My dad died last September 7th at 4:15 p.m. I was with him when it happened. He
was in hospice in the sunny living room of his 27th floor Brooklyn Heights
apartment with its view of the Manhattan skyline he adored.

For most of the day he moaned softly. At 3:45 or so, my sister
played one of his favorite records, scratches and all, on the
phonograph: Kinderszenen or Scenes from Childhood by Robert Schumann.

I know he loved that piece because just three weeks before we listened intently to this LP in his bedroom.

Just before he died he took three labored breaths. But there was no fear, no panic in his eyes.

Monte Ghertler, legendary advertising
copywriter and creative director, author, songwriter, connoisseur of
art, literature, music, philosophy, birdwatching, opera, and
thoroughbred horse racing, died peacefully in his Brooklyn Heights home
on September 7, 2008 surrounded by loving family members.  Devoted
husband of Hillary, father of Louise and Caroline, father-in-law of
Hugh Crawford and Jeffrey Jacobson, grandfather of Henry and Alice
Crawford and Sonya Jacobson, Cousin of Joan Fisher and former husband
of Edna Ghertler, Monte leaves behind many family, friends, and
admirers who will never forget his way with words, his intellect and
many interests, his love of books and music, his great sense of humor
and his irresistible personality.

Photo of my dad taken by me at the New Greek and Roman Galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in September 2007.