Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Media / News Jeff Felshman, RIP
Posted by Alison True on 11.25.09 at 05:25 PM
Jeff Felshman, a Reader contributor, staff writer, and irreplaceable friend, passed away today. It was unexpected. He was 52.
Once we wrap our heads around this we'll be posting a collection of his stories. He was a true generalist, writing about local characters, criminal justice, single guys' apartments—his brother-in-law Lewie. I assure you, it's only a small percentage of the stories he had to tell. He knew more crazy yarns than anyone I've ever met, and he had an uncanny knack for stumbling on new ones. I'm heartbroken he won't get to write any more of them.
Comments (21)
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I just scanned the archives and was astonished at how much Jeff Felshman contributed to the Reader over the years. Undoubtedly his most moving story was the first-person piece he wrote ten years ago, after his wife, Grace, died of cancer, leaving him with their two young sons: http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/among….
Jeff, you are missed.
like
dislikeThis is both shocking and heartbreaking. I can't imagine what his boys are experiencing. Maybe Jeff would have been able to write about such a loss. So not right and so sad.
I met Jeff when he and Grace were first getting together. I've been privileged to enjoy his friendship ever since. I'm holding Tracy and the boys close in my heart now.
Jeff was my cousin through marriage and he always felt like more of a blood relation. I felt closer to him than any of my blood relations. He was very funny, intelligent, an amazing writer with his own unique slant on things and an all around great guy! Devoted father, husband and son. Thanks for the, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album Jeff. I will miss him very much.
Jeff's put these Reader stories up on his own Web site, jeffreyfelshman.com.
"Gay 90s"
[Jeff preferred the tile "Two Peters."]
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/gay-90s/Content?oid=887666
"The Fall and Rise of Anita Brick"
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-fall-and-rise-of-anita-brick/Content?oid=883325
"Toy Story"
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/toy-story/Content?oid=893504
"War Bonds"
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/war-bonds/Content?oid=895017
"Among the Missing"
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/among-the-missing/Content?oid=900153
Jeff Felshman: A loving and devoted husband and father. I can't believe he is gone. Truly an irreplacable, one of a kind original. Will always be missed. My thoughts and heart, are so with his wife and kids. Susan Campagna Chait
Wow. I just heard. I haven't seen Jeff in ten years, but I worked with him at Ann Sather's in the eighties and nineties. We used to talk in pirate lingo at the bar, practice singing doo-wop, and share snide stories. He had me believing his first son was named Mookie for nearly a year. What a great guy... Rest in peace, my friend.
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My husband, George X Hale, and I have known Jeff since the 70s. George and Jeff were in the same band -- a punk rock band! Those were times when we were leaving our private eras of irresponsibility to take on kids and spouses. We moved from Manhattan to Greenacres, Washington. Jeff moved to Chicago. We never saw Jeff after that, but we kept in pretty good touch through the phone. We sort of new Grace through my irregular calls to Jeff, often late at night. I have not had the chance to speak to Tracy often enough, but it was obvious how much Jeff loved his family. I spoke to Jeff on Facebook on Tuesday. He told me he was sick. He said he had been shivering so much and clutching his blankets so tightly his chest hurt. I wish I had seen what was happening, the symptoms he was having. Jeff's last word to me was, "Oy." Jeff was the Jewish Godfather to my Episcopalian son. I'm grateful for all the time I knew Jeff, even though most of the time was spent on the phone. He is a good friend. I refuse to say "was" yet.
Deborah Lawrence Hale
Spokane, WA
Oops --
we kept in touch with Jeff through the phone and for the last few years through this magical slate boards -- the internet.
Wow. I've known his son since our freshman year in high school. This is shocking. And extremely sad. He was a very nice guy.
Jeffrey, his father, Neil and I were given a birthday party several years ago by his step mother Josleen, my dearest and most valued friend. I wish we all could go back and detour around this event.
Many hearts are sad tonight.
Very sorry to hear this. I worked with Grace at Flying Fish and the family moved into my old apartment. A great guy and a great Dad and husband. RIP Jeff.
Jean and Mike Lotus
I'm shocked and deeply saddened to hear Jeff is gone. I worked with Jeff at Powell's Bookstore for a few years in the late 80's. He always had a great smile and a wonderful off-handed story for any moment. His laugh was always distinctive and infectious. He was there when I was shot and then wrote a major Reader feature on it and stayed friends for years. After Powell's we would run into each other every six months or so and catch up - Grace's passing, marrying Tracy, his new baby, watching the boys grow up so fast. The world has suffered a great loss with Jeff's passing, a true bon vivant.
Greg Allen
Here's that story about you, Greg. Sort of about your shooting, sort of about a lot of other things too.
http://tinyurl.com/ykzqk34
I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news that Jeff has passed away. We kept in touch for awhile after Grace passed, and then went our separate ways. I have many warm and wonderful memories of hanging out with Grace and Jeff and the boys. Jeff and I were kindred spirits of sorts - Jewish kids who stepped outside the expectations and confines of our culture to experience the world beyond. My heart goes out to Tracy and the family.
A good man gone ahead. Sad news indeed for those of us who knew him left behind.
Dave J.
I came late to this sad news, after reading a tribute to Felshman by the editor of the Best American Sports Writing:
http://verbplow.blogspot.com/2009/11/memor…
Jeffrey Felshman was one of the Reader's greatest writers.
As lounginglori said above Jeff was our cousin by marriage but we felt closer than our other relatives. He knew my wife, Kathy was pregnant with our son and he looked at us and said I know something you guys are hiding. He had great people skills. Jeff you will be missed.
Jon Turchin
I just found out this news about Jeff passing on when I googled his name. I wanted to thank him for writing the amazing article about my husband's cousin Shalom Brayer and Shalom's reunion with the lady who helped him survive WWII. I am saddened to find out he passed away. His article is a cherished part of our family history, and a contribution to the documentation of the holocaust.
I was wondering if this is the Jeffrey Felshman I befriended in White Plains, NY, around 1962 or 1963. I recall him singing, " If I Had a Hammer" repeatedly when we were about five years old. If anyone can verify this, please leave a post or email pegasus9847@aol.com. Thank you.
