L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

Longtime Merokian Lou Gutin, 84, was a Realtor until the day he died, Thursday, January 14. And in 2008, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Long Island Board of Realtors, who noted “to know him was to love him.” 

According to the board, he became active in the early 1970s and “his chapter involvement has been steady throughout the years. He has been on almost all the committees...and when Lou is on a committee or as a director, he participates with a passion and perseverance.”

In the Multiple Listing Service, he was a committee chair, and officer and president in 1982-3. He signed the first contract for a computer in 1982 but never operated it. He was a strong believer in the group’s legislative committee and PAC committees. The board said “our commission escrow act has been his middle name for the past 18-20 years.”

His LIBOR/MLS activities led to his involvement in the New York State Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, where he was well-known for his participation on committees, and as director.

The board wrote, “At one time during his MLS presidency, we were having difficulty adhering to the National Association of Realtors MLS rule, but the old saying that you can’t fight City Hall does not apply to Lou –  he did, and we got an exception from NAR so the rule did not interfere with our business practices. His member-first attitude has gained him enormous respect from all his fellow Realtors.” 

Merrick Chamber of Commerce President Randy Shotland said, “He was a good man, good dad and a friend of the community. Lou Gutin of Merrick will be missed by many.”

Mr. Gutin was also a member of the Knights of Pythias for over 50 years, and a past chancellor. He served in the Armed Forces during World War II.

He was born on September 9, 1926, in Brooklyn and was one of four children. 

He is survived by his sister, Doris Rose of Maitland, Florida, and four children, Randy Elyn of California, Lloyd of Carle Place, Harley of Florida, and Roni Lynn of California, and five grandchildren, Adam, Eli, Brena, Ari and Benjamin.

He is also survived by his wife of 23 years, Marian Fraker, and his children by marriage, Lawrence, Ellen and Paul and grandsons Nicholas and Thomas.

Funeral services were held Sunday at Gutterman’s in Rockville Centre, with Cantor Shel Rokofsky officiating and, as a longtime friend, adding many personal touches to his remarks. Interment was at New Montefiore Cemetery. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

 

A eulogy and poem for Lou Gutin by daughter Roni Miller

I remember a father who would come home every night, and I would give him a big hug, stand on his feet, he would walk me into the kitchen and reach into his pocket.  He would pull out either a pack of red licorice or a box of good & plenty. 

One night we did the whole routine and when he reached into his pocket he went pale. My mom had dinner on the table and he said Arline, we are going to Burger King for dinner (at nine years old, my favorite restaurant).  

He had to make up for not having my candy, so instead of whatever my mom cooked we were eating burgers and fries. Every night I hoped he would forget the candy after that. 

Whatever restaurant we went to, I would order a burger, and my dad would beg me to try something different.  

On a vacation to Martha’s Vineyard, somehow he convinced me to try lobster.  I found my new favorite food.  

My father always said that until I was 10 I only ate burgers, and once I turned 10, he and my mom had to eat burgers so I could eat lobster. I remember my father saying, “Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem to be more afraid of life than death.” 

That was certainly not my dad! My father truly enjoyed his life. Dad always said he had a great ride. Bon Jovi was recently interviewed on “60 minutes.”  When he was asked what a bad day was in the life of Bon Jovi, he replied, “I have not had a bad day since the doctor slapped me on my butt.” I thought  that was something Dad would say.

It is so hard to lose someone who you love but, I know as much as we loved Dad and will miss him, it will be the hardest for Marian. When we would vacation together, my husband and I, who enjoyed a wager every now and then, would bet on the over or under.  

That would be how many times he would tell us how terrific Marian is.  The line was 12 and the over usually one. I do not want to stand here and tell stories about my dad but there is one I need to share. We were on a cruise and my husband was telling my 80-year-old father how he should snorkel with us, and he and Marian would love it.  

So get the visual: on a boat dad in snorkel gear in the middle of the ocean. For those of you who don’t know, my dad did not swim.  

The other problem is that he could not breathe well. On the boat, Marian questioned him about this, but in his snorkel gear he did seem confident. I jumped in the water first and then came my dad. He seemed genuinely shocked that his feet did not touch the ground. He looked for the first thing to hold onto and found my head. 

While pushing me under the water, I heard my husband and Marian screaming. By the way, if I never said thank you, thank you. 

The lifeguards got him back on the boat. I came up to see how he was doing and he said, “That was an experience but tell Jeff I won’t be doing that again...oh, and you should be careful, you nearly got hurt yourself.” 

That was Dad...he did not get hysterical so it was never historical. Marian, thank you for bringing so much joy into my father’s life. I know that although he might not have loved me sharing the snorkel story, this is what he would want me to say. I hope the words of this poem bring you some comfort.

 

I Am Always With You

 

When I am gone, release me, let me go.

I have so many things to see and do,

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with too many tears.

But be thankful we had so many good years.

I gave you my love, and you can only guess

How much you’ve given me in happiness.

I thank you for the love that you have shown,

But now it is time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must

Then let your grief be comforted by trust

That it is only for a while that we must part,

So treasure the memories within your heart.

I won’t be far away for life goes on.

And if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can’t see or touch me, I will be near

And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear

All my love around you soft and clear

And then, when you come this way alone,

I’ll greet you with a smile and a “Welcome Home.”

– Roni Miller

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