To My Comedy Dad

Photo by Bruce Press

My Father was always my biggest fan and my most ardent supporter.

When I first told him that I wanted to do standup comedy, he smiled at me and said, “What took you so long?”

And with that, I was off and running.

Back in the day, he came to many of my comedy shows and he became well known in the community. He was even a judge at a comedy contest at the old Boston Comedy Club. He wasn’t just My Dad. He became a surrogate Comedy Father for many of my fellow comics. It was easy for him because he didn’t have a scarcity mentality. He believed the more love you gave away, the more you received.

The last show I brought him to was when I appeared at the Apollo. He was so proud of me, as was I, to have him in the audience, cheering me on. I wanted him to see me do so much more, but that night was magical because I knew, deep down, it would be the last show for us.

This weekend, after I lost My Dad, I emceed the Northeast Conference on Science & Skepticism, for the third year in a row. It’s one of my favorite events and I enjoy doing it. My Dad loved supporting my dream. It would have broken his heart if I had canceled. And so, although my heart was (and is) breaking, I went on and did what I loved. For me. For him. For us.

Thank you, Daddy.
I love you fiercely.
And I miss you madly.