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Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Irving Kesten
2017
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The family of Irving Kesten uploaded a photo
Thursday, August 3, 2017
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Brette Taylor lit a candle
Monday, March 6, 2017
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Michael Mastro posted a condolence
Thursday, January 19, 2017
To Doug and all the Kesten Clan,
Sending all the good wishes and light that you can stand at this time of transition. I just read the obituary you composed, and my God, it sounds like this wonderful man LIVED A LIFE and SHINED A SINGULAR LIGHT IN HIS WORLD. How incredible that Irving's was such full and rich life, and that he clearly made a difference in the lives of so many people.
May his vibrance and energy and humor linger with you all for a long, long time.
Peace,
Michael Mastro
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Samuel Weinberg posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
I will forever be indebted to my Grandfather (or “grandpa” as he was first known to me, and “gramps” as my brother and I affectionately referred to him later) for so many innumerable things, in so many ineffable ways. He was a constant source of joy and positivity for me throughout my life.
I was particularly struck, in the past few days while looking at pictures of him throughout his life, of his constant smile – humongous, infectious, memorable, and sometimes mischievous. It showed itself in how he beamed at his wife (my incredible grandmother), his children (my fantastic mother and my aunt and uncles who I love so much) and all of his grandkids. He always animated everyone he was in conversation with, just from the aura he exuded. He was a wealth of stories on myriad topics – he had a vast, unknowable sum of knowledge about New York City his home and the city he loved so much and never left; Broadway shows; mathematics and most consequentially to me, his unyielding love of music. For the whole time that I knew him his whistling of Gershwin, Benny Goodman, Rodgers and Hart, and a whole lot more. A beloved constant. He would ship cassettes to my house that became some of my favorite things in my early years, and onward: giving me an unfiltered view of all of his gems -- from Louis Armstrong, Charlie Christian to all of the great Big Bands of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and more. His depth of melodic and lyric memories always astounded me. Even on Christmas, just a few weeks ago, he and I sang a rousing rendition of Frosty The Snowman with he and I trading lines. (Some of his were even cleverly improvised.) He was a member of the North Shore Towers singing group, but allegedly went begrudgingly due to the choirs’ collective lack of skill. How off-key they were bothered him viscerally, even at 94. Pretty remarkable!!
I’ll share a few unrelated tidbits that I’d be remiss not telling but can’t seem to fit into any linear pattern.
- Bennett and I watched a DVD from my bar mitzvah party and it showed Gramps, dancing, vividly looking at the camera and exclaiming “GREAT PARTY!” and then continuing to dance. We still use the line with that inflection often. I’ll always remember it.
-One of the things that I loved most about visiting Flushing when I was a child was to go on a daily ‘newspaper walk’ to Genovese on Northern Boulevard with Grandpa. I loved how ingrained the routine was and for a kid growing up in California, walking to anything was a foreign concept
-moving to Manhasset, a mere 5 miles from Flushing, in 2006 was one of the best things in my life since it allowed me to spend a tremendous amount of time with my grandparents. I was able to sit and talk to Gramps for hours on end about everything that was on my mind. I got to go to all of his local spots: frequently to Yuri’s with him, where our faithful barber granted him an honorary doctorate from Steve 3000 University dubbing him “Dr. Irv”; I got to make frequent visits to BKNY, a great Thai restaurant, where the owner Sy would always refer to him as “Daddy”. . . since somehow an 85-year-old Polish man who grew up on the Lower East Side has an uncanny doppelganger in Bangkok; and the former “The Inn” where he charmed all of the waitresses.
As the woman on the shuffleboard courts of Kutscher’s decreed: “Irv, you’re a marvel !!” and everyone who knew him agreed.
He was one of the most special people I have ever been fortunate enough to know and I’ll miss him more than I’ll ever understand.
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Maura Hobart uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
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From Maura Hobart
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Maura Hobart posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
I just learned of the death of this wonderful man, Irv Kesten, whose wife and children have been part of the St. John's Sunday community for more than 30 years. Irv was a gentle man in every sense of the word and will be greatly missed. He had a wonderful sense of humor and an indomitable spirit. May the angels take you into paradise, Irv, and your memory be eternal! I just love this picture which captures all that he was in life!
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Lisa Nolfo Vitale posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Many of my memories of my growing up in Queens include visiting the Kesten household and always being embraced by Janet & Irv. The conversation be it about, sport, art or music was always a lively one. I always learned something and still do as a visiting adult. To my dearest friend Joanne, I send you my love and lots of hugs. I wish I could have been there for you these past few days, we will meet up soon and toast to your Dad.
