|
|
| Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland |
|
Home Membership Club Newsletter Calendar Philanthropy and Service Officers Contact Us Links |
|
Sid Hais Condolences
The Sid Hais Memorial All-Star Tournament will be
held at the Ludlow Taylor elementary school on Saturday, May 20th
at 4:30 p.m. The school is located at 659 G St., NE on Capitol Hill.
When I met Sid, he was heavily involved in Priority
One and when he discovered that our ball players begin at age five, he
wanted to be involved. Our first 5-year-old team was in 1999 out of
Oyster School. We have had Sid's Kids every year since that time. In
June 2002, Sid's Kids went to the White House and Sid had the opportunity
to join us. There is no question that he has touched at least a thousand
kids, including emergency events when we needed food for a particular
event where the teams were participating, additional uniforms for a
tournament, food tickets for Nationals games where numerous Kiwanis Clubs
in addition to Sid funded clinics with Major League Players on special
days at RFK.
The Babe Ruth Board has voted to name the annual
mid-season tournament the Sid Hais Memorial All-Star Tournament which will
be held on the third Saturday in May every year. In the future, this
event will be the annual fund-raising activity.
"A Hundred Years From Now, it will not matter what my
bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I
drove...but the world may be different because I was important to the Life
of a Child "
Sidney Hais
It is our hope that we will see some of you there on
Saturday.
Pat Bitondo
Like many of you, a part of me is trying to figure out what happened to my uncle Sonny. For a 92 year old, he didn’t seem to have major health problems. And as all of you who interacted with him recently know, his mind was still very sharp and he could converse intelligently on any current topic of the day. When I left the hospital last Saturday evening, I fully expected to be able to take him home the next day. But that wasn’t to be. When I think about what happened those last two days of Unkie’s life, I keep coming back to what he told me many times: I did it my way. Whether it was going through more than half of his life before he found the woman who got him to settle down; being a most generous benefactor who clearly preferred to shun the limelight; or telling you the same story for the tenth time but with the same pride and enthusiasm as he did the first time – Unkie did it his way. Many people likely can say that they did it their way. However, few touch the lives of others in so many positive ways as Unkie did in “doing it his way”. While Unkie didn’t have any children of his own, the “younger generations” always played such an important role in his life. He delighted in taking us, his nieces and nephews, out for many exciting outings as we were growing up, which I believe is a major factor that has led to a special closeness for most of the Hais family cousins. He has generously supported and vigorously rooted for his nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews to do well in their endeavors. The groups that he has chosen to be affiliated with and support also provided a clear indication of Unkie’s caring for the next generations. It’s no coincidence that Unkie found such a natural fit with the Kiwanis – an organization whose motto is “serving the children of the world”. Or the immense, but humble, satisfaction he got from sponsoring the Sid’s Kids baseball teams in the D.C. Babe Ruth little league. Unkie did it his way right up to the end. After telling the doctor in the emergency room about being unsteady on his feet, the doctor asked Unkie what else was bothering him. I expected Unkie to tell him about some aches and pains. Instead Unkie said, “I used to be an extrovert, but now I am an introvert”. I didn’t say anything, but at the time I was frustrated because I thought Unkie wasn’t telling the doctor what he needed to know to treat him. And even though the doctors couldn’t use that information to successfully treat Unkie, what he said gives me a little more insight into what was happening with Unkie. Unkie was greatly concerned that he could no longer live life his way. While we are greatly saddened by his sudden departure, we can take great joy that Unkie lived his life of 92 years his way right up to the end, and that “his way” was life that had so much to celebrate. Alan Hais Below is the eulogy I gave for Sid Hais at his funeral on 26 April 2006. This was the first of several that day and covered Sid’s wonderful contribution to Kiwanis at his Club, Division, District and International level. As everyone knows, he truly was and always will be one of my very best friends, mentors and an inspiration for the life of caring and leadership he displayed daily. We have been so blessed with his presence and his leadership. The lessons of life he has taught us through his kindness, wisdom and example will live with all of us for the rest of our lives. In Kiwanis Service, Bob Cressy * * * * * SIDNEY MORTON HAIS PERSONAL REFLECTIONS ON THE LIFE OF SIDNEY M. HAIS Good Morning. I am Bob Cressy, a very close friend of Sid Hais for … I don’t really know … twenty five years? Thirty? When you’ve known Sid, have seen him in action, worked with him … you have been inspired by him. And it seems like you have known him all your life whether it has been years, months or just weeks. It really has been about thirty years for Sid and me. How in the world do you begin to highlight and celebrate Sid’s wonderful life? It was well known, too, that he wanted me to do a eulogy at his funeral because he told most everyone. That, even before his beloved Roxcey passed almost eleven years ago. I was asked to speak then, too. I could not be more honored