Leo B.

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About Client

Leo B. was our client for 2 years. He was born in 1919, in Amsterdam, Holland. His family immigrated to the U.S. around 1938. They lived in Riverdale in the Bronx, on Nederlander Avenue (translates to the Netherlands!)

Leo had many careers including upholsterer, tailor, landlord. He was very crafty and could repair almost anything. At one of his homes, Leo and his son built an extension to their house complete with bedroom and full bath. Leo loved puttering around the house, fixing things, gardening, doing maintenance, and cooking many dinners for us.

He was a true family man. He loved baking cookies from scratch with the kids. He was known as “The Birthday Fairy” because when you woke up on your birthday, there was a homemade cake waiting on the kitchen table in the morning. The kids did not know who brought it, hence “The Birthday Fairy.” Leo taught us a lot of Dutch traditions.

Leo was married until his wife passed on in 1988. Leo visited her grave every week until he no longer drove a car (at age 93) and then his daughter in law would take him several times a year. He always had her picture on him. Paul, their only child, died in 2006.

Leo went to live with Paul’s wife, Diane, and her family. Diane took great care of Leo and, interviewed all the aides who cared for him. The aides always prepared his favorite meals, just the way he liked them! Even though Leo needed a walker, he was always trying to get away without using it – he just did not like using a walker, even though it essential for his balance. Leo was the most adorable man! When the nurse visited, she asked him all the time if he would marry her! Leo would say, “You are too busy”! And let out the funniest laugh. He was very unpretentious, and he appreciated all the care we provided.

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1919 – 2018

Leo used to apologize to Diane when he could no longer shovel the snow or mow the lawn (at around 94 years old). He walked 2 miles a day till he was about 96. On a Thursday night, you could find Leo having dinner down the block with his friend “Jane”, who was also in her nineties. It was always a surprise to the new HHA’s, when Leo would say, “can you walk me down to Jane’s home for dinner?” Leo always looked forward to it and arrived home with cookies for the next day’s snack. Jane passed on after Leo at age 95. Leo’s neighbor, Harold passed on at 97. Harold and Leo used to borrow each others’ tools, and yard equipment and sit in the driveway and schmooze together. Leo had a good long life! God bless Leo!

A sweet reminder of “Leo” walking to Jane’s house

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