Rusty Siegel's Comments

RUSTY DO YOU REMEMBER GOING TO THE METS EXTRA INNING GAME. MY MOTHERS NEIGHBOR TOOK US HOPE ALL IS WELL MICHAEL HORNEY

Hey,
How have you been these last 40 years? Just got this web link, brings back tons of good memories. Ter and I are living in Danbury, CT... been here since 1986. Kids are grown and out of the house. Just us and the dog. How are your folks? Whenever I head to JFK on the Van Wyck I always look to see your old place on Park Drive East. Marty

Rusty,

Still remember you gave me your old bowling ball in 2nd or 3rd grade. Just wanted to say thanks! I am alive and well and living in Goldens Bridge NY. (Northern Westchester)

Hey Rusty, I do remember you and it would be great to see some pictures! I was trying to find Jonny Steinberg a few years back and remember seeing a photo of someone that looked like an older version of him on the net. Elliot confirmed it was him and that he is a lawyer in Minneapolis or somewhere there abouts. His father, Fabian, who I also remember is apparently still alive. Lets just say i didn't show my kids Bruce's note! All the best...Rob

Wow! That's a Jack Prince story, all right. Guess I'm surprised he would have sucker punched a kid so much younger than him. He had to be in his 20's by then - more than old enough to be charged with assault on a minor. That touch at the end - shake hands, like it never happened - that's vintage JP.

There were two Murphy sisters, Patty and Arlene(?). Arlene (I'm probably wrong on that) was the smarter, "pretty" one (think Lois Lane; now think LL's counterpart in Bizarro's world, if you know what I mean (if not, check Wikipedia ;-)). Patty was the muscle. She had to be 5' 10" and 200 lb. She looked a lot like Terry and had a similar temperament. I was flat out afraid of her. I don't have any memories of them (just maybe Patty) before I got to Parsons Jr. High. And the one searing memory I have of them together was Patty baiting some poor schlemiel with the classic "What are you looking at, asshole?" Her sister was goading her on as I was getting out of there. I pitied the fool...

To be fair to all the Murphy's, my understanding was that their home life was abusive. Their father was a super, I recall, in the Regency apts and a hard drinker, according to my old man, who would know.

Bobby was the oldest, and the best of the litter. He could be a bully, but he wasn't mean. He was a good athlete with a sense of humor, even charm. I liked him, though he tried to dunk my head (and several others) in a shallow puddle one time, calling it a "Jewish baptism".

But here's a Bobby Murphy story for you: I think someone on here mentioned a football team out of Vleigh Place that played serious tackle against other area teams. Bobby was a captain on that team, as I recall it. I wasn't ready for that level of play, but I was there as Bobby and the guys were suiting up one Saturday afternoon. And I watched Bobby hand out metal rods to the defensive guys - the kind you slip into ankle weights to change the weight? - and show them all how to wrap them into the tape around their wrists. He was gleefully in his element. Our team won. The other team was lucky they lost.

They don't make them like the Murphy's any more. Least I hope not...

Ah, the bullies! They should have their own forum here - but I'd be hesitant to start one. Wonder what Jack's doing these days? Wonder if he'll ever find his way here? Watch out!

Good to hear from you. When did you get out to California?

I remember the evening of Bobby Kennedy's assassination very well. You and I, I think, were playing Strat-O-Matic baseball (that dates us). And we hear either on the TV or radio that Bobby Kennedy was shot, and the game goes kaput, and we are either glued to the TV or radio from then on. That's the way I remember it. And I may be totally wrong.
Robert and I see each other once in a while. He lives in Greenwich Village. We talk on the phone every couple of months, and see each other about two to three times a year, when our schedules permit. He sold the Park Dr. East house a couple of years ago, following the death of his dad.

I knew Bobby Bucko. I remember making a soapbox car out of an abandoned baby buggie undercarriage with him one summer, down at The Circle, which is what we called the cul-de sac where the rental office was. My folks knew his mother.

Paul and Phil Say-Nothing were interesting characters. Phil had either been or was a contender for American Checkers Champion. He was really good. I didn't realize you could be that good at checkers. Phil was the younger one, talked a bit more, and could be hotheaded. Paul was really the nicest guy in the world. I do remember Jack giving him grief, and not only Jack.

Jack's probably doing okay. He was a good athlete and a pretty sharp guy. He went to Queens College, as I recall, and was a Dylan fan till he went electric at the Newport Folk Festival. I remember him ranting about it. He would have been a great guy but for that temper.

Which gets us to Lennie Bloch. Lennie was my best friend in high school (though he went to Bowne and I went to Jamaica), and the best man at my wedding. I remember the summer before I went off to college: Lennie and I were playing stickball against Jack and somebody. And we were winning, so you know Jack was getting testy.

Lennie wasn't about to be intimidated (I was), and was mouthing back to Jack. Next thing you know, Jack's pitch hits Lennie in the shoulder. Lennie throws the bat at Jack. Jack storms toward the plate. Next thing I know, I'm holding Jack up against the wall, about a half foot off the ground, wondering what the hell I just did. I quickly let him down, and he didn't go after me, much to my relief. But he dubbed me and Lennie "the Psycho and his Sidekick", and I don't know that I ever saw him after that. I disappeared for a couple of years, and Jack had moved on by the time I moved back.

