A Tribute to My Father
Never Too Late to Celebrate a Life Well-Lived:
A Fitting Eulogy from Daughter to Dad
Photo Courtesy of Jolie Loren Photography
Losing a parent is far from easy.
My father passed away during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic when many of us were on lockdown. While we couldn’t celebrate his life with close family and friends then, we decided to do so this year.
My brother and I planned to hold a small Celebration of Life gathering on the tennis courts at The Boca Raton, as Dad spent much of his time there when not working or parenting. But a rainy morning moved us to a beautiful resort Plan B, the Venetian Room within the Yacht Club of The Boca Raton and right along the resort marina and Intracoastal Waterway. Another fitting location as my dad built his life along and loved the waterway.
This longtime dentist, U.S. Navy Captain, husband, father, grandfather and friend influenced many, especially his little girl.
Eulogies help us honor a life, bring comfort to family and friends and keep legacies alive.
Below is the eulogy I wrote and delivered to salute my dad, a one-of-a-kind guy who spent a lifetime guiding, providing and a whole lot more.
There were a few places we would usually find Dad.
If at home, he’d be reading the paper or a book with a cup of black coffee, working at his desk in the den, maybe picking mangoes or key limes, talking to neighbors Jack and Debby Oxley at the hedge or the Subermans along 5th Avenue at the end of our drive. Or tinkering on his Boston Whaler, trying to recruit the rest of us or Lee Marchildon to help. Maybe in the canoe on his way to Bill Shubin’s (although I hear that was just late-night shenanigans back in the day). Maybe dozing by the pool with a hat down over his face… or wide awake with a cigar in hand, music playing from the cottage while he watched the boats go by. Or back inside in front of the TV watching the news or sports, with an Irish or Scottish whiskey by his side.
If Dad wasn’t home, he was driving us to school in his maize-colored Targa Porsche, music on, some great chat, some frustrating chat, and for those other drivers that frustrated him, his middle finger on the ready and left hand on the horn for what felt like 20-straight-seconds….BUT….then a nice school drop off, a kiss, a smile and a wave. Every morning.
Then he was at work sharing space, talents and years of partnership and true craftsmanship with Drs. Clive and Neil Boner. Together, with their wonderful staff and often collaborating with South Florida’s best dental specialists - some here tonight (Drs. Mullaney and Hancock, Dr. Crossen, Dr. LaSalle, Anne LaSalle with us too) - they fixed and created perfect teeth for those of us lucky enough to have them as our dentists.
Dr. K… One of the pioneers in the private practice of dentistry in Boca Raton, opening his first office here in 1961. He eventually focused primarily on restorative, cosmetic and perio-prosthetic dentistry. He was a member of several professional groups, a longtime officer of the Palm Beach Junior College Dental Research Clinic and one of the original dental staff members of Boca Raton Community Hospital, now Boca Raton Regional Hospital.
If not at work, or at our events, we knew to find him on the resort courts. Whether it was the Resort’s courts at their first location on the north end of the property, or the current location with a beautiful view of the Resort Tower Dad watched being built in the 1960’s, the tennis courts served as Ed Kornblue’s “happy place.” The Big House was his happiest place, but the tennis courts were where he could escape to practically every other day of his life in Boca. Now remember, this was life without cell phones…and we knew we could call Jane and the gals in the shop… and get in touch with Dad. He loved hitting tennis balls, he loved the pros, the team in the shop, he loved Pierre and Jean who - to this day - keep the courts in tip-top shape.
For Dad, I think Director of Tennis, Erik Silver, was part-son, part-friend…..part-therapist. Tennis and golf pros, coaches of all kinds - often are - they hear all of our stories! In the early years, Dad competed hard on the Resort courts, once achieving a state ranking of #3 in men's junior veteran doubles and #24 in singles - Ted Withall the pro then. Later, I think he enjoyed the water breaks as much as the tennis, discussing with Erik and his tennis buddies the ups and downs in the sports world that week, the challenges and blessings in life and just.. sharing stories on all fronts. Dad would gather us on the courts too for one-on-one play and family doubles matches and while there were moments I didn't enjoy his coaching me and days I didn’t always feel like playing, I’m so glad I did. Those were some of the best days with Dad. And the kids and I are fortunate enough to continue that ‘Kornblue tennis tradition’ on the courts today.
Dad was a “ball” sport guy. Born in 1932, he grew up playing stickball on the streets of the Bronx and later soccer while his parents ran a diner in Manhattan. Not much money in his pockets to afford tickets, he watched Yankees games from the building rooftops, but loved the Giants. Dad graduated from the Bronx High School of Science at the age of 16. He then took the train to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan where he studied hard, played hard and worked hard - working dishwashing jobs to get by (some in sorority house kitchens…brilliant move, I might add). In between class, football games and college fun, he and three buddies even fixed up a 1932 Model A Ford….they each chipped in $25 to buy it for $75. Sold it two years later for $125.
