then you drive this car!", He got so mad at me, he turned around and took me home.
 
Another time, Gene showed up at me house with Antny in the car. No big deal, but when I walked outside to get in, I noticed the dog was in the front seat sitting at attention like he was Genes body guard, which he was as we all know. I said Gene! tell Antny to get in the back seat! " Gene said no, come on Ron, just sit in the back!... I said are you kidding? you want me to give up my seat to your dog? He said just sit in the back... I started laughing and walking away..I thought there is no way anyone is going to see me in the back seat of a 4 door yellow car going 25 miles an hour with a dog in the front seat thinking I had any chance to look cool.. Finally he said:  fine!. He moved Anty to the back told him he was sorry it was Ron’s fault not him. Gene proceeded to talk to Antny thru the rear view mirror for an hour like I wasn't even there. Telling the dog what we were going to do next and why he was sorry Ron was in the front seat...
 
I remember once telling Gene when I saw him in NY shortly after we graduated college how I thought he did the most and best out of all of us buddies. He asked me why I think that and I said: I was reading this book when I got out of College, I had a little sport shop and I was struggling. I use to pick this book up like it was my bible because it was a self help book called " thinking Big". One of the chapters talked about not what you had in life but where you started from in life. Gene and I definitely started at the bottom of the pack. Out of I think 390 people who graduated that year in Shawnee, I think Gene and I came in at 278 and 285. I use to kid him he was 285 so I was smarter than he was... Anyway, this book was written in  parable’s and this one chapter spoke of a man who started with 1m dollars in life and ended up with 500K before he died. The other man started with 1K dollars and ended up 100K before he died. The book then asked who was the richer of the 2? The answer of course is the man who had 100k. It was because he doubled his wealth 99 times over his lifetime and the other man lost 1/2 his wealth over his life time. So I said to Gene, from where we started you have done the most out of all of us. From the bottom of the class you got your degree, you lived in NY and now at that time he was making good money and had a nice apartment. I told Gene I admired him for that..
 
Gene eventually moved to California and we lost touch for a while. We spoke on the phone but never got together again in person until his mother died recently. When I came to Meford to show Gene support and to say hi, I didn’t recognize him. I could hear his voice like I always did when we spoke on the phone but my vision of him was when I last same Gene in NY 25 years ago. It was great to see him. We had a drink and then someone luckily came and took him home. I knew he was fighting some demons inside and I always tried to make him laugh when we spoke.
 
The biggest and lasting impression I will always have of Gene was when I called him in California a long time ago. I hadn’t seen Gene for a while and I was working on a government order I was having assembled near his home town. The job was complete but I had to give the factory their money before they would ship my order and they wanted cash. It was the first time I used the company so I was reluctant to just send it to them. I finally called Gene and asked if there was any way he could help me. He said sure. I told him I would overnight a cashier’s check for I think about $40k and would he take it to the factory and see that my order gets out. It was a lot to ask and a lot of responsibility for Gene. He said sure send me all the instructions and I’ll take care of it. So I did. Anxiously waiting, Gene called me 2 days later and told me everything was fine. He took the day off of work and went to the factory and took care of everything. He did what I needed and much more. I thought that day how he could have taken the money, never gone to the factory bought himself a car anything but instead he made sure I was safe. When I hung up the phone I thought that no one in my live I can remember ever did something like that for me. He made sure I was safe.
 
I was so blown away by his generosity and honesty towards me that I sent him a check for $250.00 and told him to go to dinner at his favorite restaurant and have a party, my treat..You know 10 days later, I got the check back with the words voided on it and a note that said were friends, you don’t have to give me anything.
 
To this day, I will always admire Gene for that and it will be a corner stone for anyone that needs a lesson in in what kind of person they should aspire too become. Gene did do more than all of us guys who hung out together in my eyes he was the best my best friend... 
 
I love you and miss you already Gene. We talked about retiring to my house in the Dominican Republic, open a little burger joint and watch the sun set. If I ever get there, you will be on my mind when the sun sets my friend. Stay in touch through heaven and we will meet again one day…
 
 
 Your friend always…,
Ryb’s
 
RON S. RYBA II
Dir. Military Sales
Accent Apparel co., inc.
SBA EXPORTER OF THE YEAR 2007
410-683-2323 or 800-729-3711
fax: 410-683-0200

25 years after

March 19, 2011

well ...still look the same...

FOR ALL THE GIRLS YOU LOVED BEFORE....

.SORRY NO MORE GENE...

long time freind!!!!!!!

March 19, 2011

Those were the days my freind....25 years  OMG...can't beleive it...

to James I thank you for having Gene in your  life. through thick and thin. I can't forget the time where i always called you for help ...we love you both....

