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School: Phoenix College, Phoenix, AZ
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ,
George Washington University, D.C
Hometown(s): Philadelphia,Pennsylvania Chevy Chase Maryland Bethesda, Maryland Silver Spring Maryland Phoenix, Arizona Los Angeles, CA San Diego, CA Houston, Texas Brandon, MS
Quote: "Nothing in life is more sacred than the integrity of your own mind." - Emerson
"The good that men do, the evil they leave behind." & "Let not thy good be evil spoken of."
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My brother, Samuel was born a year and one week after Japan surrendered on V-J Day, August 15, 1945 bringing the end to World War II. America was still celebrating this victory, while coming to grips with adjusting to post-war life, in a nation healing from the wounds of six long years of warfare in Europe and Asia.
My brother and millions like him entered life in the era of what became known as the great baby boom generation. How appropriate it was that 1946 was the year that Benjamin Spock published his soon to be best seller book, BABY AND CHILD CARE. This was a new era in America, the dawn of change. And parents now needed ‘modern’ guidance on how to raise their large families. Old fashioned traditions were being tossed aside for modern thinking, and new ways of doing everything.
TIME magazine had a glossy cover on the stands, when my brother entered the world on August 8, 1946, becoming my parents first child. A son! The headline read: Canada - Quebec: Innocent Abroad. This story highlighted the moving patterns, and changing social mindsets affecting Americans and our neighbors. Days later, when my brother was not yet a week old, LIFE magazine ran a cover with Loretta Young modeling pajamas mocking the styles from the 40’s decade. It was symbolic of discarding the old, and ‘coming out’ with new attire, new appliances, new music, new dreams … an openness to liberal ideals which cried, “phooey”, to old traditions – including old-fashioned nightgowns for women.
In many ways, 1946 was an encouraging year in which hopes for the American Dream seemed attainable to all. And although my parents worried when the doctors told them that my brother had vision problems, their fear was diminished by their glorious joy of celebrating my brothers birth.
The forties soon came to an end, and by 1949 my parents had three children. I was the youngest, born in May of that year. And, by 1952 my big brother and I became inseparable.
Fall 1952
How wonderful it is remembering the days I spent growing up during the glorious days of the fifties when all the world seemed a wonderment. And lucky for me and my siblings, we had our big brother to coddle us in a world that was beginning to move too fast for us to comprehend what was occurring all around us.
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia Summer 1954
Among my more memorable moments spent with my brother are the times he was playing his music. A prodigy, he mastered every instrument he touched. He began playing the violin, but the moment his mouth touched the flute, he became a master of all reed instruments.
Throughout Samuel’s life as a musician he was loved by all who were fortunate to know him and work with him. And despite his declining vision, my brother mastered the ability to touch the spirits of those who sought his guidance. Throughout his adult life my brother would become the quintessential embodiment of the 'musician’ musician that every artist aspired to become. Every artist in the Phoenix area flocked to be in his performances as a band leader and director.
Most remarkable, although Samuel will always be revered for his exceptional musical genius, his legacy will remain the gift he owned, which extend an uncompromising love to everyone in a manner that left its indelible mark on the thousands hearts he touched.
And in a very special private way, Samuel healed my spirit by always telling me how beautiful I was … And, he said this in a loving way that no sighted person could understand. But then, Samuel told me and all my sisters how very beautiful we were in a voice that was sincere and trusting.
Happy birthday, Samuel. You remain forever cherish and loved.
May you rest in everlasting peace ....
Maizie James
August 7, 2009
"When peace like a river ... it is well, it is well, with my soul"
I don't exaggerate that my brother, Samuel was a man of deep compassion that EVERYONE loved. When he died, there was such an overwhelming response, that the services had to be changed to a much large auditorium to accommodate all the mourners who wanted to attend the services.
When I lost my brother, I lost the ONLY person I KNEW loved me completely and unconditionally.
What a beautiful tribute. I, too, can feel your love and his presence. I can almost hear his music as background. Thanks for sharing your beautiful life and "big brother" with us. It is very much appreciated. Karean
The Visitor
