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Scalise family

Dear Editor,

After reading the recent (11-26-16) obit and news story of Richard (Dick Scalise), a couple old memories of my own were rekindled regarding Dick and his younger brother James. It should be noted that I am 30 years or so younger than both. I am a “baby boomer” and these two fine men were from the “greatest generation.” I was not at all familiar with either man except for a few brief but memorable encounters with both.

On Mothers Day week of 1967, I had seen a Levinson Brothers Department Store advertisement for an aluminum porch glider. As my mom spent a lot of time on our front porch on summer afternoons and evenings, I decided this would be the perfect mother’s day gift. I can still recall the cost ($47.99), a hefty sum for a 16-year-old with a meager part-time job. I then proceeded to visit Levinson Brothers furniture department to make my grand purchase. Dick Scalise was the manager of the furniture department. I spotted the beautiful glider intended for my mom. A Levinson Brothers lady clerk waited on me and I proceeded to dig out my hard earned $50 to finalize the purchase. The lady clerk then advised I would need to come up with another $10 for sales tax and a delivery fee. I didn’t have the additional sum needed and the clerk was going to place my mom’s glider on layaway. Needless to say, I was crestfallen to realize my mom would not be receiving her surprise porch glider on Mother’s Day.

Then much to surprise and delight, Dick Scalise popped up behind the clerk and inquired of whether I was buying this glider for my mom. I acknowledged I was. Mr. Scalise then advised the clerk that she should immediately write up my sale and schedule the delivery of my mom’s porch glider the next day. Mr. Scalise then told the clerk he believed this young man would be “good” for the remaining $10! Remember this was before credit charge cards were at all common. Needless to say, I was both relieved and elated. Mr. Scalise was a great ambassador for Levinson Brothers. I have never forgotten Mr. Scalise’s kindness and thoughtfulness.

Twenty years later I would have an encounter with Dick’s younger brother James. I was then employed as a claims representative for an insurance company. James had filed a homeowner’s fire claim which I handled and settled. Approximately a month later I received a call from my claims manager advising me of a letter sent to my employer thanking me for my prompt and professional handling of his fire claim. I then received a copy of Mr. Scalise’s most delightful letter. In my line of business, one did not frequently receive such praise on a regular basis. What are the odds of my having dealings with two brothers who both sowed me great respect. I never connected these two men until I read Dick’s obit and accompanying news story.

I also noted in Dick’s narrative about his and his brother James’ part in WWII that their father, Anthony, was a pacifist who had great concerns for his sons’ role in the war. I would believe this was a daring belief to hold in the heady days of WWII. But this might also explain the two modest but yet remarkable sons turned out. I had only a fleeting acquaintance but lasting memories of both.

Anthony and Frances Scalise would likely be very proud to see how Dick and James had lived their lives. Both men lived life with dignity and displayed courtesy to others that we rarely see today in the age of the internet and social media with all its instantaneous gratification and often crudeness.

I tip my had to the Scalise families.

Craig Tidrick,

Warren

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