Evan Domowitz

Irving Domowitz was a unique member of the Domowitz Clan. Irving passed away in 1978 which was a long time ago. However, his spirit still lives on through myself and my brother Ted. I miss him more as the years go on and I feel cheated that he was called home as he and my Mom, Muriel were just about to enter the best years of their lives.

As some of you may or may not know Irving was a fan of the horses. To be more specific he was a fan of betting on the horses, playing the ponies, Aqueduct, Belmont, Yonkers, OTB and the now defunct Roosevelt Raceway. He was his own handicapper and a day at the track also would mean meeting his cronies like Morris and Solly among others.

There were many Friday nights as a very young boy I recall my Dad heading out to the track and leaving Muriel to care for us. There were also many times that Irving would visit the track unknown to Muriel. I know that this does not sound cool but I need to state that Irving never remissed on his family, husbandly and fatherly duties.

It was an overcast weekday afternoon. Irving worked for the Postal Service and at that time he was either working nights, or had 2 days in the middle of the week off. Irv would take me with him on many of his adventures just to get me out of the house so Muriel could tend to Ted who was an infant. Some of those adventures included Harry the Barber for a haircut, Aunt Ida's on Ditmas which seemed to be a popular hangout for many, Canarsie Pier, or Nathan's in Coney Island where I recall walking on the boardwalk with a white bag of Nathan's fries drenched in ketchup.

On this particular day we drove from Elmhurst Queens to Linden Blvd. to a place called Coney Island Joe's. Coney Island Joe's was a shack on Linden Blvd. which served up hot dogs, hamburgers, and fries. I never knew why it was called Coney Island Joe's but as a four year old I assumed it was a place where one could go to get the same kind of food as Nathan's Famous and not have to actually go to Coney Island. I recall one time going there and watching a groups of teens lift a Volkswagen beetle up and move it several feet.

After having lunch we went to the Big A, Aqueduct Racetrack for the afternoon card. It was not crowded and we sat in the general admission grandstand. I sat next to Irv as he looked over the program. He went into a brief explanation of how each horse had a number worn around the waist and that some races were longer and some short. He then asked me which number I liked.

I don't recall what number I responded with but after I answered Irving told me to stay right in my seat and he would be right back!!!! Now you must recall that this was 1964 or 65 and the world was different then. In our present day world this kind of behavior would invoke a visit from DCF.

I followed his instructions and in a short time he was back. This went on for the rest of the day with Irving asking me what number I liked and then I assume he went to make his wager. I doubt he actually wagered on the number I gave him I think he was just trying to keep me entertained. I can still see myself in the seat at in the Grandstand next to Irving.

It is funny, I cannot recall any other details on what took place after the afternoon session ended. We obviously went home but the vivid detail of the events leading up to the track can be remembered I can't recall what happened.

It was until the late 1990's that this story surfaced again. It was a Passover at Ted and Ronnie's when they still lived in New Jersey. After the meal the conversation turned to old memories. I told my Mom Muriel some of the details of the day, which I scripted here. She never knew what took place. She was surprised, but not really surprised after all she knew her husband and her women's intuition may have tipped her off many a time. We all laughed and the stories of days gone by kept going with a new tale.

Now here it is 2007. I can still see the events clear. Somewhere up above an old man is smiling as he waits in line to make his wager. He lives on through me and I am proud to have had this man as my Father and mentor. I hope that he would be just as proud of me if he were alive today. I am confident that he knows and can see me...........