Monday, October 26, 2009
Horace Mann Homecoming Thank You
A million thank yous to Horace Mann would never do justice to what Tom Kelly, Melissa Parento, the School, and the Varsity Football Team did for Jonathan and our Family at Homecoming this year. The game was dedicated to Jonathan’s legacy, the team all wore his number on their helmets and retired the "32" jersey for the season. Many of Jonathan’s teammates, including his co-Captain wrote the most wonderful and touching letters that were read to the team before the game for inspiration, and stood with our family on the field. And the most amazing gift of all – after the dedication and the moment of silence, the Team Captains presented each of us with a number 32 helmet – a moment our many friends who were there said they will remember forever. With eternal thank yous and love for Horace Mann – who is more of a family to us than even a school - for a day we will never forget. And our guardian angel Jonathan - we know that you were there watching the ceremony, for on a day of nonstop torrential downpours, the skies took a break for the 10 minutes when Tom Kelly stood with us on the field. We hope you saw what a legacy you are at Horace Mann. We love and miss you forever. ~the Family
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Letter from Teammate
Friends:
When Jon’s sisters asked a few of his former teammates to write something about Jon, I imagine that there was a prevailing and consistent reaction. How can you describe the leadership that Jon brought to our team? I was at a loss for words. And then I read a story about Pat Tillman. Tillman’s former coach Dave McGinnis said the following: “I remember when he came to our team meal before played Seattle that weekend [in 2003], he just walked into the room and there was silence. The room was stunned. Everyone on that team respected him so much – and you’d have seen that respect if he went out and played again.”
That’s a lot what it was like to be Jon’s teammate. He walked into a room and instantly the room was silent because we knew what a fierce competitor he was. We knew how much he wanted to win and we didn’t want to let him down. For that, Jon commanded the respect of his teammates and friends. As I think about my own football career at Horace Mann, I am reminded that it would have been quite different without Jon:
• There would be no trips down the hill as we snuck away from the two-a-day practices in the summer
• There would be no rants from coach Colandros as he yelled at Jon during the Monday afternoon practices: “Come on Kleier, sweat out the weekend’s festivities!”
• There would be no league championship game against Dalton in 2000
• And worst of all, there would be no heart on the team
Everyone who played with Jon would invariably agree on one simple fact. He was always someone you wanted on your team. Jon, we’ll all miss you. And we all thank you for the ways that you bettered our lives: in the classroom, in the cafeteria and, most of all, on the field.
When Jon’s sisters asked a few of his former teammates to write something about Jon, I imagine that there was a prevailing and consistent reaction. How can you describe the leadership that Jon brought to our team? I was at a loss for words. And then I read a story about Pat Tillman. Tillman’s former coach Dave McGinnis said the following: “I remember when he came to our team meal before played Seattle that weekend [in 2003], he just walked into the room and there was silence. The room was stunned. Everyone on that team respected him so much – and you’d have seen that respect if he went out and played again.”
That’s a lot what it was like to be Jon’s teammate. He walked into a room and instantly the room was silent because we knew what a fierce competitor he was. We knew how much he wanted to win and we didn’t want to let him down. For that, Jon commanded the respect of his teammates and friends. As I think about my own football career at Horace Mann, I am reminded that it would have been quite different without Jon:
• There would be no trips down the hill as we snuck away from the two-a-day practices in the summer
• There would be no rants from coach Colandros as he yelled at Jon during the Monday afternoon practices: “Come on Kleier, sweat out the weekend’s festivities!”
• There would be no league championship game against Dalton in 2000
• And worst of all, there would be no heart on the team
Everyone who played with Jon would invariably agree on one simple fact. He was always someone you wanted on your team. Jon, we’ll all miss you. And we all thank you for the ways that you bettered our lives: in the classroom, in the cafeteria and, most of all, on the field.
Letter from Teammate
Put simply: Jon Kleier may have been the best teammate I’ve ever had. Jon and I played varsity football and lacrosse together for 3 years and in that time, he exhibited all of the qualities that one could ever ask for in a teammate.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Jon wasn’t some bubbly cheerleader, organizing bake sales and making signs out of poster board. He was a player. An athlete built like a medicine ball and that hit like a brick. In tackling drills, you would count down the line to make sure you weren’t set to face Kleier, because he was going to make you hurt. Snot bubbles were the standard.
Kleier didn’t take plays off. Not in games. Not in practices. And it wasn’t because he was kissing up to the coaching staff hoping to get more playing time. It was because he loved it. He loved everything about Horace Mann football from the contact to shouting out “Yeeeeeeeeaaaahh Lions” from the sidelines.
Jon was the rare breed of leader that led vocally and by example. You could always tell when Kleier blew a play because he would be absolutely destroying someone on the next play. For Jon, it was all about pride. He took pride in himself, he took pride in winning, and he took pride in his teammates. He expected the best from those who surrounded him and pushed them to achieve it. In the defensive huddle, he would look the line in the eyes and ask “who’s going to make this play?!” It wasn’t a question; it was a challenge. It was a call to action by the team’s leader to step up and bring it from whistle to whistle the same way he did.
While I miss Jon and wish he could be here today to bellow out his trademark “YEEEEAAAAH Lions,” I can take some comfort in knowing that when it comes to playing football, Jon passed with absolutely no regrets. He left it all on the field. He took on every hit like it was his last hit. He ran every play like it was his last play. He hustled every game like it was his last game. From the second he put on his helmet to the second he took it off, Jon did anything and everything he could to win. He was a champion. And now Jon can rest in peace knowing that there are some kids who played for Riverdale, Fieldston, and Dalton who walk with a limp because they chose to take on Kleier, rather than team up with him.
My advice to you all this day, as you get ready to take the field, is play like Kleier. Play loose, play fierce, play hard. Challenge yourself to make every play. Put some snot bubbles in a kid’s nose. Let them know that what Kleier stood for weren’t just the qualities of one exceptional athlete, but a football program that takes pride in every play, every snap and every hit. Go out there and play like it’s your last game, because when that game comes and goes, you’ll want people to be able to say this about you.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Jon wasn’t some bubbly cheerleader, organizing bake sales and making signs out of poster board. He was a player. An athlete built like a medicine ball and that hit like a brick. In tackling drills, you would count down the line to make sure you weren’t set to face Kleier, because he was going to make you hurt. Snot bubbles were the standard.
Kleier didn’t take plays off. Not in games. Not in practices. And it wasn’t because he was kissing up to the coaching staff hoping to get more playing time. It was because he loved it. He loved everything about Horace Mann football from the contact to shouting out “Yeeeeeeeeaaaahh Lions” from the sidelines.
Jon was the rare breed of leader that led vocally and by example. You could always tell when Kleier blew a play because he would be absolutely destroying someone on the next play. For Jon, it was all about pride. He took pride in himself, he took pride in winning, and he took pride in his teammates. He expected the best from those who surrounded him and pushed them to achieve it. In the defensive huddle, he would look the line in the eyes and ask “who’s going to make this play?!” It wasn’t a question; it was a challenge. It was a call to action by the team’s leader to step up and bring it from whistle to whistle the same way he did.
While I miss Jon and wish he could be here today to bellow out his trademark “YEEEEAAAAH Lions,” I can take some comfort in knowing that when it comes to playing football, Jon passed with absolutely no regrets. He left it all on the field. He took on every hit like it was his last hit. He ran every play like it was his last play. He hustled every game like it was his last game. From the second he put on his helmet to the second he took it off, Jon did anything and everything he could to win. He was a champion. And now Jon can rest in peace knowing that there are some kids who played for Riverdale, Fieldston, and Dalton who walk with a limp because they chose to take on Kleier, rather than team up with him.
