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William Safire Obituary
Safire, who was 79, had been diagnosed with cancer and died at a hospice in Maryland, assistant Rosemary Shields said. She declined to specify the type of cancer Safire had or say when he had been diagnosed.
Safire spent more than 30 years writing on the Op-Ed page of The New York Times. In his "On Language" column in The New York Times Magazine and 15 books, Safire traced the origins of words and everyday phrases such as "straw-man," ''under the bus" and "the proof is in the pudding."
Safire penned more than 3,000 columns, aggressively defending civil liberties and Israel while tangling with political figures. Bill Clinton famously wanted to punch the curmudgeonly columnist in the nose after Safire called his wife "a congenital liar."
Shields said: "Not only was he brilliant in language and assessing the nuances of politics, he was a kind and funny boss who gave lots of credit to others."
As a speechwriter in the Nixon White House, Safire penned Vice President Spiro Agnew's famous phrase, "nattering nabobs of negativism," a tongue-in-cheek alliteration that Safire claimed was directed not at the press but at Vietnam defeatists.
Safire also wrote several novels and served as chairman of the Dana Foundation, a philanthropy that supports brain science, immunology and arts education.
Along with George Will and William F. Buckley Jr., Safire's smooth prose helped make conservatism respectable in the 1970s, paving the way for the Reagan Revolution.
Safire was a pioneer of opinionated reporting. His columns were often filled with sources from Washington and the Middle East, making them must-reads for Beltway insiders.
Author Eric Alterman, in his 1999 book "Sound and Fury: The Making of the Punditocracy," called Safire an institution unto himself.
"Few insiders doubt that William Safire is the most influential and respected pundit alive," Alterman wrote.
Safire's scathing columns on the Carter White House budget director Bert Lance's financial affairs won him the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1978; in 1995 Safire was named to the Pulitzer board.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
50 Entries
Harry Simpson
September 27, 2014
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Jonathan Lowder
April 20, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
John 5:28,29~Do not marvel at this because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out...
m henry
September 15, 2010
How you can show support
April 2, 2010
For William...You gave
politics a good name.
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California
[email protected] /Joe Fazio
November 20, 2009
For William...
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
Carson Carson
October 14, 2009
I so relished Sundays when I would be able to read his column in the New York Times magazine. I could pass the column on to my teen-aged sons and their friends to learn the many nuances of our ever-changing language. I never did find the response to the pervasiveness of the connector "off of...". But he would have known.
"BIG JOHN" LOWDER
October 12, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
C Neal
October 8, 2009
wE NEED MORE SAFIRES IN THE WORLD
C Neal
Frances Upchurch
October 8, 2009
The highlight of my 25-year newspaper career was having one of my columns published in the International Herald-Tribune alongside one of Mr. Safire's. He was a true wordsmith, an accomplished arguer of well-reasoned premises, and a defender of the correct use of the English language ... everything a journalist should be and, these days, so rarely is. He and his column will be missed.
Lisa Carver
October 6, 2009
I loved reading Mr.Safires column in the NY Times. We are so sorry to see him go.
Our deepest sympathy.
Leah Chase
October 6, 2009
I have long enjoyed reading Mr Safire's columns and having lost my own beloved husband a yr ago, after only 50 yrs and 3 months of marriage, I truly understand the pain and loss you, his wife, are going through. It is not fixable, I've learned, and I try very hard to remember all the good times and good things. The memories are what will sustain you. God bless you.
Leah F Chase
Charleston SC
Jon Lowder
October 3, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
October 3, 2009
I hope that you are able to find comfort in the scriptures.Isa 25:8
JON LOWDER
October 2, 2009
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2009
Dianne Randazzo, Bahrain
October 2, 2009
For years I looked forward to reading his "On Language" column in the Sunday Houston Chronicle. I was enlightened and entertained at the same time by his brilliant writing on the subject.
I am saddened to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with his friends and family.
Larry Whittington
October 1, 2009
May God bless the Safire family. I am so blessed to have read William's columns over the years and always enjoyed the "On Language" column the best. It became fodder at the Sunday morning breakfast table in my household.
Jon Lowder
September 30, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
September 30, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He will be missed and remembered fondly up 'on the mountain'.
