2004 NETWORKING® MAGAZINE’S DAVID AWARD HONOREE.

JOHN FUNK

Philanthropist

Affectionately called a "wonderful gentlemen," John Funk was known for his "happy demeanor," "easy smile" and the "twinkle in his eye." It was exactly that gentlemanliness that attracted his wife Agnes Trill Funk, whom he married in 1968.

Although John, who passed away this September at age 94 spent just slightly more than one-third of his life married to Agnes, those 35 years were filled with caring for others, whether through hands-on volunteer work - like managing socials, selling raffle tickets, and promoting the theater and choir at the St. Matthias Catholic Club in Ridgewood, Queens - or through his major commitment to children in need of heart surgery.

To become a philanthropist, a person must have a generous heart. John Funk had that generous heart and he touched the hearts of people of all ages and in all walks of life. Through his philanthropy, he gave the gift of himself - and he's remembered widely for his gift. Please note that the many phrases seen in quotation in this article are actual expressions of thanks and love for John's thoughtfulness that were written in a memory book kept by Agnes in the days after John passed away. Who better to express John's gift of self than those whose hearts he touched, for they show that John "gifted us with his friendship."

A talented dancer and singer, John showed his enthusiasm in musicals, shows and revues. Folks who shared the stage with him voice "great memories" of his appearances in shows like "Guys and Dolls" and of his rendition of "Luck Be a Lady Tonight," sung to another volunteer actor. John had "a love for good music with a generous refrain." During one particular show, several dancers were having difficulty learning the routine, so he invited the troupe to his home to practice in his living room. On another occasion, John, always "the life of the party," was cast in a tap revue, and in the final number, as the ladies tapped their way off stage, John took off his wig, revealing his masculinity.

John is remembered as a "dapper Dan" and for his "elegant demeanor," and many a guest remembers his song and dance performance at his 90th birthday party. Friends recall, too, how he loved to dance at the Interfaith Nutrition Network Innkeeper's Balls. Although he will be missed at church musicals and nonprofit fundraisers, many acquaintances believe he will "dance in heaven," where he will be "doing a heavenly show" and continuing "to supply the energy, now for a different place." "Thanks for the Memories, John."

Retiring in the mid-1970s and moving to Long Island, John's giving plan included assisting Meals on Wheels through St. Francis Hospital, allowing this "soft spoken" man to interact with shut-ins. During those 20 years of service, he often helped people with household chores and ran errands.

At the Long Island Philharmonic, John and Agnes volunteered to distribute flyers and collate mailings. Agnes remembers a day when the mailing machine broke down. Undaunted, John led the volunteers by showing them how to line up the open envelopes, glue side up, run a sponge across the set, and gently press them closed in one swift, simple motion. John often volunteered his services, too, helping with mailings for the annual Don Monti Memorial Foundation ball.

John loved children, and his kindness benefited St. Mary's Children and Family Services in Syosset and St. Christopher Ottilie, and the couple volunteered to manage annual barbeques for Schneider Children's Hospital. With Agnes, he was a recipient of the Gift of Life Angel Award for his sponsorship of 12 needy children from developing countries for lifesaving surgery. And John did more than donate money, he pushed children's wheelchairs and took them to the circus or a family restaurant. Even if the children didn't speak English, John knew how to communicate without language. "His smile went a long way," tells Agnes. "Children know."

With Agnes, John was supporting their housekeeper's daughter Nicole. Now eight years old, Nicole remembers her "fun time with grandpa" - playing games and laughing. In the memory book, she writes how he would read to her and "we'd fall asleep together in the chair."

Although Agnes says John felt he wasn't deserving of the David Award, she knows otherwise, adding that he "set an example; he was always there to help others."

John believed in people, and he encouraged people to believe in themselves. He would say, "if you set your mind to anything, you can do it." He instinctively knew when a person was at a low point, and would remind them that anything is possible. "He was ever present; he took the time to listen to your story."

Agnes recalls that John "did a lot with a little." If they spotted bicycles at a yard sale, John would purchase them and give them away to children. John was always buying batteries for the neighborhood children's toys. Agnes remembers when the couple helped to make a thousand Thanksgiving baskets for needy families through St. Mary's Church in Roslyn. When they returned home, they had no gas or electric on a bitter Thanksgiving afternoon. John offered to take Agnes out for dinner, but she declined, and the couple sat together in good humor and ate cold sandwiches. Thinking of the irony of the day's situation, Agnes adds, "We chuckled a lot."

John Funk's life was defined by his recognition of people's needs and his ministering to them, as well as by the joy and laughter he shared with others. Ed Diaz of Latin Magazine mirrored John's spirited, bantering ways at a gathering honoring people of Hispanic heritage, organized by Agnes earlier this year. He had a special nametag made for John that identified him as "philanthropist and philanderer."

In John's memory book, North Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony D'Urso writes that John will be remembered for his "love of people" and will be "forever in our minds and hearts."

NETWORKING® January 2004