The 100 Years Club Installment #130: HOT STUFF #2

This one is hot AND sentimental (because I’m publishing it on Father’s Day weekend).

Childhood memories (especially of summer) can be compelling.

My father (who was a massive influence on my life choices and personality — for better or worse) discovered the Hamptons when it was still a series of sleepy beach towns.

He took my mother to the Montauk Manor for their honeymoon.

Our family spent many summer vacations “out east,” and I rode ocean waves with my dad, who taught me to play tennis and entered me in competitions. I even found one of my old trophies when cleaning out the house after my mom died.

He had the foresight to buy a house long before the area was hot. See below. A developer has since torn it down and built a multi-million-dollar monstrosity.

A “gadget guy” (long before real tech existed), he loved playing with early-stage tech — from home movie cameras to fetal ultrasound innovations.

I remember him saying that the east end of Long Island was a place of peace for him. He was a busy obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) and was often highly stressed and exhausted.

However, he was way ahead of his time, ultimately choosing to leave New York City for warmer climates and a calmer, more fulfilling career path and lifestyle.

Although he died at 64, he lives on in many ways.

I get to carry on some of our summer traditions out east with my own kids and grandkids now. (My father did get to meet my older daughter.)

I republish this tribute to Lew (my dad) every summer.

He would be proud!

And maybe even think it’s hot!