Lennie's older brother was Robert - he was very smart and headed into medicine as I recall. I'd be curious to know what direction Paulie went in, as he seemed like an interesting kid; but he wasn't into sports and I never knew what he was into. Ira was probably the best athlete.

I lost track of Lennie, though we lived together a while in college and hung out a bit after I moved back to the neighborhood. He lived in upper Manhattan while I was going to Columbia U, 'round '72-'74. I'd really like to get some contact info on any of the Blochs.

I remember Allie Stern's name and remember liking him. But I don't remember any stories. Neil and Arnie Sternheim are names I remember, no more.

Thanks for remembering all these guys, Rusty!
Rick

send me an email and i will give you my office number
elevine@levsel.com
ps- do you remember cathy baker

how are you
boy it has been a long long time
my dad lived in your apt til he passed away and his wife still lives there
what type of law do you practice

Hi Rusty - I remember that name! But you should post a picture, so I can attach it to your face. 8-)

It was great to hear those names again - I remember them, every one. They were older than me, so I'm surprised - and envious - you got to know them so well, being six years younger. Well, I got to know Jack Prince pretty well - he was responsible for my choosing Anthropology as my first major. I have lots of Jack Prince stories. And I knew Kevin Tuohey, but we never liked each other much, having been mistaken for each other for years before we finally met. Good bball player though. I'd love to play him now.

The Murphy brothers (and sisters) are a whole conversation of their own. After Mitch, they may be the most pervasive common personal memory the kids of that era share. In fact, what struck me most when I came back to the neighborhood and the schoolyard in the early 70's was the disappearance of the bullies - and the incredible brass you little kids showed to older kids! But don't get me started...

Joe Krebs! I can still hear Mitch's distinctive, ascending announcement of his name - Joe KREBS! I'd forgotten all about him. Good athlete, nice guy, never got to know him. Same with Joe Cool: except I only remember Mitch saying his name - I don't remember him very clearly. I'd almost forgotten Herbie Doerr's name, too - but not him. I hung around with Herbie for a while (when none of his real friends were around) - we were close in age, but I looked up to him as a good guy.

And the Queen of Peace crowd! Our local goodfella's. Makes me smile just to hear their names again. A lot of my early stickball memories reside with those guys. Was it Johnny Isofano had the smallpox scars? I recall he was a lefty and hot-tempered. Joey Tambourino was a hoot - I remember him drinking on the stoop by the stickball courts Friday nights. He always made me go down in the well after the ball for him, and I got real fast at it. But Paul Pelligrino brings us full circle: it was Paul who taught me how to pitch the fluke ball - digging your knuckles into that Pennsy Pinkie so deep you could flick-spin it into an abnormally sharp-breaking pitch. He threw it as an overhand sinker, with decent control - not that it mattered, as people would swing at them as they bounced. But I have to say I perfected that pitch: I'd eventually throw it overhand, side-arm, and sub-marine with control enough that people wouldn't swing at it - and just watch it hook itself into the corner. Of course, I practiced hours a day...

I hope I taught you that pitch.

Sorry to hear you're living in California, too far to make it to the reunion. But I'd love to hear your stories. Here's some more names for you: remember the Del Vecchio brothers? Albert and Richie? And speaking of brothers (forgive me) - remember the Say-Nothing Brothers, Paul and Phil?

More!
Rick

Rusty: One memory that stays with me. I was over at your house the day Robert Kennedy was shot.

Thanks for responding. Live on 79th and York Avenue in the City. If you are ever in town, let me know. Would love to see you. How are your parents. Again, thanks for the Chicken Pox. Can't believe we got them at 17. Warren

Hey, glad you remember me. If you remember Berger and not me I would be upset. Everything OK, I guess. Ever get back to the old neighborhood? I do from time to time. Still looks pretty good. What type of law do you practice?

Counselor Siegel, Alan Harris here. Remember me? You better. How goes it? I am a court reporter here in Miami.

Rusty, can't believe you write to Yumiko and not me. You're the one who gave me the chicken pox during driver's ed when we were 17. Remember, Mr. Hanzig (from Jamaica HS) taught the class.

Rusty - Just checked the 164 site for the first time in a while and saw your name. Remember you and our frinedship well. Would love to hear about your life after you left the hood. My email is cohen108@bellsouth.net.

Jerry

Hi Rusty!
Thank you for ID'ing our former classmates.
I was so sure it was Gina Star and not Wolfman though.Thought she was pretty and always wore pretty dresses. Strange how those things stand out after 40-some years.
How long have you been in Fullerton?
Do you miss NY?

Yumiko

Comment by Stewart Koenig 31 seconds ago Delete Comment That's who it is. Check out:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6347740859475624059&ei=NCKXScHVGJ7OqwLgo_DDCw&q=robert+benezra