The Kesten Family's love and respect for each other, their children and friends is one that I always try to emulate. This special gentleman's memory will always live on.
Much love and peace to you all.
xo Lisa
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Barry Kesten posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Simply said, my Uncle Irving was a wonderful man. I enjoyed our discussions about all genres of music and the theatre. His warm "Kesten smile" will always stay with me. My love and heartfelt condolences to my Aunt Janet and my cousins Douglas, Lauren, Joanne and Robert (and their families). Barry
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Dick Andres posted a condolence
Monday, January 16, 2017
Who would not willingly embrace
this man whose real-life career
has been the seamless unmeasured grace
of having so lovingly been here?
Richard Andres posted a condolence
Sunday, January 15, 2017
IRV
Who would not willingly embrace
this man whose real-lifer career
has been the seamless unmeasured grace
Of having so lovingly been here.
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Peg and Dick Andres posted a condolence
Sunday, January 15, 2017
For more than 45 years we have been blessed with the presence of this kind, smart, wonderful man in our lives. As sad as we feel about Irv's death, we can only smile when we think of him. Rest in peace!
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Jim Weinberg posted a condolence
Sunday, January 15, 2017
For those of you who had the good fortune to meet this man, you were one of the lucky ones.
He was truly one of the smartest, most content men I have ever known. To me he was a friend, not a father-in-law. Heaven is a better place today.
Rest in peace,
Irv (Magene)
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Sam Weinberg posted a condolence
Sunday, January 15, 2017
I'm very sad to say that my grandfather, Irving Kesten, died this morning. Born in 1922, he spent every year living in New York City. He was a brilliant, charismatic, truly happy guy and one of the first real music lovers I ever knew – he showered me in mix cassettes of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Charlie Christian, and Count Basie from the age of 3 and his infectious whistling will always be remembered. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend and he will be truly missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him.
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Ron Fassler posted a condolence
Saturday, January 14, 2017
After a friendship with Irv's son Doug for over thirty years, and after having heard stories about him for decades, I only met him for the first time eleven days before he died. I was invited to his and Janet's home on New Years Day for a wonderful dinner and I was immediately drawn in by that smile that others have written about already. Even in declining health, his charisma and undeniable charm managed to shine through that night. My heart goes out to Doug, all his brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews, but especially to Janet, who loved Irv so very much. I listened to her tell stories two weeks ago of their courtship and was taken with how present her feelings for her husband of sixty-two years was. It wasn't a nostalgia for the past, but for the blessings of still having him with her. Though that has now ended with Irv's passing, he will never be forgotten.
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Craig Dorfman posted a condolence
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Sending love to the family. Doug has been a great friend for over thirty years and his devotion to his family and friends and career can be attributed to the immense love and respect and confidence he received in return from all but most importantly from Irv and Janet.
I only met Irv a few times but I admire the legacy he has left
With love and sympathy,
Craig
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TINA SPERBA posted a condolence
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Dear Family Kesten,
My deepest and sincere condolences to you on the death of your beloved husband, father, and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time.
Sending love and healing thoughts and prayers to you all.
Warm regards,
TINA
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JAN R. SCHNEIDERMAN posted a condolence
Saturday, January 14, 2017
In the interest of time I am repeating my posting from facebook from earlier today. Please forgive the duplication.
It is with great sadness that I write of the passing of Irving Kesten, the beloved patriarch of the Kesten family, on January 12, 2017. As none of his children really maintain a presence on this venue I have decided to say a few words about the man and provide the details of the arrangements for saying our formal final goodbyes. I personally do not believe we ever say a "final" goodbye to a loved one but we do have our formal rituals and they will be observed.
Doug and I have been friends since our public school days so I have known his parents and siblings a "few" years. I have many memories of many occasions, celebrations and casual gatherings during that time. There is one that comes to mind often and I will share it with you. Approximately 27 years ago I met Doug in the City to see an Off-Broadway play on Doug's birthday. His parents, Irv and Janet drove in from Queens to meet us for dinner after the show. In those days I tended to carry a rather large tote/gym bag with me that contained not only my gym work out clothes from that morning but also whatever would normally have gone into an attache case--work papers, documents, etc, etc--we're talking a rather heavy and cumbersome schlep. Immediately upon meeting up with Doug's parents Irv reached out and took this bag off my shoulder and put it on his own and proceeded to carry it the many blocks to the restaurant. I made many efforts to retrieve it--after all I was 32 and Irv was 67--but each time he gently swatted my hand away saying, "I've got it! I'm fine!" While that may not seem like "much" that was Irv. In short, he was, what used to be called (and rarely found today), a "gentleman" (and a scholar).
