You may have noticed my absence from Simmer all week, and with good reason.
This is my Dad, with Josie, last year.
My father – Murray Joel Pollack – passed away last Friday, December 5, at the too-young age of 66. Dad was a great guy, and if you asked any friend, cousin, relative or business pal, that’s what they’d say – “Murray. He’s a great guy.” Dad was a brilliant CPA who taught me to chart stocks at ten and balance a checkbook at twelve, and all my life, he’s done my tax returns. When the return would arrive for me to sign, the cover letter, on his firm’s letterhead, was all business – but the big looped signature read: Love, Dad.
No mere blog post can describe the character of this man and the huge void that’s left in our lives. All you need to know is that he especially loved old movies, good friends, and the Chicago Cubs; hot and sour soup, Carson’s Ribs, and road trips; sneaking cigars with his son-in-law, his 45 years with Mom, his granddaughter, and me. Next April someone else will do my taxes for the first time in my life – but I’ll never get that sign-off again, and I won’t be paying in scones and muffins. After a long battle with cancer, he is better off at peace, but we are not better off without him. Love. Dad.
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I’m still with family in Chicago, and will return to the Simmering kitchen later this week. Many thanks for sticking around.
My heart goes out to you and your family. He sounds delightful. I wish you peace as you remember him and are without him for just a little while.
I am so sorry for your loss, Marilyn. Having lost my own dad seven years ago, I know how you feel. He sounds like a wonderful man and he’ll be missed.
A wonderful tribute, Marilyn. You are in our thoughts.
Marilyn, you are a stranger to me and I to you. I read your blog regularly but have never commented. I wanted you to know that there are complete stranger’s thoughts with you right now, and I am very sorry for your loss. I am sure by the eloquence of what you wrote here that during his life, your father was very aware of how well he was loved. Best wishes.
Amanda
I am so sorry for your loss. Let me send you my condolences and support.
Bridget
Sounds like a wonderful man. He’ll surely be missed. I’ve been through this myself, it’s not fun.
Take care of yourself and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss! May you and your family find comfort in each other and in your memories this week. We’ll be here when you get back.
I’m truly sorry for your loss! You’re in my thoughts.
Your family has my prayers and sympathy.
Take care and remember he’ll always be with you.
So sorry for your loss. Take your time to grieve. You and your family are in my prayers.
Aw, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your tribute was very well written.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your father sounds like he was a wonderful man and you will be a great keeper of those memories.
I’m so sorry for your loss Marilyn. My condolences to you and your family.
Please allow me to add my sincerest condolences. Your father sounds like a wonderful man. I’m sure he will be sorely missed by you and your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Marilyn. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Marilyn,
I’m so terribly sorry to hear about your father. You can tell from the image you shared that he was a kind man who was loved very much. Thinking of you during these trying times and keeping your family in my thoughts.
What a sweet, wonderful man and father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Oh Marilyn…I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May all the wonderful memories comfort you. ((((BIG HUGS))))
Marilyn, my deepest and most heartfelt condolances to you and your family. May the coming year lessen your grief and heal your hearts. I also hope and pray that you use the memories of the past to soothe you in the future. God bless you all. Nella
Marilyn,
What a beautiful photograph. Thinking of you. xoxo
I’m so sorry for you and your family, he must have been deeply loved to have inspired such a beautiful tribute.
I’m sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. That’s a great photograph of your father and Josie. There’s so much love there.
Oh, sweetie, I am so sorry to hear your sad news. Your family will be in my thoughts as you stuggle with your grief. FWIW, I can personally recommend a book called “How to Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies” by Therese A. Rando. It made me feel (a little) less crazy when we lost our young nephew to cancer. Basically, I think of it as a survival guide. Much love, -sj.
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Marilyn, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. That’s a lovely photo of him with Josie, and a beautiful tribute.
Awww that’s what a beautiful memorial and a sweet picture too. I’m sorry for your loss and send my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Your blog today brought tears to my eyes. I feel for you – and I feel for me – having been where you are at. Please close your eyes and think of the very best happy moment with you and your Dad – and hold onto it! Continue on – and remember that what is in you is big bits and pieces of your Dad. He is gone- but he lives on in you!
Marilyn, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of this wonderful man.
Our prayers are with you and your family.
I’m very sorry to hear of your loss! Take care.
~ingrid
I’m so sorry. Lots of prayers to you and your family.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Peace to you and your family.
Dear Marilyn,
I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man he must have been.
Your tribute to him is a moving testimony to the love and memories he has left behind. While his was a life well-lived, and the world is a better place for his being part of it, I can only imagine a void his passing must leave in the hearts of all of you who loved him. Our hearts grieve with yours.
Sweet Marilyn,
I’m very sad to hear of the passing of your father. He must have been a very wonderful man to have had you for a daughter. What lovely words to share with us. God be with you and your family.
Thinking of you all today. Give Josie a big hug from us and we’ll see you later in the week.
I have been clicking on & waiting for something about your dad. What a beautiful pictue of Murray & Josie. I know your feelings at this time since my dad passed away in June. It is so sad to have a parent pass away. My condolences to you & your family.Much love Ann
Marilyn I will always remember when we were at KU and your Dad would call and you would have to do your checkbook with him. I always loved your stories about him. He was a happy wonderful man and I know you will miss him like crazy. That’s a great picture of him and Josie. I will give you a big hug when I see you in a couple of weeks. Until then you, Greg, Josie and your Mom are in my thoughts and prayers. Give your Mom a hug from me. love, Cath
oh, marilyn–i’m so very sorry for your loss. i certainly hope you and your family is able to find some comfort during this time. sending bear hugs and warm thoughts your way…
So sorry Marilyn. Love to you and all your family.
