I and others were blessed, in the truest sense of the word, to have him as a Sunday golf colleague these past few years. He was an avid golfer and as the rest of us, liked to score and hit good shots. However, he never failed to make us all laugh during the round and his mannerisms and comments during the round showed us to not take the game or ourselves too seriously. One of my favorite "Dr. Oz" moments was when one of us poor souls was struggling in the rough or sandtrap near the green while everyone else was on the green. The good Dr. would go up to the pin and in mock seriousness survey the green and get ready to pull the pin out, saying loudly, "everyone on the green?" when of course he knew that one of us was not. His delivery of the line and facial expression of mock seriousness just had the rest of the foursome in stitches, no matter how many times it was repeated. Another was when you missed a putt very badly, like by 4 feet or more, he would give you that same serious and quizzical expression and say something like "how did that not go in?" and everyone would laugh. After several times being in his company, you understood that while he loved golf and he certainly did, he loved the company of folks in the foursome more and in the end, that was the important thing, the company and the banter, not particularly the end score which was as for all us, up and down throughout the season.
He was a thoughtful person. You could talk to him about events and things and he would tell you a position supported by facts. You could disagree with him but he had a very keen mind and you had better be prepared to support your position as he could and did slice through the fluff as it were and of course, there was always the expressions which told you exactly what he was thinking and even in an argument could make you laugh.
He was a great family man and was very devoted to his wife and family. Many times after a Sunday lunch after a round, he was busily off to a family gathering, cooking for his father, or taking his grandson or Colleen out for a few holes in the afternoon followed by some dinner.
He will be very missed by all of us who were lucky enough to be in his company. My deepest sympathy to Colleen and family at this difficult time.
Paul Vellano