We were pondering what to write this morning when a comment arrived and solved our problem.
And while you enjoy this and remember our colleague, we throw out there that as we continue our sabbatical we have finally stepped up to remedy a long-time deficiency in our consumption of classic literature and engaged on the journey of reading the 1000+ page Brothers Karamazov. (For our 30-somethings and robed readers, perhaps there is a two-minute summary on Tik Tok you can watch).
Myles Raucher commented on "GREG GONZALEZ"
I've been out of the loop for a long time and not following events or keeping in touch so it feels so odd to post a comment a year after Gregg's death.
Some folks thought Gregg was contributing so much time to Veteran Treatment Court because he wanted to be a Judge and impress Governor Desantis. When he told me this we both burst out laughing simultaneously. We couldn't stop laughing as we fed off one another.
It was funny to the both of us because it represents the divide between those who see banal self interest as the primary motivation and those who recognize a duty to our fellow vets.
I was the PD Veteran Court attorney for three years, a former Air Force guy. Gregg did some unorthodox and madcap stuff helping out vets like letting one live with him for weeks and buying a sax for another.
Sometimes he recruited me in evening searches for the clients missing in action [failure to appear in court]. He wouldn't let them fail or allow them to be sucked into the gritty Miami asphalt.
Gregg had a different vision from the bulk of humanity. Whenever he performed another of his acts of anonymous assistance to a vet on a random day without self promotion I would say: "So Gregg. You're trying to impress the Governor." And we would guffaw wildly.
Gregg was respected by the vets in VTC. That says a lot. When a fellow Vet respects you, its earned, deep, and heartfelt. Its not a cheap respect but a recognition of successfully performing the mission.
There are more stories I could tell. But its not necessary. From the compassionate comments, I think folks know what a special soul Gregg was.
Thank you for this.
21 comments:
Mr. Rumpole, what version/edition of Brothers Karamazov are you reading?
The one on my kindle
Great post by Myles Raucher on Greg Gonzalez. He was a unique guy in every sense. He befriended a client of mine that I got into the Veteran's Court by just listening to the guy. Greg even took him on an Emmaus retreat for spiritual replenishment. He made a huge difference not only for my client, for for many veterans who were lucky enough to be a friend of Greg.
Thanks Myles - great post and great memories of Greg! RIP
Greg was awesome. Miss him.
Thank you Myles for sharing these wonderful memories of Greg. Gone too soon but not forgotten.
This kind of lawyering - not to mention Judging by people like Jeff Rosinek- is all too infrequent and replaced by drones who just do their job and/or call balls and strikes and never take a personal interest in the person appearing in court. Yes caring like this takes a toll. But it’s worth it. Greg was such a special person.
Wow. Greg sounds like one of a kind! Rest Easy Greg.
May Greg be at peace without any pain or limitations. 🙏😞
Humble and effective. Caring. Hard working. Committed. Friendly. That was Greg.
How did Greg die?
I get the utility of kindle, of course. But sometimes the feel and smell of paper in a well-made print edition is part of the joy of reading it. The problem with reading Dostoyevsky on paper is the size - the book is like a door-stop - and the print - too small for aging eyes. I have a 4-volume paper edition of Brothers, which solved these problems. And I recently read a 3-volume edition of War and Peace, boxed set, chunky paper, good typeface, nice hard covers. A real pleasure to read.
Greg was stricken with brain cancer.
the judicial talent level on todays la ballot is
Hey Rumpole.
Judge Amy Karan passed away.
So young. 54 years old.
Do you remember her? Did you ever appear before her?
Life is finite Rumpole. Do you think about death? What are your thoughts on life?
Just to be clear she passed away at way too young an age in September 2013.
Caring and kind, Greg was as low key as they come. It was never about him. His is an example to be held up for all to see. A lawyers, lawyer. A man’s, man. A veteran’s, veteran. We miss your kindness. Let his memory be a call to be kind and caring.
Greg was a great guy and I miss chatting with him in the hallways. I also miss talking with Myles. Both great men and lawyers
Greg was a great guy. Thank you for sharing.
I cannot give enough compliments to Greg, he was such a kind man. His devotion to veterans was unmatched. He was one of the most affable persons in the Court House and sorely missed.
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