A few years ago he and Janet and Doug came to my home for Yom Kippur break fast where Irv regaled the sports fans that were present with his memories of seeing Babe Ruth play baseball--live and in person. BABE RUTH. Let that sink in for a minute!! His enthusiasm was infectious--better than ESPN or any of that generic commentary that passes as "reporting" today.
When one hears the term "America's Greatest Generation" we tend, most unfairly, to think only of those that fought in the military during WWll. As a result of being afflicted with polio as a young child Irv was not able to serve in the active military but nonetheless volunteered for some civilian posts at home. Uniformed military or not, Irv truly was an outstanding, paradigm (shout out to you Doug) example of America's Greatest Generation. He was a self made hard working man who worked his way through college to become a CPA. He was an outstanding example of a loving husband, father, grandfather, and loyal and devoted friend. Irv was not only present in the lives of his own children and grandchildren but also in the lives of the friends of his children attending weddings and parties and just plain "showing up" -- not just for the good stuff but the sad as well. He and Janet have done that for me and I know full well I am not the only one. He was the gold standard of all of what was good in this world and this country -- before Americans felt the need to "make America great again."
Irving Kesten was not only a gentleman but also a gentle man. His unfailing good humor, disposition, and kindness stayed with him to the very end of his 94 years 5 months. The last time I saw him at his home in December, when I would have to acknowledge he was "declining", he was still "Irv". "Hi Irv, how you feeling today" I would ask. The answer was, "not too bad" or "pretty good" -- together with his signature smile. When I left I always got a kiss and "thanks for coming dear...nice to see you" or something similar and gracious. Always gracious. And can we talk about that SMILE for a minute? Irv had such an infectious, luminous, bright smile that to meet it head on you needed to bathe yourself in a lotion with an SPF of 500!! That was Irv. I loved him and I will miss him. We all will.
While his death was not "unexpected"--he was, after all, almost 94 and a half--it was, nonetheless sudden but blessedly swift. He died at home Thursday morning with Janet, his devoted wife of 62 years, at his side. It was a fitting and fairly painless and swift departure for an elegant and proud GENTLEMAN. Although this moment is certainly not "about me" I have to note the irony of the fact that Irv died one year to the day within one hour of my own father's death last year under similar circumstances. While the two men knew each other they were not close friends. However they could have been, might have been, if their paths had crossed more often back in the day. I take some comfort in the thought that they may have another opportunity for that now.
ARRANGEMENTS: There will be a Memorial Visitation at Fairchild Sons located at 1570 Northern Blvd in Manhasset, NY. 11030 on Sunday January 15, 2017 from 1 pm - 5 pm and again from 7 pm - 9 pm. It will be an informal get together with the Kesten family and friends. Fairchild is walking distance or a short cab ride from the Manhasset stop on the LIRR Port Washington Line. Sunday travel from Penn Station seems to run twice an hour during the day. Once you arrive at the Manhasset stop/station walk down Plandome Road to Northern Blvd, cross to the far side of Northern and walk left a few blocks. Fairchild is located next to the Barnes and Noble and a small hospital. If you pass IHOP you went too far.
I encourage all of you to visit the fairchildsons.com website and read Irving Kesten's obit written with deep love and admiration by his wife Janet and his children Doug, Lauren, Joanne, and Robert. Feel free to share a story or a thought. I am sure the family would appreciate that.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the following two charities that were of interest to Irv:
Southern Poverty Law Center
400 Washington Avenue
Montgomery, AL. 36104
or
Music and Memory
160 1st Street
PO BOX 590
Mineola, NY 11502
or any other charity that is worthwhile and meaningful to you.
There will be no interment ceremony.
My heart and prayers are with the Kesten Family at this very difficult time. May peace and love be with them today and always.
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Marsha Bennett posted a condolence
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Sending much love to the entire Kesten family. Irv was a beautiful man who produced one of my favorite people, Doug. I'll hug you in person when I see you, Doug, and look forward to toasting your Dad with some single malt scotch.
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Robert and Anne Piscioneri lit a candle
Saturday, January 14, 2017
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This is to light your way, dearest Irv.
Anne and Bob
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Robert and Anne Piscioneri posted a condolence
Saturday, January 14, 2017
We are so sad to hear of Irv's passing
What a beautiful man in every aspect of human traits.
He was funny and smart and
kind and generous of heart and spirit.
Bob and I were privileged to have been his friend.
Our hearts are heavy but with wonderful memories.
Be happy dear friend. Love. Anne and BobTNr7e
1570 Northern Boulevard • Manhasset, New York 11030 Map
516-627-2000