"Remember to be kind"

This is too short of an epithet that describes a life full of kind-heartedness and empathy!

Not long ago, not far from our midst was a young boy growing up sharing the same place of a troubled world, full of adversity and hate. But with a sense of a sage and full of resolute purpose he imparted wisdom by example. Not only did he teach us to be kind, he actually embraced us with his contagious laughter, impartial unconditional and disinterested understanding by just humbly listening to us.

He was the best listener I have ever known.

But his prowess doesn’t stop there! He could pick up a song in the piano, no matter how difficult it was, he was a true natural virtuoso! I could listen to his fingers dance on the keyboards for hours; he always had fresh new classics to play. Best I remember, he even exceeded my expectations when he played the famous “The Sting“ rag-time from ear! He always wanted me to play that song, but I never got it as good as he did. I can now hear him playing piano to God, among the harps of his peers, the angels.

I am sure God is jubilant and proud to have Zachary by his side – we sure were delighted when he was by ours. We now know what it means to be kind. More than a legacy, that was his message to the world. — with Claudia Norrigan Granoff.