By Laura Lane
Then, on June 10, Noah learned that his father, David Safon, had died while on a business trip in Georgia. He suffered a heart attack while playing golf, a sport he'd spent much time teaching Noah.
Noah's mother, Lisa, has run out of explanations for her youngest son, who she said is identical in appearance to his father. "I equate this to 9/11, although that's more violent," said Lisa. "Dad went to work and didn't come back."
Lisa said that her husband was intimately involved in his children's lives. After a long day as a Manhattan labor attorney at Ford & Harrison, he'd come home late, and while eating his dinner, work with his children on their homework.
"David would never say, 'I need downtime'; his downtime was his kids," said Lisa. "He'd call as soon as he knew the kids would be walking in the door from school to find out about school, and how they did on their tests. He taught our children everything. David was truly a mensch."
Safon, 44, was, by all appearances, in excellent health. He was active, regularly playing golf, exercising at the gym, playing basketball or any other sport his children enjoyed. Originally from Bay Shore, he and his wife moved to Merrick in 1990.
Safon's life always centered on his family. This past year, he was preparing his 12-year-old son Keith, a Levy-Lakeside student, for his bar mitzvah, scheduled for next March. "He and Lisa were so excited about Keith's bar mitzvah," said Mark Yedlin, a longtime friend of the Safons. "He was the most devoted father you'd ever see."
Yedlin described Safon as "the most upbeat person you could ever meet and a terrific friend." He said that Safon was a talented attorney as well. "He always had the right solution, had a special sensitivity of people," said Yedlin. "He led seminars around the country for other lawyers and planned his presentation so he could reach everyone there. David always spoke to people as individuals."
Safon worked under Yedlin when he was president of Congregation Ohav Sholom, and then became president himself. "David did a fabulous job as president," said Yedlin. "On synagogue issues is where I saw David's sensitivity toward people. He knew how to make everyone feel right and was a natural mediator."
Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg was a close friend of Safon's, too. They served together on the Ohav Sholom Executive Board for eight years. "One achievement that David liked best when he was president was the movie documentary that he made about the synagogue," said Denenberg. "He felt it helped to bring the older and younger members together. David devoted a lot of time and effort to whatever he was involved in, but when he was at home, his life revolved around his wife and children."
Safon was known to pull together a neighborhood kickball game, and he was a frequent visitor at the local pool, where he taught his children how to swim. "David always played with the kids," said Lisa. "He always thought that someone was lazy if they took a nap if they could be playing with their kids. The hardest part right now for the kids is not to be able to say goodbye. It's lonely at night and in the morning here. The only time they're happy is when they're busy with their friends."
Lisa said that 1,200 people attended her husband's funeral, and 700 came to her home for Shiva. She is grateful to the Merrick community, which she said has been so supportive and kind. "David touched so many people; people miss him so much," she said. "They broke the mold after him. He was the everything."
In addition to Lisa, Jenny, 14, Keith, 12, and Noah, 10, Safon is survived by his parents, Barbara and Kenneth Safon; and two brothers, Scott (and his wife, Rebecca) and Danny (and his wife, Angie).
A college 529 plan was established for the Safon children. To donate, make checks payable to Lisa Safon, with the memorandum "Children's College Fund," and mail to Congregation Ohav Sholom, 145 Merrick Ave., Merrick, N.Y. 11566.
