Remembering Neil Weiner by Ed Schecter Neil Weiner was one of the best friends a guy growing up in VS could have. Neil helped teach me how to drive, as my parents were either to scared, nervous or not around. Palling around VS, going to the Forest road dances, drinking, driving, dating, seemed like Neil was always there for me, won't forget those days in his little red car with the roof down, cruising . We practiced wrestling at his house and he was one of the influences that made me go out for the soccer team. I tried to get him to run track, but that wasn't for him. We kept in touch after college, and he worked in NJ, mainly in the electronics industry, Aiwa, and other such companies, while I lived in NJ so we would meet for lunch once a month or so to stay in touch. His job took him to CA, lived in Irvine in the mid 80's, we only saw each other when we visited there or he came home and visited his mom and sister's family. A favorite time was when our kids were about 3 and 4 in Disneyland, pushing strollers, the thrill of watching the young kids interact with each other and the Disney characters. Neil and Teri would send holiday greetings each year, pictures with little updates on what they were doing. He would email me some jokes or pictures letting me know he was still thinking about me. His son Matthew and daughter Lindsay both played soccer in rec, on school teams, and Neil of course coached them, as i remember him being very good at giving instructions on matters such as driving, dating, wrestling, and dealing with your parents when coming home, late and smelling of alcohol. He succumbed to colon cancer after beating the disease for one year. His last holiday greeting card insisted that he was fine, and in remission, forcefully telling me to get an annual exam for colon cancer and that if found early enough was treatable and beatable. I learned of his passing from his Mom, while on vacation, she left a vague message to call her, not saying that he had died, only asking if she had reached the right Ed Schecter. In calling her back, it was not so much a shock, as I guess her phone call could only mean one thing Neil's wife Teri had a difficult time communicating with anyone, so I sent a long letter to her and have not heard back, I hope that someday when in CA. I get a chance to see his children and tell them what a great person and friend their dad was. Sincerely, Ed Schecter [Do you have a photo of Neil other than his senior picture? Maybe it's while he was in South or maybe as an adult? Email me and let's get it on the site. All photos will be returned] |
| excerpt from the Legend: Athletically minded Neil Weiner participated in Varsity Soccer and baseball, Varsity Club and weightlifting. Co-Manager of the candy stand, Neil also was on the Class Council. |
| In Memoriam Page |
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| 1970 - Senior picture - South High School |
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| Want to contribute a rememberance or a photograph of Neil? Click here, and put it in an email. It will be posted in the next website update. |
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