Then on to N-Y-U’s College of Dentistry, and the summers working at the Concord Resort Hotel in upstate New York. Bellhop, car valet, then worked his way up to bar waiter. He helped and served Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes alike.
Then on to the U-S Navy Dental Corps serving on active duty for three years as the dental officer aboard the Battleship U.S.S. Iowa, the U.S.S. Tidewater and the 6th Fleet Flagship, U.S.S. Newport News. A Naval Reservist for 27 years, achieving the rank of Captain as well as the local candidate guidance officer for the Naval Academy for over 25 years. Local high schoolers interested in the Naval Academy had to go through Captain Kornblue! I remember answering our front door for many of them, as they came over for their interviews.
In 2020, after Dad passed away, U.S. Navy Captain Dennis Farrell wrote me this:
“I wanted to write a quick note to let you know how many Naval Officers got their start *because of your Dad. Your Dad was AWESOME.....He was a Blue and Gold Officer and explained the challenges of the Naval Academy....got me ready for those challenges....and fought like (*hec) to get me in! He was in my corner. At the time, I had no idea what a dentist was doing to help me get in....or understand the process. With the clarity of hindsight....I understand what his role was....and realize how he was able to shape the Navy, our Nation....and frankly, the world. Your Dad gave me the confidence that I could be successful at the Academy. He gave me the tools to excel. I got my start in the Navy, because of the tireless efforts and help of your Dad! I am now a Captain in the Navy. I have the honor of Commanding two warships, the USS COLE (DDG 67) and USS SAN JACINTO (ha-seen-toe) (CG 56)....I have been all around the world and served several tours at the Pentagon.....I have loved every second of my time in the Navy....and will always be indebted to your Dad for not only pushing me to get in the Naval Academy....but setting me up for success!”
He did that for his kiddos too.
I will always be indebted to my dad for pushing me to work hard at school and on the field… and for setting me up for success in my broadcasting career and in life.
For showing us the beauty in travel and photography and of moments on or near the water on or near a mountain and the beauty of sitting with someone special on a bench whether along the Boca inlet, on a tennis court, along a North Carolina mountain trail or on a Colorado chairlift.
He showed us the fun that exists in competition and sports, the fun surrounding anything with a maize-n-blue block M on it and he showed us the joy we can all find over coffee and cocktails (but you better make his correctly!)…
If you didn’t, Ed Kornblue would let you know.
He could roar like a lion. He wouldn’t or couldn’t hide his anger and frustrations. I tell my kids….Pa Blue yelled and it didn’t feel good when he did… he could yell hard, but he loved us that hard too. As tough as he was on us, he was also that good to us.
He loved us and most importantly, he loved our mom. He never gave up searching for ways to make Mom’s cancer go away. I still picture Mom and Dad holding hands in hospital rooms….sitting so close to each other on Christmas mornings, so far apart at our sports games (strategic on Mom’s part), how good they looked on the way out the door to the Hospital Ball or laughing over a meal with the Kimmels, the Oxleys, the Shubins, Wargos, Shuffs, Robertsons, Morrisons, Smiths, Toomeys, Rutherfords, Careys, the Marchildons, the Cooks and all of their best friends. They had many. Together, they helped build this town… the downtown, the hospital, the Resort, the charities, the polo, the sports leagues, the families…and… the teeth for them all.
Dad turned the hall light on every night for me as a little girl and answered my phone calls on-a-dime as an older girl. He read us ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ year after year and loved when my children, Maya, Clay and Cody, often read to him in his final years. They laughed, they cuddled, they ate lots of ice cream and as much as Alzheimer’s took from him, Dad never forgot to say to us… ‘I love you’ - or ‘Bullshit.’
So let’s keep on toasting Ed Kornblue for all that he was….
All that he did for each and every one of us here and those who couldn’t be here tonight.
I toast you all for supporting us through these last few years, for supporting me and my children through it all and for your forever friendship.
Raise your glass… or go get one….
Here’s one of Dad’s favorite toasts:
There are good ships and wood ships,
Ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships,
and may they always be.
GO BLUE!
Photos Courtesy of Jolie Loren Photography
Cheers and many thanks to the U.S. Navy representatives for their most honorable salute, The Boca Raton Event/Catering Department for making planning so easy, Boca by Design for beautiful Michigan-themed floral arrangements & tablecloths, The Boca Raton Racquet Club team for decades of support and our close family and friends who took the time to join us for a Kornblue Sunday by the sea!