My advice to you all this day, as you get ready to take the field, is play like Kleier. Play loose, play fierce, play hard. Challenge yourself to make every play. Put some snot bubbles in a kid’s nose. Let them know that what Kleier stood for weren’t just the qualities of one exceptional athlete, but a football program that takes pride in every play, every snap and every hit. Go out there and play like it’s your last game, because when that game comes and goes, you’ll want people to be able to say this about you.
Letter from Bill Kuhn
I played on the HM Varsity team for 2 years. Jon, who was 2 years younger, played both years with me. Needless to say, he was pretty good at football at a young age. Good enough that he could hang with the big boys...RELATIVELY big that is! I could go on and on about the great plays he made on the field but most of all, I remember his attitude off the field. His infectious outgoing attitude. He was never scared. He was one of the most real individuals I have ever met. He stood up for what he believed in. He motivated others with his jovial locker banter...he always had a joke to play on an upper classman and wasnt afraid to back down when things got ugly. Everyone liked him no matter who. I can still remember his laugh to this day...that loud cackle that no matter how much you felt down or upset, put a smile on your face. He loved his teammates. He would always stick up for them on and off the field. I remember times when he would catch the back of guys in MY grade. Imagine that. His loyalty was unmatched. He was someone you wanted on your team. I can't say enought about that.
I also had the fortune of hanging out with Jon in Florida at the Boca Raton Beach Resort. On typical day we would wake up at 2pm, call each other, meet up by the pool, order breakfast and gawk at girls. When we saw a pretty girl walk by, jon and I would look at eachother, wink, and smile...that smile would turn into a laugh when we dared eachother to go over to her and say something embarrasing or to that effect. When the sun went down, we would retire for our daily naps. After that we would wake up for dinner and do it all over again at the bar that night, intermittenly driving around listening to Biggie Smalls in my car. Jon loved Biggie. He is the only person besides me who knew all the words to every song. We spent several weeks carrying on like this. Tough life for us as you can tell.
What is the message I am sending you? That Jon was nothing short of the man and his memory, all the good memories, should live on in all of you that knew him. For those that didn't know him, I hope I painted a picture so that you can imagine what an awesome guy he was. In the words of his favorite rapper: How you living biggie smalls? In mansion and benzes, giving endz to my friendz and it feels stupendous.
I hope you're living in mansion and benzes, Jon.
We all love you.
-Bill Kuhn
I also had the fortune of hanging out with Jon in Florida at the Boca Raton Beach Resort. On typical day we would wake up at 2pm, call each other, meet up by the pool, order breakfast and gawk at girls. When we saw a pretty girl walk by, jon and I would look at eachother, wink, and smile...that smile would turn into a laugh when we dared eachother to go over to her and say something embarrasing or to that effect. When the sun went down, we would retire for our daily naps. After that we would wake up for dinner and do it all over again at the bar that night, intermittenly driving around listening to Biggie Smalls in my car. Jon loved Biggie. He is the only person besides me who knew all the words to every song. We spent several weeks carrying on like this. Tough life for us as you can tell.
What is the message I am sending you? That Jon was nothing short of the man and his memory, all the good memories, should live on in all of you that knew him. For those that didn't know him, I hope I painted a picture so that you can imagine what an awesome guy he was. In the words of his favorite rapper: How you living biggie smalls? In mansion and benzes, giving endz to my friendz and it feels stupendous.
I hope you're living in mansion and benzes, Jon.
We all love you.
-Bill Kuhn
Letter from Joseph Pinion
Jon Kleier was my teammate.
At least, that’s how most people who knew us both growing up over the 13 years we spent together at Horace Mann would categorize or relationship. Ostensibly they would be correct. For seven years, Jon and I shared sidelines together, shed blood on the gridiron together, and sweat bullets on the hardwood together. But this characterization would fail to encapsulate who Jon truly was. It would fail to describe just exactly what Jon meant to me. That’s because Jon Kleier was more than a teammate. He was also my brother. He was also my friend.
Jon and I shared a bond that grew from years of mounting mutual respect, understanding, and admiration. Contrary to popular belief, football was not the embodiment of our relationship. Rather, football was the catalyst that allowed a Jewish kid from the city and a black kid from Westchester to understand concretely what they both had known intuitively from the age of 6 and refused to acknowledge: We were scarily similar! I call Jon my brother because like a brother, our similarities in many ways were a source of friction. Jon had a burning desire to be the best….to impose his will on his opponents in all aspects of life. The problem was I had that same desire, and two young boys journeying together through adolescence while attempting to be the same thing or prove the same point is often a recipe for disaster. We had moments of frication, probably years worth if you add them all up. I look back on them with now with great fondness and a tinge of Sadness. Fondness that I could find a kindred spirit in a person the world may have viewed as completely different from me. Sadness because now, my brother is gone far too soon and I wish I had back those wasted moments.
As a child my father always told me to be my own man. Be the “lead dog” he would say, a reference to the Iditarod dog sled races I enjoyed watching (don’t judge me). The lead dog is the guide. It is the sheppard for the other dogs and even the sled pusher. Its relentlessness spirit forces every other dog in tether to push forward and endure. Years before PETA and Mike Vick my father asked me “Do you know what they do to the lead Dog when he’s no longer good enough to BE the lead dog?” Not knowing any better I responded “Move it to the back?” Of course this was not the answer. “No” he exclaimed. “When the lead dog can’t be the lead dog anymore, they shoot it….shoot it dead….because there’s no going back….because the lead dog refuses to accept any other position….because it would rather die than back down.”
While I don’t know about the efficacy of this practice (or even that it really existed) it is clearer now what exactly my father meant. In fact, I believe it is analogous to the early pitfalls of my relationship with Jon. For 10 years, we were just two kids trying to be the lead dog. For 10 years, we were just two athletes vying for supremacy, not because we disliked each other but because of the unwavering belief we each had in our own God-given ability. But something happened along the way: we learned to love and respect each other’s talents. We learned to TRUST in one another to paint a broader canvas and deliver a more polished result.
Jon Kleier taught me how to trust. With him I learned how to be truly dedicated to a cause greater than myself. From him I learned how to pursue a cause with reckless abandon, not because of what you feel YOU are capable of but because of the confidence you have in the dedication and ability of the man beside you.
As you take the field today with the number of our fallen teammate emblazoned on your helmet, I urge you to play the game as Jon Kleier would have played it. Play with unbridled passion. Play without fear. Take the tools you have been blessed with, the plays you have learned, the values that have been instilled in you and unleash them ALL together in a chilling display of euphoric vitriol and elegance. Perhaps more importantly, play with the knowledge of the life lesson that Jon helped me learn: the lesson of the Lead dog. Because in football, the lead dog is not just one man but 11 men trusting in each other. The Lead dog is not one man willing to die for greed or pride but 11 men willing to lay it on the line for their brother secure in the knowledge that he would do the same for you. Be the lead dog….Be the Lion. Win homecoming!!!
Let’s get it!!!!!
Joseph Pinion III
Horace Mann class of 2001
Co-Captain 2000
At least, that’s how most people who knew us both growing up over the 13 years we spent together at Horace Mann would categorize or relationship. Ostensibly they would be correct. For seven years, Jon and I shared sidelines together, shed blood on the gridiron together, and sweat bullets on the hardwood together. But this characterization would fail to encapsulate who Jon truly was. It would fail to describe just exactly what Jon meant to me. That’s because Jon Kleier was more than a teammate. He was also my brother. He was also my friend.
