Peter Freed
I had the honor and pleasure to be, initially and then for twenty-five years, a colleague of Isidore. I was privileged to form a personal friendship with Isidore and Goldie that spanned more than forty years. After retirement, he and Goldie spent about two months each summer in Manhattan for many years, and I looked forward to our lunches and dinners during each return visit. Two colleagues and I visited Isidore and Goldie in Tucson to rejoice in his recent 90th birthday --- he still drove impeccably, and we felt a lot safer when he was at the wheel than when any of us or Goldie were.
Isidore was one of the most ethical, consistently kind, and constructive people I have known. This consistency and decency, almost paradoxically, allowed him to be continuously reappointed as a Nassau County Commissioner, as that sometimes politically fickle jurisdiction moved on one or two occasions from a scandal-ridden administration to an eventually even more scandal-ridden successor. On many of these shifts in administration, Isidore would be one of a handful or even the sole Commissioner who was reappointed, always utterly untarnished by any charges, accurate or not, levelled at other prior officials.
One of my most pleasurable professional duties was for thirty-five years to serve as Counsel to the statewide organization of mental hygiene commissioners of which Isidore was a crucially important member. Isidore was one of the three signatory incorporators of that organization, its second Chairman, and for many decades one of its most revered members as senior Long Island representative. All his commissioner-peers respected and benefited from his integrity, wisdom and kindness.
Isidore spoke so often with pride and great pleasure at the many evolving successes of his two children and of his joy with his grandchildren. I did not know them, but Isidore's delight was palpable. I so appreciate the fruitfulness of his life, and its blessed longevity.
Many here in the New York City area who so enjoyed and respected Isidore salute his memory and send deep respects to his family.
Peter R. Freed