“The Funniest Funeral Ever”
Above: Liza Donnelly, and Rick Meyerowitz
The f-bombs were flying fast and funnily at cartoonist Sam Gross’s funeral on Thursday. A number of other choice words were delivered in the spirit of celebrating Mr. Gross, who was famous for habitually salting his speech with what my mother used to call “language.” At times the Rabbi who presided over the proceedings, would lean over red-faced in his chair, laughing in hysterics. With family, friends, and colleagues filling the room, a series of speakers spoke of Mr. Gross’s life as friend, mentor, and cartoonist, as well as family man to his wife, Isabelle, and daughter, Misha (who cheered on the speakers). A short clip featuring Mr. Gross from a 2010 documentary film, Funny Business, was played, followed by a slide show of a fraction of Mr. Gross’s most beloved drawings.
Below: Patrick Giles,Sam Gross’s long-time intern
The presiding vibe of the funeral was laughter, not tears. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate a person whose life was dedicated to humor. At the conclusion, when we stood to leave, someone was heard saying, “funniest funeral ever.”
For a limited time, you can see a video of the funeral here.
In attendance from Sam’s cartoon world were The New Yorker‘s cartoon editor, Emma Allen, as well as the magazine’s associate cartoon editor, Colin Stokes, and the magazine’s jack-of-all trades, Stanley Ledbetter; also present were artists Warren Miller (whose work began to appear in The New Yorker in 1959), Hilary Campbell, Bob Eckstein, Christopher Weyant, Bob Mankoff, Nick Downes, Trevor Hoey, Pat Byrnes, Felipe Galindo, Andrea Arroyo, Eric Lewis, Steve Brodner, Mike Lynch, Tracey Berglund, Carolita Johnson, Emily Flake, Steve McGinn; short eulogies were delivered by Mr. Gross’s wife, Isabelle Gross, Pat Giles, (Mr. Gross’s long-time intern), as well as Mr. Gross’s National Lampoon colleague, Rick Meyerowitz, and New Yorker colleagues, Liza Donnelly, and this cartoonist.
I knew Sam Gross for many years in my position at SVA. He was a dear friend of Eileen McClash, and when we all got together it was Wonderful! Sam was acerbic and brilliant and one of the funniest and most talented visual satirists I’ve ever known! Thank you Sam for making us think and laugh at the absurdities of life! Your vision and your humor will never be forgotten!