Jon and I shared a bond that grew from years of mounting mutual respect, understanding, and admiration. Contrary to popular belief, football was not the embodiment of our relationship. Rather, football was the catalyst that allowed a Jewish kid from the city and a black kid from Westchester to understand concretely what they both had known intuitively from the age of 6 and refused to acknowledge: We were scarily similar! I call Jon my brother because like a brother, our similarities in many ways were a source of friction. Jon had a burning desire to be the best….to impose his will on his opponents in all aspects of life. The problem was I had that same desire, and two young boys journeying together through adolescence while attempting to be the same thing or prove the same point is often a recipe for disaster. We had moments of frication, probably years worth if you add them all up. I look back on them with now with great fondness and a tinge of Sadness. Fondness that I could find a kindred spirit in a person the world may have viewed as completely different from me. Sadness because now, my brother is gone far too soon and I wish I had back those wasted moments.
As a child my father always told me to be my own man. Be the “lead dog” he would say, a reference to the Iditarod dog sled races I enjoyed watching (don’t judge me). The lead dog is the guide. It is the sheppard for the other dogs and even the sled pusher. Its relentlessness spirit forces every other dog in tether to push forward and endure. Years before PETA and Mike Vick my father asked me “Do you know what they do to the lead Dog when he’s no longer good enough to BE the lead dog?” Not knowing any better I responded “Move it to the back?” Of course this was not the answer. “No” he exclaimed. “When the lead dog can’t be the lead dog anymore, they shoot it….shoot it dead….because there’s no going back….because the lead dog refuses to accept any other position….because it would rather die than back down.”
While I don’t know about the efficacy of this practice (or even that it really existed) it is clearer now what exactly my father meant. In fact, I believe it is analogous to the early pitfalls of my relationship with Jon. For 10 years, we were just two kids trying to be the lead dog. For 10 years, we were just two athletes vying for supremacy, not because we disliked each other but because of the unwavering belief we each had in our own God-given ability. But something happened along the way: we learned to love and respect each other’s talents. We learned to TRUST in one another to paint a broader canvas and deliver a more polished result.
Jon Kleier taught me how to trust. With him I learned how to be truly dedicated to a cause greater than myself. From him I learned how to pursue a cause with reckless abandon, not because of what you feel YOU are capable of but because of the confidence you have in the dedication and ability of the man beside you.
As you take the field today with the number of our fallen teammate emblazoned on your helmet, I urge you to play the game as Jon Kleier would have played it. Play with unbridled passion. Play without fear. Take the tools you have been blessed with, the plays you have learned, the values that have been instilled in you and unleash them ALL together in a chilling display of euphoric vitriol and elegance. Perhaps more importantly, play with the knowledge of the life lesson that Jon helped me learn: the lesson of the Lead dog. Because in football, the lead dog is not just one man but 11 men trusting in each other. The Lead dog is not one man willing to die for greed or pride but 11 men willing to lay it on the line for their brother secure in the knowledge that he would do the same for you. Be the lead dog….Be the Lion. Win homecoming!!!
Let’s get it!!!!!
Joseph Pinion III
Horace Mann class of 2001
Co-Captain 2000
Saturday, October 10, 2009
HM Homecoming Football Game, Dedicated to Jonathan, Saturday October 24th
Horace Mann will be dedicating its October 24 Homecoming Football Game to Jonathan. The team will be wearing his number 32 on their helmets for that game and the entire season, in honor and memory of its captain. They also retired his number for the season, and are leaving his jersey on the bench in his memory. In addition, the team's coach will be reading letters written by former teamates before the game. If anyone would like to write one, please send it to samantha@ghk.com or sabrina@ghk.com by October 22. Please please come to the game at 2:45 and help show Jonathan how much he is loved and missed and what a legacy he is leaving. We know he will be watching. - the Family
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Letter From Dad
Dear Jonathan,
Even though you didn’t think so - you did accomplish a lot in your short life.
You were popular your whole life and had good friends that cared about you
You had a terrific magnetic personality
You attended and graduated from one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country – Horace Mann – and you did it with a B average
You were an incredible football and lacrosse player at Horace Mann
You were also the captain of the football team and over the years became a legend at the school
You were not only popular with the boys; you always had plenty of girlfriends, one prettier than the other
You were a terrific writer and creator with a wonderful imagination
You interned at HBO when you were 19 and you were such a success that the head of original programming wanted to submit your script to the west coast for consideration
You attended and graduated from Emory University with a BA degree in Economics and Law
You joined the family business and made numerous suggestions in marketing and technology that were implemented and had a positive impact on the company
You loved and were loved by your family
You were always kind, courteous and generous
You always treated people with respect and dignity
You had so many people care about you that over 1300 friends and family attended your funeral
Your film that you wrote, created, directed about Bernie Madoff and that you worked so hard on, will be screened at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival this spring
You had a determination that was unbreakable
You loved life even when life was rough on you
You overcame many obstacles and still kept a positive attitude
You were a terrific son, brother and uncle
You were voted by the family the one person they would want with them on a desert island to protect them
You will be missed more than you ever imagined
And you gave the best hugs ever!
Not a bad resume Jonathan, for someone so young;
Love, Dad
Even though you didn’t think so - you did accomplish a lot in your short life.
You were popular your whole life and had good friends that cared about you
You had a terrific magnetic personality
You attended and graduated from one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country – Horace Mann – and you did it with a B average
You were an incredible football and lacrosse player at Horace Mann
You were also the captain of the football team and over the years became a legend at the school
You were not only popular with the boys; you always had plenty of girlfriends, one prettier than the other
You were a terrific writer and creator with a wonderful imagination
You interned at HBO when you were 19 and you were such a success that the head of original programming wanted to submit your script to the west coast for consideration
You attended and graduated from Emory University with a BA degree in Economics and Law
You joined the family business and made numerous suggestions in marketing and technology that were implemented and had a positive impact on the company
You loved and were loved by your family
You were always kind, courteous and generous
You always treated people with respect and dignity
You had so many people care about you that over 1300 friends and family attended your funeral
Your film that you wrote, created, directed about Bernie Madoff and that you worked so hard on, will be screened at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival this spring
You had a determination that was unbreakable
You loved life even when life was rough on you
You overcame many obstacles and still kept a positive attitude
You were a terrific son, brother and uncle
You were voted by the family the one person they would want with them on a desert island to protect them
You will be missed more than you ever imagined
And you gave the best hugs ever!
Not a bad resume Jonathan, for someone so young;
Love, Dad
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Dear Jonathan, By Samantha Kleier Forbes
September 8, 2009
Dear Jonathan,
I have written you so many of these cards – when you went off to Emory, when you graduated college, on big birthdays – always when things were changing in your life. I always wanted you to have a note telling you how proud I was and how well you were going to do where you were going. You were always my little baby – the baby of our family.
Sabrina and I begged mom and dad for so many years to give us a baby – you can imagine how excited we were when Mr Fountain announced over the loud speaker at Horace Mann for us to come to the principals office – I was in fifth grade, Sabrina in first, and you had been born! You were an angel from the beginning – gorgeous white blond curls, big blue eyes, you never cried. Our friends were also your friends because they knew you from when you were born and remember you as a cherub.
