David Safon (1962 - 2006)

I probably saw David Safon fewer than a dozen times, certainly less than two dozen, but news of his untimely death of a heart attack reminds me again how the impact a person makes is related far more to their qualities than to the frequency with which you see them.

David was a fellow member of a group of 60 or so labor and employment professionals from around the country known as the Management Labor and Employment Roundtable which meets twice a year to discuss matters of professional interest. Although those meetings are great from a professional standpoint, the friendships that come out of not only the more formal meetings (which are not very formal), but the dinners, drinks, golf games and talks are much more meaningful.

In that setting, the impact of David is hard to overstate. Always with a laugh -- and a quip -- he is exactly what one would hope for as a friend and a colleague. Although he never took himself seriously, it was evident that he took what he did seriously and was an excellent lawyer.

Less than six weeks ago in our meeting in Charleston, at the end of a long winded discussion amongst the rest of us (we are lawyers after all) he summed up with perfect clarity the heart of what we had been saying. When someone commented on his ability to do just that, there was a pregnant pause, a big grin and then in that Brooklyn accent which will be forever missed whenever we gather -- he said with tongue firmly planted in cheek -- "Because that's what I do."

He did that ---- and many other things exceedingly well. He will be sorely missed by those of us who really did not know him nearly as well as we would have wished. We can only begin to guess how much a loss there will be for those who were lucky enough to have known him longer.

Here is the announcement from the managing partner of David's law firm, Ford & Harrison.

I am sad to announce the death of our partner, David Safon. David stayed over after our meeting in Atlanta on Saturday to play golf with a number of our lawyers. He had what appears to have been a massive heart attack during the game and was gone before aid could arrive.

David was a wonderful representative of our firm and an outstanding lawyer who was deeply devoted to his wife and children. He will be missed by all who knew him.

The funeral will be held on Monday , June 12 at 10:00 AM at Congregation Ohav Shalmon , 145 South Merrick Ave , Merrick , NY 11566.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to David's favorite charities :

Chai-Life Line 151 West 30th Street New York , NY 10001

or

Congregation Ohav Shalom 145 South Merrick Ave. Merrick NY 11566

In remembrance of David , the New York office will be closed on Monday.

Shalom.