The Ties That Bind

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What everyone knew about Sid and Pauline Leo was they were outgoing (in fact sometimes raucous), fun and loved being with the family, whenever and wherever possible! What you might not have known about them is how proud and dedicated they were about their family, all of them, all of you!

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After all, in that regard, Sid’s role model was Uncle Manny who certainly could be considered the “Moses” of the Bashner-Kinsmen family (led us to the Promised Land), and the best Kinsmen Hanukah parties ever!

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Whether it was their sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren OR their parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or just friends, Sid and Pauline’s love and devotion to family was the driving force to their joy in life. What you also may not have known is even though Pauline and Sid shared this passion in life, they were polar opposites on how they wanted to do it.

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​Polar “Opposititis”

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How so you ask? Well, here’s one example, Sid always wanted to arrive early at family events and be one of, if not the first, to leave to get home to watch TV (usually sports or Bonanza), and relax. Pauline however, took her time. After all, why hurry?  Perhaps she wanted to be more fashionable. This meant arriving somewhat late and staying until everyone had gone home. To say this was a source of frustration and debate for this couple who were together for over 50 years is what one might call an understatement.

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Pauline was the risk taker. Sid just wanted to relax, sit without his shirt on at the TV, and enjoy the simple life. Life between Pauline and Sid was anything but simple. They did however figure out the threads of their life’s fabric in Florida – family, friends and gin rummy and Mah Jong.

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Yet somehow Pauline and Sid never lost sight of what was prime for them – family first, family second and then it was all about the family.

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Living Life

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Sid and Pauline lived life to the fullest. They believed to never hold back in spending to accomplish that goal (at least Pauline did). When they “retired” and moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1972 at the young ages of 62 and 60 respectively, they knew that living life to the fullest was still ahead of them. Sid became a leader in his Men’s Club. Pauline got connected to the National Council of Women, Hadassah and volunteered to donate money to the community. She did this in one major way - Bingo.

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A lifelong optimist, Pauline always won at least how she tallied the hundreds of dollars “invested” in Bingo cards to play the game. Sid was a card player who just kept getting frustrated since he never got any good cards dealt to him in playing the game.

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Continuing the Legacy

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In the end, Pauline and Sid’s greatest legacy has proven to be their love of life, family and commitment. Their teachings have been passed down to us all, and through all of us, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who viscerally get the meaning and value of “family”. It’s in our blood and genes!  

So, I think we can all lift our champagne glasses high and drink to Pauline and Sidney Leo. And let us all say ‘L Chaim!

 

I know Pauline and Sid are lifting their glasses with us! They never miss a party with the family!