We were the luckiest family because we spent so much time together – mom and dad took us everywhere– summers in Atlantic Beach, remember the summer mom and dad built the pool -you were two and got chicken pox and had to walk around in a bath robe and mittens so your wouldn’t scratch – mom had to barette your long blond curls out of your face so they wouldn’t stick in the calamine lotion! The summer of the ghostbuster uniform, you used to carry your “proton pack” around the pool in 90 degree weather, zapping ghosts for us! riding our bikes in the board walk, digging sand castles in front of Clearwater, baked ziti at mother kellys, going to nunleys amusement park. – I remember watching once Miss America, and you said to me, Sabrina and Mom – you could be Miss America – and you meant it. You were always so sweet. In winters we had so many family rituals, driving to Pittsburgh every thanksgiving to visit Meme and Papa, listening to Neil Diamond and playing the exit game, you in the middle of the back seat bc you were the smallest, Christmas vacation always at Ceramore – how we all loved the water slides in the pools, the fancy buffet breakfast, the virgin pina coladas, spring vacations in Palm Beach and then our very favorite Boca – our home away from home. Fancy dinners in the dining room there in jacket and tie; in fact when mom and dad finally bought an apt in Boca, you STILL got to stay at the Boca hotel - - you said that was where the social life was and of course you were right!
Then you got too big to want to spend summers with the family and off you went to camp, where you were such a star - we’ll never forget visiting you one summer – you had never even been on water skies, and there you were in the freezing water, zipping around the lake and doing tricks on your skies. You had no fear. (as you know, you are the only one in the family with no fear!!!). During these years, how you loved your roller blades, and sneakers, always new sneakers, and 86th street – where all your favorite stores are. When you were 12, you said that when you grew up you wanted to live on 86th street – and oh how this world works– mom and dad just signed a lease for a new apt for you on 86th st – you were so excited, we all were so excited to have you “back up town” from murray hill, closer to the family, and were packing things for you to move on there on September 24 – dad even has your old football helmut ready to go!
Horace Mann was the biggest part of all our lives – they were your glory days - you were a huge star there in so many ways – everyone looked up to you – Captain of the football team and Lacross – your nickname Killer Kleier was for good reason - Mom and Dad spent dozens of days in the emergency room with you those years. Remember one game you tore your shoulder out but still played for 2 hours in the rain, bringing the team to victory? And with school work, Sabrina and I always joked – we got off the bus at 4:30 and went right to our rooms to do our homework. You came home after sports or games at 7ish, had dinner, took a nap, probably watched tv, maybe opened a book somewhere along the way and STILL graduated top of your class and went to Emory! You always could do it all, and made it look so easy.
And then there was Jen – we were never so happy as when you were with her – we loved her so much, like a daughter and a sister, picking out Ralph Lauren pink cable cashmeres, teddy bears, chocolate covered oreos, we always hoped you would wind up with her, especially since her mother’s name was Michele!
We had the closest family in the world. In fact, we talked about the family with a capitol F like the Sopranos! Steven, who loved you and knew you since you were two, always joked that mom and dad were smothering because the 3 of us did everything with them and spoke to them 50 times a day. You were better than Sabrina and I – we don’t even get dressed in the morning without calling mom to ask the weather. But when we had our own babies a few years ago, he called and said “I need to speak to that mother of yours– she did something very right with all of you and I need to know her secret.”
It was so nice for you when Sabrina and I got married, because finally you had brothers! JP and Rob love you so much – you taught them so much about computers, the Sopranos!,different kinds of music, and JP just went out yesterday and bought one of the many books you told him would help with his writing. When Sabrina and I had babies you fell in love with them, and they with you. How many 23 year old boys are into babies? You are such a gentle kind soul. You are so obsessed with our young children. You have this very cool side -the one that most of the world saw – the one who drove a Mercedes SUV listening to blaring hip hop music, wearing your jeans around your waist, multi colored sneakers, baseball caps, always an ipod in your ears, the one who went out late at night drinking with friends and who drove to Chicgao on a whim in highschool to be in the audience for the Jerry Springer show. And then there is the other Jonathan who bought my mother a doll for her bed one birthday, and wrote me a card on mothers day that made me cry, who lay on the floor to have Roxy, Lola and Dolly kiss him, the Jonathan who sometimes asked our family housekeeper advice on what to wear on a date if his roommates weren’t home, who came to every family dinner at the Palm or meatball and spaghetti Sunday nights at mom and dads, the Jonathan who ended every email to the family with “Love You!” like you were singing. The Jonathan who came to mine or my sister’s house weekly to have dinner with us, play with the kids, watch bathtime, and always tell us how lucky we were.
We felt so lucky when you came to work with us, so full of ideas – you got us on twitter and google map and all these other high tech things that I have no idea what they mean but you had patience with me and taught me and never made you feel dumb. We loved even getting emails from you at 2 am when we were all fast asleep and you had your bursts of energy with something new for the website, or a blog mom should write, when we didn’t even know what a blog was! We just feel so lucky that these past few years we have gotten to see you every day at work! You had so much potential there.
Jonathan, I don’t think any of us can imagine this world without you. I am sorry this card has gone on so long, - if you were here you would edit for me! - but there is so much to say, and your time with us was too heartbreakingly short. Maybe you were too good for this world. You had so much unfinished business – so many scripts – you were just casting one with a cute girl, website ideas for the company. You were so young and innocent – 26 years old – a baby - but also somehow you were always an old soul. You are the sweetest, most generous, loyal, moral, most sensitive child in the world, not a judgemental bone in your body; no one gave a bear hug like you. You have the biggest heart in the world. You help anyone who asks, you are honest to a flaw sometimes, you touch people you have no idea you even touch. You look at life in the best way – with such hope – you called the birth of Chase and Cooper miracles, and they were miracles – we always thought we would have girls – now we know we were destined to have little boy angels who even look like you and will carry on your spirit. You have so much love in your heart, and so much excitement for the little and the big –the perfect salty pretzel, the newest pair of nike sneakers, frogurt at 40 carrots, the script that you finally perfected (and then changed!). Everyone in this room should be so lucky to have a tiny fraction of the heart and soul and honesty and innocence and goodness that you carried every day.
I told Chase that Uncle Han went up to Heaven and that we wouldn’t be able to see him anymore, but that we could speak with him, and Sabrina heard him in the kitchen last night saying to the ceiling “Uncle Han, Can you hear me?” I told Chase that you can hear us, and to keep talking to you. I continue to email you and leave you messages on your cell phone – I know sometimes you forget to check them, but please please Jonathan, check your messages now. Don’t forget, the whole cast of Seinfeld is going to be on Larry David! We will leave you a message with the date.
Ok our sweet boy that’s all for now. Always smile, always be happy and hopeful, and know that you are right here with us, here, forever with the Family, wherever we are – at 1125, at the summer house, in Boca. And where you are, let fluffy, daisy and lily find you– they are there waiting for you. And may you find a girl there worthy of your sweet heart, and may you have many wonderful children with her – you are going to be the best father. Good night our sweet angel. We love you always.
Dear Jonathan,
I have written you so many of these cards – when you went off to Emory, when you graduated college, on big birthdays – always when things were changing in your life. I always wanted you to have a note telling you how proud I was and how well you were going to do where you were going. You were always my little baby – the baby of our family.
Sabrina and I begged mom and dad for so many years to give us a baby – you can imagine how excited we were when Mr Fountain announced over the loud speaker at Horace Mann for us to come to the principals office – I was in fifth grade, Sabrina in first, and you had been born! You were an angel from the beginning – gorgeous white blond curls, big blue eyes, you never cried. Our friends were also your friends because they knew you from when you were born and remember you as a cherub.
