Carly and Ryan,

Throughout our childhood, your dad and I were best friends.  It was always Sackett and Cohen or Cohen and Sackett to all of our teachers in school, coaches in sports or counselors in camp.   In Elementary school a lot of classes used to line us up by height and since we were always about the same height and usually 2nd and 3rd smallest, we were always lined up together.  I can't say for sure what age we became great friends or describe the moment.  I only know that we did and that maybe we were in 2nd or 3rd grade when we truly bonded.  We used to always sit together in our classes and invariably, we used to get into a lot of trouble talking.  A lot.  haha     I could and did talk about everything with your dad as we was always a very easy communicator.  Never afraid to give his honest opinion.  Never afraid to debate you if we disagreed.   But even when we disagreed, which wasn't often, there was never any malice.  He and I would never let anything get between our friendship.   He was incredibly loyal and supportive and we always backed each other up.  We were a team and everyone else knew that if you messed with one of us, you messed with both of us.  I'll get into specific stories in later posts, but just know that your dad was the best best friend I could have ever hoped for growing up.  A true friend.

Sincerely, Laurence

Who knew that exactly ten years ago today my life would forever be changed.  On June 22, 2002 we had our first date.  I was very excited and a little nervous.  You sent a car to pick me up in NJ and take me into the city (very classy move).  My first impression was wow, he's really cute.  My second thought was wow, his apartment is really neat!  You took me to Fiama, which would become a very special place to us.  I remember feeling a little out of my element...you would later tease me and say that I didn't talk to you throughout our dinner.  After dinner we walked up to the Spring Street Lounge to have a drink and then later to the Bulls Head Tavern.  We spent a lot of time there hanging out and getting to know eachother.  By the end of the night, I remember not wanting to leave because I really liked you and was having so much fun.  It was probably the longest first date anyone has ever had.
June 22nd will always be a very special day to me.  Its where our story began.  Its the day I met my soulmate and my best friend.  I love you so much and miss you everyday.    

Carly and Ryan,

I worked side by side with your father for nearly 5 years, and over that time we grew as close as brothers (well to be fair, ALMOST as close.  I have never seen two siblings closer than Adam and your Uncle Rob).  I miss him deeply and think of him often, as I do both of you and your amazing, courageous mother who is raising the both of you so well while dealing with this incredible sadness in her heart.  I wanted to share a story with you which epitomizes just how selfless and loyal Adam was.

You were all on vacation in the Bahamas, and I was pulling double duty on our trading desk (he had done the same the week before when I was out).  Sunday night, my wife came down with a horrible stomach virus and on Monday morning she was so debilitated she couldn’t get out of bed, much less care for our three children.  I had to stay at home to help, but I also had to work, since I was the only one trading.  Luckily for me, your father, as was his nature, was on-line checking all the markets, even on your vacation !  His devotion to the markets wasn’t quite as strong as his devotion to his family, but it was pretty close.  Adam agreed to cover for me (working from his laptop in the Bahamas) until my kids’ sitter arrived and I could catch a train into the city.  He even moved back his tee time to help me out, and covered for me the next morning as well.  In my time of need, your dad put aside his precious and needed free time to help a friend.  I will be forever grateful for his generosity of spirit.

Alok

Carly and Ryan,

Your dad was an unbelievable man. When I moved to NYC in my early twenties, your dad was one of the first friends I made. He made this big, scary city seem so friendly. He always cared about how other people were feeling, and made sure to help in any way that he could. For me, he helped me to learn this crazy business we were in, helped me navigate the ropes, and introduced me to all his friends. One of the friends your dad introduced me to actually set me up with my husband. For that, and many other reasons, I will always be grateful to him. Your dad was always a good man. He loved his family first. Before you two were here, your dad loved to spoil his nieces. He always wanted to meet someone special and have children. Your mom took his breath away  as soon as they met. I will never forget him calling me at work to tell me all about her. He was gushing! When your mommy got pregnant and they had you two, your daddy was over the moon. His dream was to have a happy family. You and your mommy were his top priority in life. I am so sad and heartbroken that he didn't get to spend your whole life with you here on earth. But know that he is always with you. And know that even though his life was short, he saw his dreams come true. And those dreams were your mommy and the two of you.

We love you all so much!

Nicole & Matt Mascera