Kenneth Cartisano
I wish I could've seen Marvin before he passed away. I worked for him in the late 70's as a baker in his donut shop. He managed the business, the employees and his partners, (Shelley and Lillian?). He was such a cool and laid back guy. Nothing phased him so much as his partner Shelley. He and Mrs. Lieberman, she insisted we call her Sheila, were the kindest, wisest and most generous bosses I ever worked for. Marvin was one of the wittiest guys I ever knew, as well. He had a come back for any comment.
One year around Christmas time, he was handing out bonuses to all the employees, and he would call them in one at a time and hand them an envelop with a card and some cash. Of course it was a donut shop so all the employees were girls and women. Each of whom gushed, hugged and kissed him for his generosity. Since he alone was getting all the gratitude from 'the girls', I just assumed that his wife Sheila was off running errands somewhere. I was the last to get the bonus, and after all the hugging and kissing from the female employees, when he offered me my bonus check, he said, "I hope you're not expecting a kiss from me too."
In response I quipped, "Only if Sheila stands between us."
From the small office a few feet away I heard Sheila say, "Thank you, Kenneth."
I almost swallowed my tongue. I didn't even realize she was on the property let alone a few feet away in the office. But that's how cool they both were. I'll never forget either of them. He was an especially warm and intelligent man. Now, I wish I had hugged him.
Kenneth Cartisano