We were the luckiest family because we spent so much time together – mom and dad took us everywhere– summers in Atlantic Beach, remember the summer mom and dad built the pool -you were two and got chicken pox and had to walk around in a bath robe and mittens so your wouldn’t scratch – mom had to barette your long blond curls out of your face so they wouldn’t stick in the calamine lotion! The summer of the ghostbuster uniform, you used to carry your “proton pack” around the pool in 90 degree weather, zapping ghosts for us! riding our bikes in the board walk, digging sand castles in front of Clearwater, baked ziti at mother kellys, going to nunleys amusement park. – I remember watching once Miss America, and you said to me, Sabrina and Mom – you could be Miss America – and you meant it. You were always so sweet. In winters we had so many family rituals, driving to Pittsburgh every thanksgiving to visit Meme and Papa, listening to Neil Diamond and playing the exit game, you in the middle of the back seat bc you were the smallest, Christmas vacation always at Ceramore – how we all loved the water slides in the pools, the fancy buffet breakfast, the virgin pina coladas, spring vacations in Palm Beach and then our very favorite Boca – our home away from home. Fancy dinners in the dining room there in jacket and tie; in fact when mom and dad finally bought an apt in Boca, you STILL got to stay at the Boca hotel - - you said that was where the social life was and of course you were right!
Then you got too big to want to spend summers with the family and off you went to camp, where you were such a star - we’ll never forget visiting you one summer – you had never even been on water skies, and there you were in the freezing water, zipping around the lake and doing tricks on your skies. You had no fear. (as you know, you are the only one in the family with no fear!!!). During these years, how you loved your roller blades, and sneakers, always new sneakers, and 86th street – where all your favorite stores are. When you were 12, you said that when you grew up you wanted to live on 86th street – and oh how this world works– mom and dad just signed a lease for a new apt for you on 86th st – you were so excited, we all were so excited to have you “back up town” from murray hill, closer to the family, and were packing things for you to move on there on September 24 – dad even has your old football helmut ready to go!
Horace Mann was the biggest part of all our lives – they were your glory days - you were a huge star there in so many ways – everyone looked up to you – Captain of the football team and Lacross – your nickname Killer Kleier was for good reason - Mom and Dad spent dozens of days in the emergency room with you those years. Remember one game you tore your shoulder out but still played for 2 hours in the rain, bringing the team to victory? And with school work, Sabrina and I always joked – we got off the bus at 4:30 and went right to our rooms to do our homework. You came home after sports or games at 7ish, had dinner, took a nap, probably watched tv, maybe opened a book somewhere along the way and STILL graduated top of your class and went to Emory! You always could do it all, and made it look so easy.
And then there was Jen – we were never so happy as when you were with her – we loved her so much, like a daughter and a sister, picking out Ralph Lauren pink cable cashmeres, teddy bears, chocolate covered oreos, we always hoped you would wind up with her, especially since her mother’s name was Michele!
We had the closest family in the world. In fact, we talked about the family with a capitol F like the Sopranos! Steven, who loved you and knew you since you were two, always joked that mom and dad were smothering because the 3 of us did everything with them and spoke to them 50 times a day. You were better than Sabrina and I – we don’t even get dressed in the morning without calling mom to ask the weather. But when we had our own babies a few years ago, he called and said “I need to speak to that mother of yours– she did something very right with all of you and I need to know her secret.”
It was so nice for you when Sabrina and I got married, because finally you had brothers! JP and Rob love you so much – you taught them so much about computers, the Sopranos!,different kinds of music, and JP just went out yesterday and bought one of the many books you told him would help with his writing. When Sabrina and I had babies you fell in love with them, and they with you. How many 23 year old boys are into babies? You are such a gentle kind soul. You are so obsessed with our young children. You have this very cool side -the one that most of the world saw – the one who drove a Mercedes SUV listening to blaring hip hop music, wearing your jeans around your waist, multi colored sneakers, baseball caps, always an ipod in your ears, the one who went out late at night drinking with friends and who drove to Chicgao on a whim in highschool to be in the audience for the Jerry Springer show. And then there is the other Jonathan who bought my mother a doll for her bed one birthday, and wrote me a card on mothers day that made me cry, who lay on the floor to have Roxy, Lola and Dolly kiss him, the Jonathan who sometimes asked our family housekeeper advice on what to wear on a date if his roommates weren’t home, who came to every family dinner at the Palm or meatball and spaghetti Sunday nights at mom and dads, the Jonathan who ended every email to the family with “Love You!” like you were singing. The Jonathan who came to mine or my sister’s house weekly to have dinner with us, play with the kids, watch bathtime, and always tell us how lucky we were.
We felt so lucky when you came to work with us, so full of ideas – you got us on twitter and google map and all these other high tech things that I have no idea what they mean but you had patience with me and taught me and never made you feel dumb. We loved even getting emails from you at 2 am when we were all fast asleep and you had your bursts of energy with something new for the website, or a blog mom should write, when we didn’t even know what a blog was! We just feel so lucky that these past few years we have gotten to see you every day at work! You had so much potential there.
Jonathan, I don’t think any of us can imagine this world without you. I am sorry this card has gone on so long, - if you were here you would edit for me! - but there is so much to say, and your time with us was too heartbreakingly short. Maybe you were too good for this world. You had so much unfinished business – so many scripts – you were just casting one with a cute girl, website ideas for the company. You were so young and innocent – 26 years old – a baby - but also somehow you were always an old soul. You are the sweetest, most generous, loyal, moral, most sensitive child in the world, not a judgemental bone in your body; no one gave a bear hug like you. You have the biggest heart in the world. You help anyone who asks, you are honest to a flaw sometimes, you touch people you have no idea you even touch. You look at life in the best way – with such hope – you called the birth of Chase and Cooper miracles, and they were miracles – we always thought we would have girls – now we know we were destined to have little boy angels who even look like you and will carry on your spirit. You have so much love in your heart, and so much excitement for the little and the big –the perfect salty pretzel, the newest pair of nike sneakers, frogurt at 40 carrots, the script that you finally perfected (and then changed!). Everyone in this room should be so lucky to have a tiny fraction of the heart and soul and honesty and innocence and goodness that you carried every day.
I told Chase that Uncle Han went up to Heaven and that we wouldn’t be able to see him anymore, but that we could speak with him, and Sabrina heard him in the kitchen last night saying to the ceiling “Uncle Han, Can you hear me?” I told Chase that you can hear us, and to keep talking to you. I continue to email you and leave you messages on your cell phone – I know sometimes you forget to check them, but please please Jonathan, check your messages now. Don’t forget, the whole cast of Seinfeld is going to be on Larry David! We will leave you a message with the date.
Ok our sweet boy that’s all for now. Always smile, always be happy and hopeful, and know that you are right here with us, here, forever with the Family, wherever we are – at 1125, at the summer house, in Boca. And where you are, let fluffy, daisy and lily find you– they are there waiting for you. And may you find a girl there worthy of your sweet heart, and may you have many wonderful children with her – you are going to be the best father. Good night our sweet angel. We love you always.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Eulogies from Jonathan's Horace Mann friends
Brandon Weiskopf
I feel so fortunate that I was able to share an education with Jon from 1985 at Horace Mann to 2005 at Emory. I am going to share some thoughts and memories of Jon during our high school years, as this is the time when I knew him best.
At Horace Mann, Jon was the Big Man on Campus. It mattered not whether we were freshmen or seniors, everyone in school knew who he was. He was extremely popular. I remember being jealous when we were 15 when the upperclassmen would drive him down the hill to get lunch.
Jon was the social organizer of our group of friends. He was the guy that put our nights together. He made the phone calls to the guys and told us where we were eating dinner and what club we were going to afterward.
His parent's apartment was a staple of our teenage years. Not only was his bedroom a meeting place for us before heading out at night, but his basement would be home to hrs upon hrs of basketball on friday and saturday afternoons.