Max & Patricia
Harpers Ferry, WV
Keysha Harrison
September 30, 2009
My condolensces on the loss of a loved one. May the words found at Isaiah 61:2 bring you comfort.
T. K.
September 30, 2009
My life has been more enjoyable because of your teachings on language. "I was hooked" on words because of you. Your silky-smooth writing has made your books an inseparable companion. You will be living and teaching forever through your work. THANKS, Bill, God bless your soul.
Chele
September 29, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
JON LOWDER
September 29, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Everlynn Green
September 29, 2009
To: All who loved and cared about William Safire,
May the "Father of tender mercies" and the "God of all comfort" strengthen your faith and give you courage to face the days ahead. I am very sorry for your loss.
Steve Ray
September 28, 2009
A True Benchmark By Which All In His Field Of Endeavor Are Measured.
The Lewis family
September 28, 2009
Please except our condolences to the family and friends of Mr Safire. Please be assured that Almighty God Jehovah cares and shares your grief for he says in (Revelation 21:3,4)And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more neither will outcry nor pain be anymore. Isn't that a wonderful promise that only God can and will fulfill?
William Brooke
September 28, 2009
No more great lines like "nattering nabobs of negativism". We will miss you Bill.RIP
kathryn and gary suerth-holmes
September 28, 2009
Our deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved Mr. Safire.
Dianne Howard
September 28, 2009
Such a loss for those of us who embrace brilliant word usage, great literature and a true American!
May God guide William into the loving Hereafter, and send Angels to comfort the grieving family & friends of this great man!
Diana J. Gordon
September 28, 2009
What a wonderful, giving life. Sympathies to the Safire family. Will miss this erudite giant's commentary, firmly instructing us about our verbal foibles, such that we eagerly awaited his next on the mark chastisements and observations. R. I. P.
September 28, 2009
He was truly 'one of a kind', a great one!
JW Patrick
September 28, 2009
To The Safire Family,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. We know death is a painful experience for all. However, God has offered comfort and hope through his word the bible (Romans 15:4). He also promises that there will be a resurrection (John 5:28, 29). How we all yearn for the time when we can see our dead love ones again. May the memories of love shared give you peace, strength and comfort now and in the days ahead.
Barbara J. Valenzuela
September 28, 2009
William Safire was not only a patriot and a gentleman but also a role model for anyone who aspires to write well. The world of mass communication has lost one of the best. His work should be a "must read" for students of both journalism and English. Peace, comfort, and strength through the grace of God to the family, friends, and those who admired him from afar.
LINDA TURNER
September 28, 2009
May the family of Mr. William Safire find the peace that can only come from God's word the Bible. At Isaiah it tells us " I-I(God) myself am the One that is comforting you people". May this bring you peace.
September 28, 2009
Mr. Safire was a true patriot; he shall be missed. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Robert & Sharon Southard
Williamsburg, Va
September 28, 2009
Mr. Safire was a true patriot;he shall be missed... Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Robert F. Southard
Williamsburg, Va.
Joanne Oakes
September 28, 2009
We were very sadden to learn of Mr. Safire's passing. We had missed him on the different talk shows the last few months. He was a a very special gentleman. Our deepest sympathy to his family.
Stan Smith
September 28, 2009
We have lost a fine man. Godspeed William.
Sheila Smith
September 28, 2009
God bless you William and all those who loved you.
R Golay
September 28, 2009
To the the family of William Safire - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow,I know that William will be missed by many.
Henryk Zaleski
September 27, 2009
You are missed. Thank you and rest in peace.
Mrs Mills
September 27, 2009
Loved his column and was always so pleased that he answered his fan mail.
The Robert's
September 27, 2009
So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Mr. Safire.
We enjoyed his calm resolute manner on Meet the Press. His dry sense of humor made one smile. He was recognized so highly for his preciseness in the use of the English language. May his family find comfort in the many loving memories you hold close to your heart. Peace Be With You.
maria tavares
September 27, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Lee Rouland
September 27, 2009
The planet has lost a fine man.
Jean Matthews
September 27, 2009
Safirerites -
the bane of my English professor's red pen; he thought that I was making up words.
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