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Elliot Landsberg: Only
Homeless Man in Coral Springs Passes Away
by Jose Ruiz
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I
want to start off by stating that Eliot was a rare
individual of high intelligence, integrity and morals.
Eliot passed away yesterday on the streets of his beloved
Coral Springs. I've known Eliot going on 24 years.. He
was
one of few people that I could call my friend. Today my wife
Maureen and I shed many tears for Eliot.
For many many
years Eliot and I had a standing appointment every Tuesday
morning. I would pick him up at the bank or at "Mona's
kids" or at the Starbucks and He would spend the morning
doing his laundry, taking a shower and listening to jazz in
our home. Needless to say that a charitable gesture which
my wife Maureen suggested many years ago opened up a
fantastic world for me into the life of this homeless
person.
Did you know that he is a college graduate? He worked in
the legal department for the city of New York for many years
when he could still function. He was an avid Drummer with
enough talent to get him a gig for a couple of seasons in
the Catskills.
I don't believe that there is a government office in New
York that Eliot didn't know the address and or phone
number. If you wanted to know anything about jazz
and jazz musicians, Eliot knew.
Call any of the past mayors of Coral Springs and all of them
will tell you that they knew Eliot. They shared the same
thought, that he was a pain in the ass but they all
listened and respected him. How well will the Coral Springs
Police department function without Eliot's daily report on
crime in the city? It was difficult for them to have to
listen to these daily reports year after years but how many
times did these reports prevent crime or ended in an arrest.
Eliot was Coral Spring's protector although everyone
thought that he was crazy. Perhaps they can name a
street, or park after him. This city was his home, his
family. Coral Springs should not let him be forgotten.
Editor's Note. UPDATED OCTOBER 19th : The
Jewish organization CHABAD had offered to arrange for the
funeral of Elliot and through tremendous donations given to
the organization for Elliot's burial, a plot was
allocated. at their cemetery However, the
Coral Springs Police Department has located an uncle of
Elliot's in Chicago who will be making the arrangements.
The Chabad organization has thanked the kindness of the
people of Coral Springs ,and has returned the donations .
Looks like Elliot is remembered and not forgotten after all.
- H.M.
Previous Article 2003 by Howard
Melamed : Homeless In Coral Springs : Elliot
Landsberg the One and Only ( click here)
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