Going out to the bars and clubs with Jon was always a great night out. His pickup lines were usually hilarious.Jon loved watching movies, Seinfeld, and playing Madden football. He also loved anything that was produced by Bad Boy Records. The kid probably knew every word to every song that biggie released.
He loved wearing Ralph Lauren clothes. Seeing Jon without a polo insignia in high school would have been extremely rare.
Jon's personality swung across the spectrum. On the one end he was an ultra competitive and hard hitting football player and on the other end soft and giggly. Of all the things when I think about Jon, what stands out most, is his smile. It was one of a kind. He loved to laugh and you could hear it from across the room.
Jon was a fierce friend. He would do anything for the ones he deemed worthy of being his friend. I will always cherish the great amount of time we were able to spend together.
____
Zach Rose
Three things boldly standout when I remember Kleier:
The immediate thing that comes to mind is his laugh. Kleier’s laugh was involuntary and contagious, endlessly filling nights that we spent together. He appreciated and recognized the comedic awkwardness of day to day life, and had no reservations in pointing them out. If you spilled coffee on your shirt or stepped in dog crap, Kleier was the first person to tell you so.The next is his competitive fire. Between the goal posts on 246th St no one, and I mean no one ran the ball harder between the tackles. Junior linebackers would consistently walk off the practice field complaining about his hits and this kid was playing OFFENSE. He took no plays off. Our senior year, Kleier led the infamously abominable Horace Mann football team to an Ivy League Championship game against Dalton. After rushing for over 150 yards and two touchdowns (all the while playing middle linebacker) they tragically lost on a last second drive. What I remember has nothing to do with the score but my brother, a freshman on the team who Jon always looked out for, telling me how Jon wept afterwards, unable to walk off the field for some time. His passion inspired coaches and student athletes and took Horace Mann football to an emotional place it had never been before.
The last is his presence. Over the last day our Horace Mann crew has not left each other’s side. Through the years we have gone through a lot but the look on people’s faces over the last 24 hours has been indescribable. We lost one of our boys. There are so many memories and as painful as it is to think about it that is all we have done. We have laughed and we have cried. What we have come to recognize is that we wouldn’t all be friends were it not for Kleier. Once you became friends with Jon, you were a blood brother in his mind. No one else’s opinion meant anything to him, his loyalty in friendship was unquestionable.
So thank you Jon, for everything. We will never forget.
________
Eulogy for Jon Kleier
8 September 2009
Eddie Einbinder
Afternoon,
The important thing to recognize is that Jon’s death is a horrible tragedy, of course for us, his friends, but much more to him and his family, to whom we offer our heartfelt sympathy.
All of us at Horace Mann got to grow up with Jon through different stages of childhood.
The consensus of his former classmates I've spoken with in the last few days is that no matter what, Jon was a great person to have on your team. Whether in competition on the field, in debate covering topics from AP Econ to The Sopranos, and especially as a loyal, best friend. This kid did not lose. His capacity for hard work towards his passions was tremendous. This, in combination with his raw talent, made him a force to be reckoned with.
His appetite for competition was insatiable. We'll never forget his ability to convince an authority figure, girl, or barkeep of anything. Or how, with such ease and grace, he could trample through and over countless opponents on a crowded field, making it to the end-zone for a joyous celebration. It was these moments in which his teammates, spectators and adversaries were truly in awe of him. I saw him get knocked down ONCE. It was a hit and run by a taxi cab. Jon, of course, effortlessly stood up and laughed it off.
There are very few people with whom I could spend such extended periods of time without getting bored. Always interesting and interested in everything. He could make you laugh without saying a word. His personality was larger than life. His presence could not go un-noticed. He was undoubtedly the fun of the party.
He loved writing, comedy, socializing, technology and sports. He loved his friends and family. He was loyal and true. And he did whatever was necessary to accomplish his goals. This is a quality that I respect and admire. While some people may view it as morally flexible, I think it's often a characteristic that’s invaluable in a close friend. Having to write this and think back to all of our time together, I'm forced to realize how much of an effect he really had on my life, and I'm sure on the lives of all his loved ones.
Both through inspiring and encouraging me to take my work in different, new directions, and the countless times he actually got me out of trouble. He introduced me to writing for fun, as opposed to it being an assignment, in the summer of 2000. His good nature and logic kept me on the ground more times than I'd like to remember. He always thought things out and planned ahead. Last month we had a dinner at Mimi's, where our friends religiously hung out after school as long as we were still taking the school bus. We met to discuss our latest work, he shared with me his creative ideas and all that he planned to do and accomplish in the near future. Of course he guided me to do the necessary research and work to ensure that I’d be as productive as possible. And as always, tried to convince me of, and even teach me, the new computer technology that I should be using.
Clearly, one of the saddest elements of today is that Jon was taken far too soon. As I reflected on my experiences at these ceremonies, usually for a person of a more justifiable age, I thought about how often times a business partner of 20 years or long time friend would stand up and recount the decades of experiences they had together. I find a bit of comfort in being able to say that one of the beautiful things about the friendships we all formed at Horace Mann is that they started at the age of 3 and that the close bonds we formed have lasted more than 20 years themselves.
So while Jon's life has been cut terribly too short, It helps knowing that at an early age, we got to form the sorts of bonds that people look back on as the most significant of their lives. It’s not just I who can say this, but there are 20 or 30 of us in the room today who would tell you the same thing. Jon was loved by many and will be missed by all.
I stand here so depressed, not simply and selfishly that we'll never hang out over pizza and beer again, but more importantly, that we're all now deprived of the limitless creative works that could have been Jon's life. Constantly providing himself with stimulation and happiness, and that could have brought pleasure to so many others. I promise you, it would not have been ordinary. It would have been thought provoking, impressively outrageous, and hysterical. It would have been a fabulous adventure. This is our real loss.
Though, as we often say, the death of a person is supposed to be a celebration of their life - whatever life they were afforded to live. And we can all be happy knowing that Jon, I know for a fact, lived at least the majority of his time here, as a happy kid. Doing what he wanted to do. Embarking on great endeavors and adventures, never being afraid of anything. Succeeding at the types of triumphs that most people get to see only in the movies. Always trying to mix it up. He had fun. He played ball.
That is what's certain. When I knew him best, he had a life in which dreams come true. This we can be thankful for. Even amidst the tears of the last few days, there's been endless storytelling, with Jon as the lead character, and we're able to laugh. I'm sure we all have our favorite tales. I'm happy that I have such a good friend to remember.
Thank you.
I feel so fortunate that I was able to share an education with Jon from 1985 at Horace Mann to 2005 at Emory. I am going to share some thoughts and memories of Jon during our high school years, as this is the time when I knew him best.
At Horace Mann, Jon was the Big Man on Campus. It mattered not whether we were freshmen or seniors, everyone in school knew who he was. He was extremely popular. I remember being jealous when we were 15 when the upperclassmen would drive him down the hill to get lunch.
Jon was the social organizer of our group of friends. He was the guy that put our nights together. He made the phone calls to the guys and told us where we were eating dinner and what club we were going to afterward.
His parent's apartment was a staple of our teenage years. Not only was his bedroom a meeting place for us before heading out at night, but his basement would be home to hrs upon hrs of basketball on friday and saturday afternoons.
Going out to the bars and clubs with Jon was always a great night out. His pickup lines were usually hilarious.Jon loved watching movies, Seinfeld, and playing Madden football. He also loved anything that was produced by Bad Boy Records. The kid probably knew every word to every song that biggie released.
He loved wearing Ralph Lauren clothes. Seeing Jon without a polo insignia in high school would have been extremely rare.
