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Todd A. Isaac
Class of 1994
The
following remembrances of Todd
Isaac '94 were written by his
friends and classmates.
 "Some
men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust
upon them. "-William Shakespeare
When I sit down to think of my friend, Todd, in these terms there is
really no doubt that he fits the first definition of greatness-Todd was
born great. His charisma, attitude, and unwavering devotion to his friends
was inherent, and certainly not something you could learn from a book.
I cannot summarize the effect Todd had on my life with one simple story
or memory. The lasting impression he made on my life was much more profound.
From my first days as a freshman in Wheeler to our more recent endeavors
in New York, Todd was always there to give a kind word or a valued piece
of advice. He helped me through many times when I had no idea which road
to choose. As an only child, I didn't have any siblings, but I knew that
if I had a problem, he was someone I could turn to for guidance or a
dose of reality in those times when he thought I was making the wrong
decision. He was someone who was very comfortable with himself, and for
that reason he emitted an aura of confidence, a sense that he could achieve
anything. And he did. Todd was successful, not only in business, but
also in life. He was an established athlete, a scholar, a friend, and
mentor. If there is one thing that I can remember vividly about Todd,
it was his innate ability to light up a room, or give me a smile when
I heard him on the other end of the phone. His personality was magnetic.
Everyone wanted to be around him. I can't explain it, but everyone who
knew Todd felt the same way. Maybe it was his zest for life and his inability
to let things get to him. But what I do know is that the world was a
better place with hi m in it. And I will miss him dearly.
Timothy P. Hannigan '95
* * * Todd was my friend. Todd and I played basketball together at Holy Cross.
I have read that while sports may help build character, sports also reveal
character. I believe that is true. And I believe that I was fortunate
enough to know Todd Isaac well.
I haven't seen much of Todd since I graduated from school, but thinking
of him always makes me smile, and often makes me laugh out loud. That
was Todd. He possessed a gift. He made people laugh. He was, of course,
talented. And he had attributes far beyond just being funny. He was the
kind of person that I would want on my team, in basketball or in life.
And that is the highest compliment that I can pay to a friend. But, on
top of his simple goodness, Todd's true gift was his ability to make
people laugh. He made life more fun.
Since the events of Sept. 11, I have thought of Todd often. I was thinking
of him the other morning as I walked along the boardwalk, watching the
boats pass by. It struck me that like a boat passing through water, Todd
passed through life, leaving in his wake swells of smiling people, often
laughing out loud and enjoying life more than they were the moment before
he passed by. So while we mourn his loss, we should celebrate his life.
Simply put, Todd made this world a better place to live.
I will miss my friend.
David Alan Rothstein '92
* * *
He was the skinny boy from the Bronx in my freshman French class who
kept us doubled over with laughter when we were supposed to be conjugating
verbs. He had a nickname for everybody and had no qualms about yelling
them across campus. He wasn't the best player on the basketball team,
but he was the most fun to watch. He didn't mind going places alone,
because he was sure to draw a crowd everywhere. Every joke was laced
with his take on the world, with a world insight that made you stop and
think more than once. And when the jokes subsided and you needed someone
to talk to, he was the best friend you ever had. All I can say now is:
Thank you.
Amy Polacko '94
* * *
My favorite parts of my years at Holy Cross are simply the friends I
made and the memories of the times we shared. As time goes by and contact
with friends becomes less frequent, I'm forced to remember-to remember
names, faces, parties, buildings on campus, laughs, and just images,
like photographs now, of each other.
My image of Todd is very clear: Always neatly dressed, unwrinkled jeans
and spotless sneakers. Todd knew how to make everyone smile and laugh
at themselves. Never mean-spirited, Todd's needling could break up a
room, with the subject of his jokes laughing hardest of all. In these
past few years, I've come to realize what a rare talent that is.
But at the same time, there also was a serious side to him. He could
be very demanding and determined when it came to his studies or basketball,
or any other real task at hand. It was his ability to know the difference
between the times that were meant for fun and those that were meant for
business that I came to admire most.
I mourn the loss of Todd. I mourn for Todd's family and close friends.
I mourn for his co-workers and all of his former classmates. And maybe
most of all, I mourn for anyone who didn't know Todd. I am deeply saddened
and still very angry, but I am also disappointed that more people now
will not have the chance to meet this unique man. I firmly believe that
my life has been better because I was lucky enough to have known Todd.
Clark Finley '94
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