Missing you

March 18, 2011

Gener, I have sat here for days trying to figure out what to say but I get choked up and walk away, so todays the day I think I can do this. I will miss your Christmas visits and corn meal mush. Rides to the shore, your vulgar humor which u got from Pop-Pop and that grin on your face that always got us laughing.The infamous highlighting jobs that always made me look like a skunk! I cant believe this is it, I'll never get to see you again or tell u how much I love you.My only comfort is that you are with Grandma and Pop-Pop. I just hope you will find the peace you were always in search for now that you are home.I will carry you in my heart forever and hopefully visit you in my dreams.

                                                Love Julie xoxo

                                                    

March 17, 2011

Growing up in Birchwood Lakes was like Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.  Fishing every day and shooting birds off the phone wires with our first 22 caliber. Our summer vacations at Peter's farm in PA, bailing hay, watching out for copperhead snakes, and hanging out with our older cousins and learning all the "cool" things in life...Going to LBI and learning how to surf, what a fiasco! All the mischief we got into...Camping memories with  Mom and Dad, the skits around the fire...the ham that you were. Anthony, the  best four-legged companion you ever had. Even with four members in the family, he was certainly your dog. He sure had your back. How about the two of us taking such good care of Mom, after Dad was gone. She really deserved it. So you guys are all together now. What a great thought that is.

I love you with all of my heart, forever,

Curt.

 

Barong tagalog

March 17, 2011

This was my son's gift to Gene, the second time he came to america. Gene's requested to have one so he can wear  it this summer, am sure he will be very happy wearing this in his trip to heaven.....i love you Gene...

Gene in Fire island

March 14, 2011

Gene was always loving, caring, fun.  Gene was one of the mosr honest, as well as kind person i know, I loved him as if he was part of my family, which over the past years of my life he has.  Im devistated he was not able to beat his addictions, as well as surpised,  Since his death i can not forget him playing with me and my brother in Fire island, as well as walking with us and just talking about life with eachother. I would be in tocuh with gene with email as well as phone. When we would talk on the phone, and we would never stop. Although i am only 15, he treated me as if I was a family member. He was one! He was the best part of my life, and he still is, and he always will be.  I know gene is looking over us and he always will be, making us laugh, and be happy. Im glad Gene is in a better place, where he feels no pain. He deserves it.  I Love you Gene and ill never forget you. 

Benjamin Pollack

You are the STRONGest Person i have ever known

March 14, 2011

Gene  will always have a special place in our hearts. He really made an amazing impact on our lives. His fun and exciting personality was only matched by how much he cared for us and all his friednds and family. Please Gene tale care of yourself and know wherever you are we are always thinking about you and all the great times we had together, including in Fire Island. WE LOVE YOU GENE.

                                                                                                            From:

                                                                                                       The Rat Pack

 

Little step son

March 14, 2011

This was the last happiest moment I have with Gene, when I print my grandson's picture  and  He was amzingly suprised OMG, i have stepgrandson?????? Yes you do Dude....

"Just stay STRONG"

March 14, 2011

 

"I don't know how to start my story,  When i first met him he approached me with a smile and excitement on his face, it's like we already know each other. He taught me how to play golf and drive his car. But this was the best part of what he had taught me, not only recipes in cooking but recipes in life, i know i'm not the only one who he had shared these recipes. His a man who is generous and loves to help others. There's this one story he told me about this guy who gives alms everyday, and thats how generous he is. I know that his a man who loves to solve other's problem, help them and guide them without anything in return but the sad part is that, if it comes to his problems he can't find answers. For me he is a symbol of hope to others from the way he talks and give others these recipes of life which uplifts their souls. The last words i told him was that im very thankful for taking care of my mom, for me his like an angel brought by GOD because im miles away from my mom and the only thing i can do is to pray that my mom and sister would be safe, and there he is taking care of them. As he travels now peacefully in GOD's kingdom i know that the healing hands of GOD would heal his burdens, pain and sorrow he have felt for a very long time. I know his out there still watching each one of us and making sure that we are okay. This words i qouted from him that i want each and everyone to remember in life...as he said to me,"in life as we face difficult problems always remember to stay "STRONG" and "LIVESTRONG". As we all know, he loves adventure and as of now he is still in his adventure of making us happy with the memories he had left us which we surely never forget. As we continue life he still lives within our hearts. I love you and thank you for the golden moments you had given us. There is no time wasted when we enjoy each time of the day like a family day. I promise that i'll take care of the most important thing in your life...and that is our FAMILY....."

origin of Eugene's name

March 13, 2011

Mom Patricia's collection....Thank you Mom for having Gene.

Share a story

 
Add a document, picture, song, or video
Add an attachment Add a media attachment to your story
You can illustrate your story with a photo, video, song, or PDF document attachment.