I am so sorry.
I am so sorry, my thoughts are with you.
Jean
All my love to you and your family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
S
All my love is with you and your family right now. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Kisses.
Marilyn, my mother passed away on August 7 this year. She would have been 62 years old on Thanksgiving Day. The sense of loss is immeasureable. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Oh, Marilyn. I was just dreading the day I would come to Simmer to see what was cooking and would find this very post. I know it has been a long, hard battle. I have been thinking every day of you and your family. Right now, I am crying…and smiling a little, too–in between the tears–about that memory of just how pleased your dad was on our trip to Freestate back in 1989! I can just hear his chuckle and feel how sparkly his eyes were whenever you were around. I am so sorry. Much love, Jen
I am so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I imagine he always was, and still remains, a very proud dad.
Oh, man. I totally feel for you…We have very similar stories (right down to my dad doing taxes for me, in fact!) so I know sort of what you are going through and just how hard it is. Cancer sucks. My thoughts are with you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God provide your family peace and blessings at this difficult time.
A beautiful tribute to your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Let me add one more thing your Dad really loved and enjoyed – this blog. He often told me how incredibly proud he was of your talent and I know he got such pleasure from reading each installment. What a great photo you chose. I don’t think I’ve seen a better one of the two of them that so genuinely reflects the bond between Josie and her “Papa”.
Love, Aunt Rhoda (Murray’s little sister, who misses him immeasurably)
I am sorry to learn of the passing of your father, 66 is too young. My sincere condolences to you and your entire family.
My sympathies to you and to your family. Blessings on all of you.
oh marilyn, i don’t even know what to say except that i’m so sorry for your loss and that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. much love, natalie.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. You’ve written such a wonderful tribute that has left tears in my eyes. Best to you and your family during this difficult time.
Much love, Lucy
I’m so sorry for your loss. I just read this post today. My dad passed away last year at 77 years. It is an indescribable empty feeling to lose a parent. I hope you find comfort and peace from God.
It must be such a difficult time for you and your family. I hope the outpouring of love and support on this page helps you through.
So sorry for your loss, Marilyn. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. ((((((HUGS))))))
Love susie ‘n howie
Marilyn, my deepest, deepest sympathy on your Father’s passing.
Your tribute to him is beautiful and very loving. I pray that your heart will find peace in the knowledge that your Father is no longer suffering.
Love, Ro
Marilyn, even though I never met your dad, from wherever he is, I’ll bet he’ll be checking your blog daily and smiling. Love you, Mate.
Dear Marilyn,
You are so lucky, and so am I. Your dad and my mum (she passed away in October) were so full of love and generosity that we both feel this way about them. I imagine how much less my life would be, how much less *I* would be, without my mum being my mum. I imagine it’s the same with you. Rejoice that he was in your life, and is in you.
Peace and long life.
love, Peter
Marilyn,
I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. You have given a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. May you and your family find comfort in all the precious memories you hold in your hearts. With sincere sympathy, love & prayers, Maggie
Dash – my sympathies to you and your family.
peg
Marilyn, I am so sad to hear about your dad. It was wonderful to read about him. My thoughts are with you and your family! -J
That is so sad! Sorry! But what a wonderfully written and touching tribute to him. You were lucky to have such a great dad (and accountant).
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.
Dearest ‘Dash’….
When a loved one has walked to the ‘light’
After passing an arduous night
It’s a blessing in part
Yet a hole in your heart
For your life has lost part of it’s bright
Wrap yourself in good memories that were
And may God let not healing defer
You were blessed with your Dad
For his loving be glad
To each other this love now transfer
Bathe yourself in good memories Dash, and may a smile or two find it’s way to your heart this season…we will pray for you and your family…and your Dad. Bob & Helen
I’m so sorry to hear this. When you have a good dad, it’s always always too soon to lose him. Take care.
That is a beautiful picture of your dad and Josie. I am so happy to get to see a photo of him. He has that same great sparkle in his eyes.
Marilyn, I’m so sorry for the loss of you Dad. My deepest sympathies to you and your family, and wishing you well in this difficult time.
Love and best for you, Marilyn. He lives on in the eyes and breath of everyone close to you that were touched by his life. But you especially are that simmering shimmer of his life that gives presence, attention, and love to everything you touch and encounter. You’re a living testament to Murray’s life and living. Gratitude here for knowing him through your eyes and heart.
Be well and my best to your husband, daughter, and family….Tim (Shitao)
A beautiful tribute and photo here with your daughter. Losing a loved one especially as precious as this is always very hard. I am so sorry for your loss, my heartfelt condolences, Marilyn, to you and your family. He will be with you in spirit always. I can’t say it any better than Tim, I echo his sentiments. All the best to you and your family, Aline.
I’m so sorry for your loss
I never knew my Dad, he died when I was 3, but as with your Dad everyone who was associated with him said he was a lovely man, and my Mum used to tell me stuff about him and how much she enjoyed the little time she had with him…it is nice that you had a great relationship… for all of you… your memories are still there for ever
I’m so very sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. I never knew him, of course, but I do know he was one cool dude. Take care and know my thoughts are with you and your family.
Mags
oh,Marilyn…my heart aches for you….
So very sorry for your loss. I was 9 when my dad died… it’s is an unspeakable heartbreak when a parent dies. My heart goes out to you.
I’m so sorry. My thoughts are with you.
He will always love you, forever.