then, nor now. Sid always carried her picture with him, and never missed an opportunity to give a Kiwanis ‘happy dollar’ to praise his elegant and beautiful Roxcey. She, too, was not shy and retiring, but was involved, generous with her time and her pocketbook for a good cause. They were a pair indeed. I told Sid we would make it a celebration of his life, just like he wished, and that I could keep my reflections down to a few hours. He said a few minutes would be fine. And I have been asked to reflect on just a few areas that we shared, and others will share their moments as well. First of all, Sid was age-less. As he said he had the mind of a twenty year old trapped in a slightly older body. He said he’d see a pretty girl then catch his refection in a window and say to himself “when did THAT happen?” Perhaps we all have those thoughts now and then. But Sid was and is forever young. Have you EVER been with a person with such consistent ENERGY ! Sure, he became slower in his step, but not in his mind. Those of you who had the GREAT fortune to be with him every week at the Bethesda Kiwanis Club or his own Georgetown Kiwanis Club know EXACTLY what I mean. Words that come to mind include: Early (always on time), Excited, Engaging, Positive, Charged, Enthusiastic ! Also, Challenging, Helpful, Motivational, Inspiring, and Giving … both from the heart and from the pocketbook. And, a ready and willing friend to all! His family asked me to focus on one aspect in particular: His decades of Kiwanis Service. Let me start with a definition and think about Sid when I recite this: “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.” THAT is Sid !!! A volunteer changing his world, our world, and that of those in need … one child and one community at a time. His community; Our community. Sid was a leader in his Georgetown Kiwanis Club becoming it’s President. And, he was not only on the Georgetown Kiwanis Foundation Board but often its inspiration, … sometimes with a good-natured whip. He was honored this year at his Club’s 50th Charter Anniversary with the Kiwanis International Tablet of Honor, Kiwanis’ highest honor. He was also a multi-year recipient of the International George F. Hixon Fellow award and the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia “Founder’s Society” donating tens of thousands of dollars to the cause of sponsoring the community service organizations of middle school “Builder’s Clubs”, high school “Key Clubs” and college and university level “Circle K Clubs” to help inspire our young leaders to serve one child and one community at a time. He believed in helping those with motivation, often through matching funds. He challenged twenty people to donate $500 each AND to bring in a new member, and he would match each $500. Twenty thousand dollars was raised, ($10,000 from Sid) for the Kiwanis District Foundation and twenty new members where added by his challenge, ready to do community service. That’s changing the world! He, of course, was an Honorary Member of the Bethesda Club … so much so that he attended virtually every meeting and truly WAS a member of the Bethesda Club. He has been the de-facto Program Chairman of the Club for years. And Sid is NOT shy! He’d call anyone, and I mean anyone for a program. Literally, prominent authors, sports and political figures, United States Ambassadors, both sides of the political scene from the Cato and Brookings Institutes to the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation. And we are the richer in knowledge for it. Sid was an exceptionally astute investor both in his real estate business and in his personal financial investments. He invested in businesses with fundamental strength; that is they made money. Then he’d tell me he needed some “walking around money’, serious money so he could spread it around to hard working organizations and people he wanted to help locally. Like Kiwanis, Sid’s baseball Kids, Suburban Hospital causes, National Institute of Health’s Children with Cancer program, the Jewish Historical Society, the Association of Oldest Inhabitants and many others. He proved that involvement in helping others … in all and any way that you can, will keep you young! He believed in involving others and brought hundreds of people into his organizations and personal circles. He loved to debate with his sharp and quick mind to the very end. It is a blessing that he did not suffer long nor end up in a nursing home. Not for him. He was and always will be a ‘free spirit’, as he said “doing it my way”. He touched us all … ALL the time, and always will touch us. He was a mentor to us, a leader by example. And, most of all, Our Best Friend! He’ll always be with us. “One can make a difference”. Sid did. You can, too! A Eulogy By Sid’s long time friend and fellow Bethesda Kiwanian, Robert N. Cressy, Governor – Elect 2006-2007, Capital District Kiwanis International I met Sid in 1986 when Fred Little invited me to become a member of the Georgetown Kiwanis. At that time, Sid and I along with other members (Al Wheeler, Pete Greenlee, Dick Miller, John Gizzi, Steve Hopkins, and Mort Alper, to name a few) worked on projects like the DC Special Olympics and the club’s annual DC Policeman of the Year awards celebration – often traveling together to those events and to a few Kiwanis conventions. More recently, we’ve been brainstorming on ways to improve the Bethesda club’s fundraising efforts, ways to improve recruitment of new members including his ideas about how to leverage corporate memberships, and continuing to line up great speakers for our club, demonstrating how with it he remained right up to the end. Sid had a way of finding solutions, working all the angles, sometimes initiating all point bulletins calling on a number of his resources – all to achieve his objectives. And, he was always on the look out for news he thought might be useful for the club or my business – often clipping articles from the paper which he would deliver in an envelope labeled with my name. I even had a special ring tone on my cell phone for when Sid called - the theme from Mission Impossible. Whenever it rang, I knew Sid was on another mission. And it rang every day. Sid was also great about singing the praises of those close to him. