One of our favorite--really, really favorite games is to write our own obituaries. Bill, Fred and I read obits in the Plattsburgh paper and point out the ones we DO NOT want ours modeled after. Here's one of the best we've seen in a long long time. In fact, this may be the all-time best:


Seiden, John W.

PLATTSBURGH — On Feb. 14, 2007, Big John left town to move on to his next big adventure. He left quietly and peacefully in his sleep. He was a very kind, polite, gentle man and those he touched loved him dearly. He lived his life on his own terms right to the end of his 86 years.He was born Jan. 9, 1921, in York, Pa., to Walter and Mabel Seiden. He graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, where he served aboard the USS Intrepid CVII as an aviation ordinance man all through the Pacific Campaigns during three different cruises. He earned the following medals: the Navy Code of Conduct, Pacific 6 Stars, Philippine Liberation Campaign and American Defense. He married Isabelle Tremblay in 1953 in St. Jean Sur Richelieu, Quebec, and they made their home in Plattsburgh in 1956. He worked for New York Telephone Company as an installer repairman and retired after 39 years. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post 20 and the Telephone Pioneers.He leaves his wife of 53 years, Isabelle Tremblay Seiden; his son, John S. Seiden and companion Soraya Richardson of Plattsburgh; his daughter, Hazel Seiden Miller and son-in-law Andrais Miller of California; daughter-in-law Bucky Seiden and fiancé Rod Driscoll; three grandchildren, Jonathan and Nicholas Seiden and Isabella Miller; and brother Walter and Fran Seiden of Georgia; sister Pauline Parker; and nephews Jack and Kathy Connelly and Jim and Donna Connelly of California.He loved country western music, puttering in his garden, fishing, the ocean, reading, genealogy, his grandchildren, his dogs and OTB. But most of all, he loved creating gourmet masterpieces from week-old leftovers.We will all miss his late night calls, spontaneous late afternoon visits, extremely loud TV, his handyman fix anything skills while holding his pants up with one hand and his driving through town at 10 mph. And how could we forget his swearing in front of the grandchildren, telling old Navy stories and playing his harmonica after a few touches of the brush.His spirit lives on in all of us and we will miss him dearly.In lieu of flowers and donations, the family would encourage you in the spirit of Big John to gather with friends and have a cocktail.Please join the family to raise a toast and share a story to celebrate Big John's life on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, at the American Legion Post 20, 162 Quarry Road, Plattsburgh, N.Y., from 7 to 10 p.m.
Published in the Press Republican from 2/18/2007 - 2/19/2007.