Jon's personality swung across the spectrum. On the one end he was an ultra competitive and hard hitting football player and on the other end soft and giggly. Of all the things when I think about Jon, what stands out most, is his smile. It was one of a kind. He loved to laugh and you could hear it from across the room.
Jon was a fierce friend. He would do anything for the ones he deemed worthy of being his friend. I will always cherish the great amount of time we were able to spend together.
____
Zach Rose
Three things boldly standout when I remember Kleier:
The immediate thing that comes to mind is his laugh. Kleier’s laugh was involuntary and contagious, endlessly filling nights that we spent together. He appreciated and recognized the comedic awkwardness of day to day life, and had no reservations in pointing them out. If you spilled coffee on your shirt or stepped in dog crap, Kleier was the first person to tell you so.The next is his competitive fire. Between the goal posts on 246th St no one, and I mean no one ran the ball harder between the tackles. Junior linebackers would consistently walk off the practice field complaining about his hits and this kid was playing OFFENSE. He took no plays off. Our senior year, Kleier led the infamously abominable Horace Mann football team to an Ivy League Championship game against Dalton. After rushing for over 150 yards and two touchdowns (all the while playing middle linebacker) they tragically lost on a last second drive. What I remember has nothing to do with the score but my brother, a freshman on the team who Jon always looked out for, telling me how Jon wept afterwards, unable to walk off the field for some time. His passion inspired coaches and student athletes and took Horace Mann football to an emotional place it had never been before.
The last is his presence. Over the last day our Horace Mann crew has not left each other’s side. Through the years we have gone through a lot but the look on people’s faces over the last 24 hours has been indescribable. We lost one of our boys. There are so many memories and as painful as it is to think about it that is all we have done. We have laughed and we have cried. What we have come to recognize is that we wouldn’t all be friends were it not for Kleier. Once you became friends with Jon, you were a blood brother in his mind. No one else’s opinion meant anything to him, his loyalty in friendship was unquestionable.
So thank you Jon, for everything. We will never forget.
________
Eulogy for Jon Kleier
8 September 2009
Eddie Einbinder
Afternoon,
The important thing to recognize is that Jon’s death is a horrible tragedy, of course for us, his friends, but much more to him and his family, to whom we offer our heartfelt sympathy.
All of us at Horace Mann got to grow up with Jon through different stages of childhood.
The consensus of his former classmates I've spoken with in the last few days is that no matter what, Jon was a great person to have on your team. Whether in competition on the field, in debate covering topics from AP Econ to The Sopranos, and especially as a loyal, best friend. This kid did not lose. His capacity for hard work towards his passions was tremendous. This, in combination with his raw talent, made him a force to be reckoned with.
His appetite for competition was insatiable. We'll never forget his ability to convince an authority figure, girl, or barkeep of anything. Or how, with such ease and grace, he could trample through and over countless opponents on a crowded field, making it to the end-zone for a joyous celebration. It was these moments in which his teammates, spectators and adversaries were truly in awe of him. I saw him get knocked down ONCE. It was a hit and run by a taxi cab. Jon, of course, effortlessly stood up and laughed it off.
There are very few people with whom I could spend such extended periods of time without getting bored. Always interesting and interested in everything. He could make you laugh without saying a word. His personality was larger than life. His presence could not go un-noticed. He was undoubtedly the fun of the party.
He loved writing, comedy, socializing, technology and sports. He loved his friends and family. He was loyal and true. And he did whatever was necessary to accomplish his goals. This is a quality that I respect and admire. While some people may view it as morally flexible, I think it's often a characteristic that’s invaluable in a close friend. Having to write this and think back to all of our time together, I'm forced to realize how much of an effect he really had on my life, and I'm sure on the lives of all his loved ones.
Both through inspiring and encouraging me to take my work in different, new directions, and the countless times he actually got me out of trouble. He introduced me to writing for fun, as opposed to it being an assignment, in the summer of 2000. His good nature and logic kept me on the ground more times than I'd like to remember. He always thought things out and planned ahead. Last month we had a dinner at Mimi's, where our friends religiously hung out after school as long as we were still taking the school bus. We met to discuss our latest work, he shared with me his creative ideas and all that he planned to do and accomplish in the near future. Of course he guided me to do the necessary research and work to ensure that I’d be as productive as possible. And as always, tried to convince me of, and even teach me, the new computer technology that I should be using.
Clearly, one of the saddest elements of today is that Jon was taken far too soon. As I reflected on my experiences at these ceremonies, usually for a person of a more justifiable age, I thought about how often times a business partner of 20 years or long time friend would stand up and recount the decades of experiences they had together. I find a bit of comfort in being able to say that one of the beautiful things about the friendships we all formed at Horace Mann is that they started at the age of 3 and that the close bonds we formed have lasted more than 20 years themselves.
So while Jon's life has been cut terribly too short, It helps knowing that at an early age, we got to form the sorts of bonds that people look back on as the most significant of their lives. It’s not just I who can say this, but there are 20 or 30 of us in the room today who would tell you the same thing. Jon was loved by many and will be missed by all.
I stand here so depressed, not simply and selfishly that we'll never hang out over pizza and beer again, but more importantly, that we're all now deprived of the limitless creative works that could have been Jon's life. Constantly providing himself with stimulation and happiness, and that could have brought pleasure to so many others. I promise you, it would not have been ordinary. It would have been thought provoking, impressively outrageous, and hysterical. It would have been a fabulous adventure. This is our real loss.
Though, as we often say, the death of a person is supposed to be a celebration of their life - whatever life they were afforded to live. And we can all be happy knowing that Jon, I know for a fact, lived at least the majority of his time here, as a happy kid. Doing what he wanted to do. Embarking on great endeavors and adventures, never being afraid of anything. Succeeding at the types of triumphs that most people get to see only in the movies. Always trying to mix it up. He had fun. He played ball.
That is what's certain. When I knew him best, he had a life in which dreams come true. This we can be thankful for. Even amidst the tears of the last few days, there's been endless storytelling, with Jon as the lead character, and we're able to laugh. I'm sure we all have our favorite tales. I'm happy that I have such a good friend to remember.
Thank you.
Eulogies from Jonathan's Emory friends
Dayne Katz
I am a college friend of Jon. There are many lessons I learned from Jon and I would like to share a few:
Friendship: Friendship is about being there for others without focusing on what you get in return. The first time I heard about Jon was when someone mentioned a story about him standing up for a friend who had been assaulted. When me and three friends were stranded in a remote part of Florida, it was Jon who drove 5 hrs to get us. Jon reminded me to be there.
Passion: Fill your life with passion, it's an easy way to show you care. When Jon spoke about a hobby or topic that was important to him, he showed tremendous energy and enthusiasm. There are few moments I remember with Jon that were not filled with laughter, mainly because he could fill a dull moment with energy. Jon reminded me to care.
Dream: Jon dreamed big and never let go of his dreams. Jon would end a full day by working late at night on scripts he hoped to turn into films. In fact some of his projects were completed and his skill and talent was apparent. Despite setbacks on projects Jon continued to create more. Jon reminded me to hold onto my dreams.
Self Belief: Jon stood up for himself even if that meant he stood alone. Jon was strong in his beliefs, dreams and opinions. Despite occasional challenges he was remarkably strong willed at standing his ground and defending his beliefs. Jon reminded me to stand up for myself.
I am grateful to have known Jon and glad to know his soul will live on in many of the decisions I will make. Amen.
