Contributions to the tribute of Alan Saltzman | Feldman Mortuary

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Monday, January 4, 2021

I have been thinking of what to say to you, Lita. And to your children. Of course, it's never easy but I had to cull through volumes of memories to select just a few. Alan was truly larger than life. He embraced life with a gusto I often envied. Hearing the many tributes during his Shiva service on Zoom, I came to realize that he was indeed even more of an adventurer than I'd realized. 140 MPH in an MG? Goodness. Alan's enthusiasm for everything and everyone he met was a memory we should all cherish and embrace with our own hearts. He was in that way an example to follow. He lived the life he wanted and was always certain in his approach. He and I argued often about the tiniest things laughing as we volleyed. It was how the two of us would reignite our connection each time we met. I went to see him at UC Health during a prior admission and he didn't miss a beat. It was like we'd seen each other that morning. It was a kick to listen to him and Al Fine reminisce. Alan truly seemed to own the place and make it bend to his will. Justine and Ethan, remember the path he carved through life with such enthusiasm. That's a gift he left you and I hope you will cherish it. We could all benefit from a little more of Alan's approach in our own lives. We will all miss him intensely.

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David & Michelle Lieberman posted a condolence

Sunday, December 27, 2020

To Lita, Justine and Ethan Michelle and I want to extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to all of you. We've known both of you for many wonderful years and Alan was a good man and a good friend. He was a force of nature with his big and wonderful personality, his stories and his gift of always having something to say! We always enjoyed his presence and we'll never forget him. His very bright and shining light burned out way too soon. But we had a rare, bright, shining and perfectly-timed celestial event around the time of his passing that reminds us of Alan's bright light. Peace be upon him.

Ruth Parsons posted a condolence

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

To Lita, Ethan and Justine, George and I want to say how very sorry we are about Alan. We have known him for many years, first through playing steel drums with Lita and then as a friend. Alan was a sincere, kind, humble, funny easygoing and positive person. He showed interest in others and was fun to hang out with. He was a great fan of Lita's pan playing and nearly always showed up at our band performances. When performing you could always look up and see Alan being there in support. He loved to drive and once insisted on picking us up from the airport in bad weather and took us home to the mountains. Roads were snowy and our gate was locked so he helped us wheel our suitcases down our snowy driveway. A fun time was when he and Lita came to St. Martin and stayed with us for a week in our rented condo. We enjoyed the beach and good food. He discovered that he loved cucumber and fresh basil smoothies. He would inquire every morning if we still had cucumbers and basil in the fridge. We enjoyed dinner with him and Lita on their patio this past summer with Thai pick up for dinner. We will miss him You have spoken to his strength and determination in fighting for his life. I know you will take that strength and use it to help you get through this terrible loss. Ruth and George Parsons

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Lita Saltzman Posted Dec 25, 2020 at 12:09 PM

Thanks Ruth and George. I'm forever thankful for the fun trips we took together. We loved traveling with you both. Alan so enjoyed our trip to St. Martin visiting you two, and this picture is indeed from Blown Away Bar. It was the 4 of us (of course I cropped the 3 of us out) and you can see how happy and content he was at that moment.

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Simon Berger posted a condolence

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

The first time I saw Alan was when Gary and I picked him up at the airport his freshman year at college. He had a fashion sense even then. He had on a stripped shirt, plaid pants and saddle shoes. After introductions , I commented on his outfit. His retort was simple, I’m a college student, we’re supposed to be different. I think that became his mantra for his life . While we have not been in contact for many many years, I feel that a light has gone out in the world.

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Susan posted a condolence

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Lita-although we’ve never met, please accept my deepest sympathies to you, Justine, & Ethan over the loss of your ‘shining star’. I fondly remember Alan as my classmate, as my personal crush in junior high school, as an amazing athlete, as a really stand up guy. After reading the numerous comments from our classmates & community, your loss is abundantly shared. Hoping the following comments soothe your’s, Justines, & Ethans broken hearts: we are only given so much time here on earth, it warms my heart to learn that Alan found & created love & happiness with you Lita, Justine & Ethan. May Alan’s Memory be a Blessing. Not necessary to send recording, but thank you for offering. Respectfully- Marilyn Flax

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Beth Manners uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Lita, Justine and Ethan, Thinking of you and sending love. We were so lucky to have Alan for our friend. We first met him before your wedding and then visited in Pennsylvania. That’s where we really got to know Alan. Thinking back to all the fun times we had together, they always involved good food. You may not remember but during our Pennsylvania weekend you introduced us to cioppino. That was the first time we ever had it, and we think of you when we eat it and we now make cioppino. Then Alan visited us in Connecticut and couldn’t stop raving about the chili we served. It became legend -- for years he remembered it and we couldn’t remember what we had thrown together but loved his appreciation. Visiting you in Chicago, we then experienced eating Thai food for the first time and you guys knew all the best dishes to order (oh the larb!). Then I remember a crazy fun time at your apartment when we brought assorted Italian pastries and passed them around on separate plates. Take a bite of eclair and pass the plate, take a bite of cannoli and pass. Sharon was there and Jeff too. Remember our weekend in DC? Sure we saw all the sites but we also discovered Marakesh the Moroccan restaurant with a four-course meal that you ate with your hands. When you came to visit Westport with the kids, the fun continued and so did the yumminess with trips to NYC for sandwiches at Carnegie Deli. We managed to take in the City and even do some shopping too but we were happy to finish up at Serendipity for burgers and frozen hot chocolate, And when you visited Connecticut, Alan always made a beeline to Stew Leonard’s for the lobster rolls. We will always smile when we think about our trip to Las Vegas together with you guys, Sharon, Leigh, Ro and Steve. Spencer and Ethan were there and one afternoon they grabbed deli lunch with us and Alan and we had the biggest sandwiches ever. Ethan won the prize for almost finishing his reuben but I’m not sure he ate for the rest of the trip. Let’s not forget all of us going for tapas. We may have tried every dish on the menu. Last year, Thanksgiving when you visited, we met you both with Justine for breakfast at Golds. Alan was too down-to-earth to call a “foodie.” His deep love of food involved sharing with friends and family. And what comes with a meal is deep conversation, laughter, and understanding. Sitting down together is a time to truly connect. And Alan took that time to get to know us on a profound level. Alan always cared. We enjoyed every single meal and every conversation. We will remember them always and always cherish our friendship with Alan. With Love, Beth and Tim

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Sharon Posted Dec 23, 2020 at 6:13 PM

Thanks for the food tour - I remember so much of it! And the many times we spent talking and laughing together. I’ll miss that the most. Sharon

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Jacqueline Powers posted a condolence

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Lita, Justine and Ethan, I am so very sorry about Alan's passing. My heart goes out to all of you. I am glad I got to know Alan over the last few years, connected as I am to Lita through the love of the steel pan. Alan had a beautiful energy about him, a kind soul with a dry wit that I won't forget. He was warm and welcoming, quick to make you feel at home. An interesting man always giving you his full attention in conversation. He made Lita laugh and that in itself is a wonderful gift. May he Rest In Peace and may you all hold him close in your heart, cherishing memories and remembering that the veil is thin and he will be with you always wanting the very best for you and your happiness. Jackie Powers

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The family of Alan Saltzman uploaded a photo

Monday, December 21, 2020

In loving memory of

Alan

1949 - 2020