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Zeke
"Jerry" Mailman From: "Paul Beiley" <pbeiley@cox.net>
Former garden column editor - Watsonville Pajaronian Ann, For a long time Zeke was three pages in an envelope to me, a garden column that he wrote for the Watsonville Register-Pajaronian. I was the editor of the garden page beginning in about 1981. One day as I returned from lunch a co-worker said Jerry Mailman was in the office and wanted to talk to me. I asked, What does he look like? "A lumberjack," she said. And there he was -- an apt description. And talk he did, the zesty Zeke talk about everything under the sun. Instant friends. One time he invited me out on his fishing boat docked in Monterey. I remember we passed through the channel and hit the rough water just as dawn was breaking. Zeke went up to the bow with the spray coming at him and started singing "O blow ye winds, hi-ho!" What can I say? The man enjoyed life. Years before it happened he made me promise to be at his 70th birthday party, because with all his health problems he didn't expect to see that day. Needless to say, I was there. And he made it full steam ahead for another decade and a half. Zeke wasn't one to bite his tongue when something occurred to him. One time I was staying with Ann and Zeke in Alameda on my way to a job interview. As I left the house that morning, he said, "You're not going for an interview in those nerdy clothes, are you?" The soul of tact. Actually nobody told me that Nehru jackets and skinny stovepipe pants were collectibles by 1989. From then on I signed my letters "nerdyclothes." Zeke knew I was at loose ends when I first moved to San Diego, a total stranger, and kept up a steady stream of letters. The man had a way with words. They poured out of him, about work and play, Skipper and Sailor, his medical problems (never complaining, almost a comedy routine). His business card said, among other things, "Garden communicator," which was well put. Back in the days of the garden column, he loved questions from readers that he could play off of and he loved the combo topic, cooking with things from the garden. As I was to learn, that was only a part of the things he did, and always with gusto. Zeke, you lived well and didn't leave much undone. Your friend, Paul Beiley ============================================== From: "TTocci" <ttocci@sprynet.com>
Zeke's CPA for many years - Zeke the Chef Dear Ann, I remember the great Thanksgiving dinners Zeke prepared. Even now, almost 20 years later, I still tell people that the best turkey I ever ate was the one Zeke roasted on the barbeque. I wish I knew the right words of comfort, but know we all cared about Zeke and we care about you. Love, From: BOXERCRAWFORD@aol.com Laura Crawford Alameda - Zeke the Chef Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2004 22:10:05 EST Whenever I think of Zeke, there is no one defining story. He is an omnibus of short quick snapshots and, yes, some tall tales. What can you say about a man who had a golden retriever that thought she was a yorkie and a cat that knows he is a dog. I will always see him in bib-overalls with a dog at his side. One of my first memories of Zeke is in the galley of the Aeolian Yacht Club with his sous chef Sailor sitting in the doorway. He was preparing a club dinner and I mistakenly asked if he needed help. Always the teacher, he put me to work peeling garlic. After watching me take forever to destroy one clove, he took away my knife. "This is how you peel garlic." Thwack, went the side of the knife crushing the clove and splitting the skin. "There, peeled, now can you peel garlic?" Yes, Zeke, now I can peel garlic. You will be missed Zeke. But the lessons taught will remain. Laura ============================================== From: "Eric Lister" <captericlister@hotmail.com>
- Everyone's friend Dear Ann, My condolences go out to you and the rest of Zeke's family. I had the pleasure of meeting Zeke during a layover in Narita, Japan a few years ago. We sat together and had dinner at the airport hotel. Although I only knew him for a few hours he made a big impression on me with his open and friendly style. I am sure I am not the only one who made his acquaintance for such a brief moment yet leaving such a lasting impression. Eric Lister Saipan ============================================== From: Hank Bernbaum - Zeke's friend from high school in Cleveland Date: March 26, 2004 Dear Ann:
Even though he has had much illness the news of Zeke's death via Cat's call augmented by the email is still a shock. In the recent last phone conversation he was planning another trip to Saipan. Zeke and I were friends from age 15, fellow high school social club members - and maintained contact thru the many changes and years of our lives. That's 65 plus years of friendship! He always had such a splendid spirit. Always looking cheerily at everything. He was tremendously active in good things and truly a genial extrovert - most likeable man! Over the years he regaled me with stories of his life - clambake cookery, commercial fishing, his boat, Saipan trips, the price in helping with your business, his journalistic horticulture efforts - he led a full life and enjoyed obvious every minute. I feel the loss keenly. He and I will not be talking again - it's over for a good man and a good friend.
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