____
Justin Karp
Jon Kleier was a man of many talents
A writer, comedian, filmmaker;
His work was getting better each year
He was a guy who always kept the conversation lively;
No topic was off-limits or too controversial for him
This made him someone who was fun to talk to,
But also someone you could tell anything
Because you knew he wouldn't judge you
But most importantly, he was a good friend
During college summers, whenever I needed a place to stay in the city
He was the first to offer his apartment
During winter breaks, whenever I was bored of staying with my grandparents
He invited me to stay with him at the Boca Beach Club
I spent several memorable winter breaks with Jon and his family in Boca
Jon, we had a great time's together man
Forever, you will be missed.
___
Jared Seff
I went to Emory University with Jon. Jon had 5 passions in life. Family, friends, and of course Larry David, the Sopranos, and the Notorious BIG. In all seriousness, Jon was one of my closest friends and someone who I could talk to about relationship problems and anything else that came to mind. He was one of the boys who I could always grab a beer with or just hang out at one of our apartments. Jon and I had a special bond with music. Even this past week we exchanged emails and texts about our shared anticipation of an upcoming album. Growing up in South Florida, I would always look forward to winter breaks when we would spend time together in Boca. Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned from Jon was his passion and dedication to any goal he set his eyes on. Throughout college, Jon was working on a script for a television series he hoped to submit to HBO. For my graduation present he gave me two signed autograph copies of two episodes he finished writing. Those scripts will forever symbolize his passion to achieve any dream no matter how difficult. I love you Jon and forever you will be in my heart.
____
Corey Cohen
Jon and I became fast friends within the first few days of meeting freshman year. His room quickly became the favorite hangout spot of our “crew,” as he always referred to us as, because of the gigantic green leather couch that took up the entire room - Jon always did it Big. The next year Jon and I decided to get an apartment together. Jon set two essential rules from the beginning when we were setting up the place. The first was that the fridge needed to look EXACTLY like one that we would see on MTV cribs, this was our top priority and we took care of it quickly. The second was that we had to get two of those comfortable recliner chairs just like Joey and Chandler from Friends. This was non-negotiable, and turned out to be the best idea ever. I think that is what I’ll remember most about Jon. The little things – playing video games for hours, driving around Atlanta, or just sitting in our chairs talking about life, music and anything else that came to mind. I know that if I am ever sad or upset, all I have to do is think of any of the countless memories, and stories that we’ve had over the years with Jon, and I’ll immediately laugh and feel better on the spot. For that, I will always be grateful.
____
I am a college friend of Jon. There are many lessons I learned from Jon and I would like to share a few:
Friendship: Friendship is about being there for others without focusing on what you get in return. The first time I heard about Jon was when someone mentioned a story about him standing up for a friend who had been assaulted. When me and three friends were stranded in a remote part of Florida, it was Jon who drove 5 hrs to get us. Jon reminded me to be there.
Passion: Fill your life with passion, it's an easy way to show you care. When Jon spoke about a hobby or topic that was important to him, he showed tremendous energy and enthusiasm. There are few moments I remember with Jon that were not filled with laughter, mainly because he could fill a dull moment with energy. Jon reminded me to care.
Dream: Jon dreamed big and never let go of his dreams. Jon would end a full day by working late at night on scripts he hoped to turn into films. In fact some of his projects were completed and his skill and talent was apparent. Despite setbacks on projects Jon continued to create more. Jon reminded me to hold onto my dreams.
Self Belief: Jon stood up for himself even if that meant he stood alone. Jon was strong in his beliefs, dreams and opinions. Despite occasional challenges he was remarkably strong willed at standing his ground and defending his beliefs. Jon reminded me to stand up for myself.
I am grateful to have known Jon and glad to know his soul will live on in many of the decisions I will make. Amen.
____
Justin Karp
Jon Kleier was a man of many talents
A writer, comedian, filmmaker;
His work was getting better each year
He was a guy who always kept the conversation lively;
No topic was off-limits or too controversial for him
This made him someone who was fun to talk to,
But also someone you could tell anything
Because you knew he wouldn't judge you
But most importantly, he was a good friend
During college summers, whenever I needed a place to stay in the city
He was the first to offer his apartment
During winter breaks, whenever I was bored of staying with my grandparents
He invited me to stay with him at the Boca Beach Club
I spent several memorable winter breaks with Jon and his family in Boca
Jon, we had a great time's together man
Forever, you will be missed.
___
Jared Seff
I went to Emory University with Jon. Jon had 5 passions in life. Family, friends, and of course Larry David, the Sopranos, and the Notorious BIG. In all seriousness, Jon was one of my closest friends and someone who I could talk to about relationship problems and anything else that came to mind. He was one of the boys who I could always grab a beer with or just hang out at one of our apartments. Jon and I had a special bond with music. Even this past week we exchanged emails and texts about our shared anticipation of an upcoming album. Growing up in South Florida, I would always look forward to winter breaks when we would spend time together in Boca. Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned from Jon was his passion and dedication to any goal he set his eyes on. Throughout college, Jon was working on a script for a television series he hoped to submit to HBO. For my graduation present he gave me two signed autograph copies of two episodes he finished writing. Those scripts will forever symbolize his passion to achieve any dream no matter how difficult. I love you Jon and forever you will be in my heart.
____
Corey Cohen
Jon and I became fast friends within the first few days of meeting freshman year. His room quickly became the favorite hangout spot of our “crew,” as he always referred to us as, because of the gigantic green leather couch that took up the entire room - Jon always did it Big. The next year Jon and I decided to get an apartment together. Jon set two essential rules from the beginning when we were setting up the place. The first was that the fridge needed to look EXACTLY like one that we would see on MTV cribs, this was our top priority and we took care of it quickly. The second was that we had to get two of those comfortable recliner chairs just like Joey and Chandler from Friends. This was non-negotiable, and turned out to be the best idea ever. I think that is what I’ll remember most about Jon. The little things – playing video games for hours, driving around Atlanta, or just sitting in our chairs talking about life, music and anything else that came to mind. I know that if I am ever sad or upset, all I have to do is think of any of the countless memories, and stories that we’ve had over the years with Jon, and I’ll immediately laugh and feel better on the spot. For that, I will always be grateful.
____
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Barbara Kaplan poem for Jonathan
Gone But Not Forgotten 9/11/09
Gone, but not forgotten,
Loved ones led away;
Remembered, for all time,
Cherished, still, each day:
In children as they grow,
In treasures left behind,
In memories that stay
Etched, deep into the mind.
We love them, we miss them.
They cannot be replaced.
We hold them near, eyes closed,
Envisioning that face.
The smile we so cherished,
The twinkling of an eye,
Leaving us to ponder;
Mourners, asking why?
The questions go unanswered.
Perhaps we cannot choose,
The time, the place, and who,
We are about to lose,
We’re simply left to share
The goodness the dispersed,
When they walked among us,
And cast their joy on earth.
And this, perhaps, the gift:
We’re blessed in our despair.
For if we look around us,
Their light shines everywhere!
Gone, but not forgotten,
Loved ones led away;
Remembered, for all time,
Cherished, still, each day:
In children as they grow,
In treasures left behind,
In memories that stay
Etched, deep into the mind.
We love them, we miss them.
They cannot be replaced.
We hold them near, eyes closed,
Envisioning that face.
The smile we so cherished,
The twinkling of an eye,
Leaving us to ponder;
Mourners, asking why?
The questions go unanswered.
Perhaps we cannot choose,
The time, the place, and who,
We are about to lose,
We’re simply left to share
The goodness the dispersed,
When they walked among us,
And cast their joy on earth.
And this, perhaps, the gift:
We’re blessed in our despair.
For if we look around us,
Their light shines everywhere!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
