My Very Deepest Sympathy

After contemplating posting this - being that I wrote half of this four days ago and the other half right now - I have decided to post my entry in memory of the late Dan Cresci - the brother and very best friend to my good friend Jonathan.

Sadness does not even begin to describe the emotions I have been feeling since hearing the news that one of my long time friends lost his brother. His brother who, in my opinion, was not even given an opportunity to show the world his talents, was recently killed in what police are saying is a murder-suicide.

Always the aspiring entrepreneur, Dan Cresci was working on projects since the day I met him. In high school, if the guys weren’t helping him with the valet business, they were helping him try to open up a pizza parlor. Regardless of the project, I know – even without knowing Dan very well myself – that whatever he was doing he was putting everything he had into it.

And now there is a life that has been cut incredibly short. A family that has been through so much is now struggling to even find the words to explain what a town can only describe as one of the worst tragedies in Monmouth County’s history. Even saying that at my age – when I have only been around for 26 years – I am confident that my statement holds water.

Last night’s services were yet another indication that not only was Dan Cresci an amazing human being, but he meant so much more than he will ever know to the people whose lives he crossed paths with. Endless people flooded the Shore Points Funeral Home last night for what I can only describe as the nicest, most well put together wake I have ever been to. Factoring in the incredible tragedy of the situation – the slideshow, the music, the family and the friends made it a night I will never forget.

And that brings me to my ultimate conclusion. I have the most amazing friends in the world. Friends who have been around – for the most part – since elementary school. People who would, at any given moment, be there for each other – no matter what. This recent tragedy is yet another indication of how lucky we all are.

Upon hearing the horrible news, everyone was in contact to decide how we would be there for our friend. Some visited daily, others handled arrangements in terms of what we would get the family as a token of our sincerest sympathies and others simply offered condolences. No matter the gesture, it is and always will be 100% genuine and that is the difference. In fact, after listening to the speeches at the wake last night, it was enlightening to hear how highly everyone – family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances – regarded Dan Cresci.

With every challenge he faced – businesses, school, businesses, school – he faced them with a determination that most will not put forth in a lifetime. And these were the words of his own father – a man who had just lost his son and the poise and eloquence with which he spoke of him was truly an inspiration to me. In fact, the way the entire family composed themselves should have been an inspiration to everyone in that room last night.

So often are we all concerned with the pieces that make up our own lives, that we are only reminded of the accomplishments of others when they are put right in front of our faces. This, of course, is of no fault of our own – but is rather a reality that we all have to live with daily. In the light of this recent tragedy, and in honor of Dan Cresci and everything that he believed in as an entrepreneur, a lawyer, a mentor, an uncle, a son and a brother’s very best friend, I hope that everyone whose life he touched will hold a piece of Dan in their hearts in a way that will remind them that every day you have the opportunity to do something great. And no project, job, assignment or even friend, is ever too small to be the greatest thing to come your way.

I’ll end with a line from the song that Dan’s family chose to close out last night’s services: ‘Who can say I’ve been changed for the better….because I knew you….I have been changed for good.’

May he rest in peace and my very very deepest sympathies will be with Cresci and his family for quite some time.