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a better advocate – always encouraging me to meet more business people and to “give ‘em your card, Jim.” I had the pleasure of spending even more time with Sid these last couple of years. I’ll always remember some of his favorite phrases. “I chase ‘em but I can’t catch ‘em anymore” (Sid liked to reflect on his good ‘ole days as quite the lady’s man). Or “no, no, no – you’ve got it all wrong” during investment debates with his friend Bernie Blankin or political debates with his friend Bob Cressy. And I'll never forget one evening recently when Sid and I were talking on the phone and he conference called Bob Vigderhouse into our conversation (Sid always stayed on top of the latest technology) for 30 minutes of laughing at Bob's "true stories". Sid's true friendship and support were comforting somehow, and his loss leaves me and others with such a void, as true friends are rare indeed. I’ll think of Sid often in the upcoming years, remembering his perseverance, encouragement, and guidance. And like others, I’ll fondly remember his kind heart and happy disposition, and aspire to reach the heights he achieved in those greatest of traits. Jim Lynch It will be hard for me to imagine Thursday meetings without Sid. It was always a joy for me just to "touch base" with him each week. We both were "Georgetown Clubbers" originally-- and were blessed with many friends in common. Bless him, he will truly be missed. Thank God for Sid... John Walker The Washington, DC metropolitan area and Kiwanis have lost one of our most important citizens and members with the passing of Sid Hais. He was a truly exceptional standout who embraced and welcomed anyone whom he encountered. As the driving force behind recruitment at the Washington’s Oldest Inhabitants organization, Sid was a Washingtonian through and through. I personally benefited from Sid’s undying dedication to Kiwanis service when he helped me immeasurably to achieve the Bethesda Kiwanis Club’s recruitment goals during my 2000-2001 Bethesda Club Presidency and again during my term as Lieutenant Governor. Sid’s generosity and service will serve as an inspiration to all who follow. I feel so very fortunate to have known Sid Hais and will miss him deeply. Gregory M. Miele Sid left more than a meaningful legacy, he left each of us as a better human being. Sid's ever present smile, comforting goodwill, and tireless energy will be an inspiration that I will carry forever !! Truly a man for all times.
With great admiration and respect,
Ron Spratt In my travels with Kiwanis, I met Sid on several occasions. His big heart, smile and mostly his gererosity are the characteristics that I most remember. During the Kiwanis fundraising for IDD, Sid's generosity stepped to the forefront. He challenged the members of Division One that if an individual would donate $500 toward IDD he would match it with $500, so the Kiwanian could obtain a Hixson. He did this for 10 Kiwanians and helped the Capital District meet its goal of $1.5 million. Angus S. "Gus" Lamond, Jr. Sid has left a legacy that will long be remembered by Kiwanians, Sid's Kids and the Jewish Historical Society to name a few. I met him at a Kiwanis Conference through Jack & Vivian Kruger and enjoyed his wonderful stories and spirit. He will be missed by many. Judy Hark, Kiwanis Club of Kiln Creek I've only known Sid Hais for the past several months through the Bethesda Kiwanis Club. He always had a warm greeting for me and wanted to share with me newsclips from days gone by. He was a charmer, and lit up the room. His memory will continue to light up everyone's hearts. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy goes to his family and many friends. Patricia Tiede Sid will be dearly missed. The first thing I did each time I walked into a meeting was to check to see if Sid was there - and he always was, dressed in a dapper sweater vest with a big, welcoming smile on his face. It will be hard to see that chair empty.... Stephanie A. McCabe Many thanks for the notice about Sid Hais' passing and the funeral arrangements. Sid was a wonderful man, an outstanding Kiwanian, and always a joy to be with.
I regret that I will not be able to attend the service. I am Program Chair
for the Arlington Club and have to be present at Noon on Wednesday to
introduce my friend and former neighbor, Fred Barnes, as this week's
speaker.
Please extend my sympathy to Sid's family and I join the Bethesda and
Georgetown Clubs in mourning Mr. Kiwanian.
Warren Kane
Immediate Past Governor
Capital District
What sad, sad, sad news. I will miss Sid very much.
Simin Wong What very sad news. We've lost a dear friend, and our community has lost a piece of history - Sid's vitality, sweet smile, twinkle in the eye, and totally positive attitude are going to be so missed.
Ben Schlesinger
Sincere condolences to Sid's family from all of us here at AFSA. I'll long cherish Sid's always cheery glowing smile and warmth. I really enjoyed working with him on arranging diplomat speakers for Kiwanis events. Sincerely, Tom Thomas Switzer
|
|
Home Membership Club Newsletter Calendar Philanthropy and Service Officers Contact Us Links |
|
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. |
|
Copyright © 2006-2011 Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. |
