Thursday, February 20, 2025
Aunt Alicia was a larger-than-life personality. I have no memory of when I first encountered her, but I learned subsequently that she was my babysitter when my parents, Ed and Dorothy Moffit would travel up to Union City to see Aunt Margie and Uncle Tommy Hodge. From there they would go on a great night out on the town, either across the Hudson River in Manhattan or closer to home base at the unforgettable Clam Broth House. In any case, I do recall being an annoying "guest" - about the age 5 or 6- at her wedding. I danced up a storm, and the celebratory antics of the " little brat" (me) are somewhere recorded on film, probably in Damian's vast digital archives. Yes, I've seen the evidence. Last year she made a comment to me, perhaps recalling the event, and clearly recognizing me, recalled, "Oh, Bobby, you were the funny one." Well, yes, and no, not quite. She might have reconsidered my contributions to her Wedding Mirth.
Of course, she then made a great decision and married one of the finest men I have ever encountered, the great Roy Calcagne. I recall him working for the pharmaceutical industry, but he became an independent businessman and shared those responsibilities with Alicia. When Roy, a great husband and father, passed away, she made another great decision and married the irrepressible Jack Sullivan, who put up a sign at their beautiful house across from the Knoll- "Irishman for Hire", offering such services as drinking, carrying on, and telling entertaining stories of dubious accuracy. Yes, it is what we of the Ancient Race do. Jack was Irish through and through, and Alicia complemented him nicely. She did say to me a few years ago, that she had been fortunate, because she married the best- both times. How right she was.
In any case, after many years had passed, she reminded me that I was no longer "Little Bobby" and I had better get my act together, get "the show on the road", fly straight, and make some money. Otherwise, as Aunt Margie routinely said, you can go tell your story walking.
Well, Aunt Alicia generated many stories that would keep the company sipping and sitting for hours. But one big fact stands out with her passing. The first generation of Evergreen Knoll Kids- Alicia, Tommy, Bobby Gerstung, Dick and Freddie Keephart- are now history. Part of the Family Lore. Those old photos of them all together are precious, suitable for framing in the Crow's Nest.
And another big fact is now all too obvious. Barbara and I and Ed and Rosemary, and soon enough cousins Christina and Beth and Jim, will be the new generation of "Super Seniors" on Evergreen Knoll. Meanwhile, Aunt Alicia enters a new life and can again the great company she kept on here on Earth. Meanwhile, as our Hebrew brethren say, may her Memory be a Blessing.
Bob and Barbara Moffit
pictures of them are precious