Very sad to see my Uncle Dan, whom I loved, go. But none the less, I am grateful for the many treasured memories I have of him. Uncle Danny had many great passions, among them a love of all things Philadelphia, not the least of which being Philly sports teams.
When speaking of his passions, I would be remiss in not mentioning his commitment to "The Party", as he would refer to the Socialist Workers Party. As all that knew him are aware, Uncle Dan was brilliant. But what struck me most vividly about Him, especially as a young college student, was his heart. His passion. His commitment to social justice.
Quite often during those days, a late night discussion concerning
justice, or more often social injustice, Uncle Dan would challenge me to
think. An activity which I did very little of at the time. To think beyond
myself and reflect upon the plight of those less fortune. During those
lively talks he would often be yelling. No doubt in an attempt to have
something, anything, penetrate my thick young skull. I Asked him once "what could he do as one person, and was it worth being that upset?" He reminded me that if everyone was to take that attitude, then social change would never happen. Looking back at his anger in some of those moments, I'm reminded that he lived through some amazing and often troubling times in the country and in Philly.
He witnessed the extended popularity of Frank Rizzo, the MOVE bombing, and the futility of rooting for some really bad Philly sports teams. Humberto Robinson's Phantom Balk", the infamous Santa Claus snowball incident, and numerous losses to the Celtics come painfully to mind. How could you NOT be full of rage and fury?!
There was also plenty of joy in his heart, though, when it came to his love of family and the colorful telling of stories of living a life less ordinary.
I loved listening to him recount the experience of being at the Civic center for the game in which the Sixers finally beat the Celtics, with Poppy (his dad) by his side.
I began to realize the wisdom, love and passion of Uncle Dan. To truly understand His strongly held beliefs, later to be echoed by Shirley
Chisholm, and more recently Bernie Sanders.
Long ago, he ceased to be "that angry guy", in my mind, and I came to see him as a person of true conviction, and someone who always took his beliefs to an action.
A few years ago, I reminded him about what my mom had said about choosing him as godfather for my sister Denise. She said that "although his beliefs were nowhere near those of hers or my fathers', she "always believed that, should something happen to them, if it fell to uncle Dan to raise Denise, or any of us six, he would do so according to their wishes, not by his own, probably differing, beliefs". They trusted him that much.
The irony of that is that my mom, and all us I believe, have come around to Uncle Dan's way of thinking. And how could one not.!? It's based on fairness, social justice, and love.
When I told him that, he asked "she said that, really?" And then
added "that is right. I would have". For me, that story is a beautiful
example of scope and depth of his selfless compassion. He was a man who was often considered to be outside the norm of conventional thought. And he was.
Much of the person I am today was shaped by my Uncle Dan. He managed to penetrate my thick young skull with his unconventional ways. Thank god.
Let me say, at the risk of seeming ridiculous,
that the true revolutionary
is guided by great feelings of love."
― Ernesto Che Guevara
I'll miss you Uncle Dan.
Love, Johnny (aka Young punk, aka Jabobie).
The above was posted here by me Kathleen Cooney. Very well said John!
And Helen read the above at the commemoration of Dan’s life on Saturday 10/01/2016.
