Eulogy for Earl Peck, June 12, 1998
/By: Rabbi Creditor of Temple Beth-El, Richmond
Dear Family and Friends,
In tomorrow's Torah portion, it begins with discussing the menorah. It was to be made out of metal, beaten well; with an intricate pattern including that of flowers; its light would extend forward from the menorah. Elsewhere in Torah we learn that there were to be seven cups for the oil. The Maccabees, in their time, took this menorah, adding a branch, to make eight separate lights and one center light. In listening to Babette and Nancy, and input from Joel and others, I believe that this is the perfect motif for Earl Peck. Each of the cups was filled with the life and light of the Pecks siblings: Lubah, Morris-Uncle May, Julius, Willy, Earl, Rose, Zel and Paul, in this birth order, and their spouses. Some of them were born in Russia, yet Earl and other younger ones were born in Baltimore. When we watch the menorah's lights burn down, there is inevitably one light which lingers beyond the rest. In advance we can never tell which candle will last. This was Earl's, to conclude the chapter of his generation. But unlike the menorah's flickering candle, Earl's, was bright, strong and active to the end-a true blessing. And now, it, too, is extinguished. When the menorah's lights are out, we can still feel their glow, their memories are bright. We will continue to feel the glow and embrace the memories of Earl's life. When Hanukkah returns, we insert new candles into the old holders, or new oil into the old cups. Earl's passing concludes a chapter for the whole Peck extended family. The mishpacha in heaven is now complete. Yet the 21 first cousins continue the legacy and fully receive the inheritance of their ancestors. Earl's light, and that of his siblings burns bright in the lives of their descendants, in your hearts. May this inspire you and sustain you.
Like the menorah of tomorrow's Torah portion, in reviewing all that Babette and Nancy shared with me, Joel and Evelyn Rogers at Minyan, this morning, I discern seven distinct and illuminating components of Earl's life. I preface this by saying that my enduring memory is from meeting him when Leslie died, and seeing him at Minyan with his special cap, a sweet and wonderful countenance. When I called Helen Dranoff to say that Earl had died, the first words were: "That sweet man." Evelyn echoed the remark. To be remembered this way is a mark of distinction.
1) Earl loved sports and in his younger days was very athletic, playing in Jewish boys clubs in Baltimore, specifically track and basketball. For the latter I suppose he was still watching the Bulls and Jazz. He took Babette to college basketball games, Richmond Junior League baseball games, always went to New York for the World Series, and in 1966, took her to the Orioles-Dodgers game in Baltimore. It was to be part of the bond with grandsons Harold and David who mutually adored each other.
2) Having worked along with his father in construction and was fortuitously sent home for lunch the day the building collapsed tragically killing his father when Earl was 13, eventually the eight brothers and brothers-in-laws, formed Peck Iron and Metal Company with branches in Portsmouth and Richmond. He was dedicated to the company and worked for it all his life. The girls remember that he was gone by 6:00 am, long before they rose, and so they called him in the office every morning. The motif of the metal, golden menorah, is strikingly appropriate for Earl and the family business.
3) Earl loved games of all sorts. He loved horse races and loved playing gin, which he did even on the last day before he was stricken. He played Lotto and promised to give the money he won to the girls. He did crossword puzzles every day-he was sharp-and did jigsaw puzzles, and then crossing to his next facet, he framed them.
4) Nancy and Babette called their father a "Grandma Moses", though he was not the first man to whom I've heard that appellation. When I lived on Long Island, there was a man, Harry Lieberman, who also came to artwork later in life and unleashed, like Earl, a treasure house of creativity. In the newspaper article which I saved, Harry could be talking for him and for Earl: "If you are losing money, you could still maybe make it back. Time, you don't get back so easy. But my experience is, you can do a lot with what is left to you, even if you are not so young. " I've carried this article for nearly 20 years and never quoted it until now. I felt particularly close, when they described his work, using gears from meters first on wall hangings and then free standing art. My uncle also created in that medium. It takes vision and creativity in the most unique way. Without formal training, Earl Peck made great use of his time and gift. He also made doll houses and its furniture, and an office building. His creation of an ark and bemah is in the case in our Social Hall. Earl's work was displayed at the Virginia Museum, the JCC, and recently, the only man's work at Hathaway Towers. These pieces contain a reflection of his soul. It is your eternal treasure.
5) Earl loved golf and played it here and partially motivated his winters in Florida. A great quote that he shared with his daughters: "it never rained on the golf course."
6) Earl was known as a dapper dresser and the height of fashion. He had to look right, and so did his girls. He was photogenic and never took a bad picture. Leslie, 'may she rest in peace,' used to comb his hair at the table, so that it was perfect.
7) The last and greatest facet of his life was his sense, love and devotion to family, and the blessing of friendships. Family was the most important thing to him and he was very special to the family. In Hebrew there is an expression, " Acharon acharon chaviv" - "the last, the last, is so dear." This perhaps is why Earl is the sibling to set the seal for this generation. He shared 44 years with his beloved wife, Leslie, introduced by the Berman's neighbors to the family. Living in Richmond, most of the family lived within three blocks of each other - at Wythe and Malvern. Nancy and Babette have the warmest memories of everyone being in each others houses all the time. That memory is precious and exclusive. No other generation has that gift besides you. They were blessed with Nancy, Babette and husband Peter, who in turn bestowed upon Earl grandsons, Harold and David, With his daughters confirmed at Beth-El and Babette and Peter married here, our synagogue was dear to him, and his family ever precious. The daily phone calls since Leslie's death nearly four years ago, were a lifeline of love and strength. He was proud of his family's accomplishments. To his grandsons in particular, I say that your grandfather is an everlasting role model par excellence. Look no further in your quest. His life will be a constant teacher, and his inspiration, a continual companion.
In my beginning, I referred to the fact that menorah's gave light in front of it, a strange formulation in the Hebrew. I believe that we learn from this that instead of "casting a giant shadow", the menorah was intended to illuminate the path towards the future. For Earl's neshama, that future is to be eternally bound up with the family in heaven now reunited, the circle closed. Their combined light is the glow on the path of this family, here gathered, to reaffirm the bonds that unite them, glory in their ancestor's history, and keep strong the bands of love and family devotion. May the light of Earl's light and soul, and those of the family shed their radiance and love into your hearts forever more. Amen.
Created and given by Rabbi Creditor of Temple Beth-El, Richmond