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BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Eli Daniel Nemetz Todd, 23, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in Brooklyn, of an apparent drug overdose.
Eli was born Feb. 25, 1993, in Cooley Dickinson Hospital and attended Northampton Public Schools until his senior year of high school, which he completed at Greenfield Community College, receiving his diploma from Northampton High School. He also attended religious school at Congregation B'nai Israel where he became a bar mitzvah embraced by his Jewish community in March 2006. After his year at GCC, Eli attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and graduated with honors in May 2015 with a bachelor's of fine arts in creative writing. He was also awarded the Fiction Prize. Eli's senior thesis was a collection of short stories, two of which were subsequently published in the literary journals The Literary Review and The Agriculture Reader.
Eli spent three summers with Young Writers Workshop, a residential program for high school students run out of the University of Virginia. He taught there for two summers during and immediately after college. After graduating from Pratt, and then working as a program coordinator for NYPIRG for the following academic year, he returned to YWW as an assistant director last summer. At the time of his death, Eli was living in Brooklyn, continuing to write, and working as a barista while he contemplated his future. He was considering returning to school for his master's of fine arts.
From a very young age, Eli exhibited a facility with and love for language and a keen empathy with others. He read early, voraciously and deeply, absorbing literary styles and human stories. Those who encountered him as a young child were likely to be impressed by his indefatigable verbosity, a trait he held into adulthood. His sense of humor also developed early and matured into a wry and quick wit. With his wide grin and dimples, his ability to converse and engage on a deep level with people of all stripes, Eli collected a broad cohort of devoted friends. He remained close to many of his childhood friends from Northampton and was well loved by newer friends in Brooklyn and beyond.
Eli's empathetic nature and his desire to plumb the extremes of human emotions, often reflected in his writing, led him to some dark places and to risky behavior. Like many who succumb to the lure of drugs, Eli wrestled with his own personal demons. While nothing in the days leading up to his death indicates that his overdose was intentional, he knowingly flirted with danger, perhaps in an effort to tame those demons. He skated on the edge, and he fell off.
Despite all this, to know Eli was to know a bright, funny raconteur, a beautiful young man who loved life, had a fine sense of the ridiculous and an ability to live intensely in the moment - all fully evident to his friends and family right up until the day of his death. That he is no longer with us feels unimaginable.
Eli leaves in his wake devastated family and friends, his parents John Todd and Dorothy Nemetz; siblings Hannah and Abraham Todd and Abe's fiancé Joyce Chan; grandparents George and Kathleen Todd; his uncles and aunts Richard and Wendy Nemetz, James Nemetz and Debra Colo-Nemetz, Adam Todd and Cynthia Richards and Peter Todd; step-aunt Anne Kreeger and her fiancé Matthew Konicek; cousins Jeremy Nemetz, Anna and Sarah Nemetz and Lilith and Samuel Todd; and step-cousins Ethan and Benjamin Solomon. His friends are too numerous to name, but his loss will be felt particularly by his girlfriend Anna Lawrence, whom he dearly loved, and his longtime loving friend and roommate John Wolfe.
Funeral services will be held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Congregation B'nai Israel in Northampton, Massachusetts, with burial to follow in the synagogue cemetery.
Donations in Eli's memory may be made to Congregation B'nai Israel, the Northampton Education Foundation and the Northampton Center for the Arts.
To sign a Guest Book, express condolences, share memories and read other obituaries, go to legacy.com/obituaries/gazettenet.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dear John--
I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your son. Please know that my heartfelt thoughts are with you and your family.
Lorraine Hritcko
November 27, 2016
I learned of Eli's death from my friend, fellow member of The Riverside Church in New York, and former colleague Kathy Todd, Eli's grandmother. Please accept my deep condolences for the loss of this bright light.
Carol Fouke-Mpoyo
November 12, 2016
I still remember our Shabbat walk to Shul many years ago.
May u be consoled with the other Jewish mourners--this is the "traditional" consolation prayer.
I am very devastated .
I share in grief.
Israel Feldman
November 9, 2016
I am deeply sorry to hear about Eli. There are no words right now. Just an aching heart.
Becky Castro
November 9, 2016
Dear John, Dorothy and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your terrible loss - it's just heartbreaking. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Gaye Adams Massey
November 5, 2016
I loved working with him at YWW, he always had a kind word to share--I'm so sorry for your loss.
Julia
Julia McGill
November 1, 2016
Dorothy, John, Hannah and Abe,
I am so very sorry for you all, and wish you all the "might and resources to connect with life" as your friend Michael so beautifully put it. My connection with your family was fairly brief and nearly 20 years ago, but I remember you all fondly and sympathize deeply for you in suffering such a terrible loss. I can only imagine what pain this must bring to you. May peace be with you.
Robert Catlin
robert catlin
October 29, 2016
Dear Dorothy and John, this is Michal from Jerusalem, a friend of few of your friends from the community. (many years ago, while i was studying in the area, i house sited your house during the summer). i've been thinking of you with sadness and deep sympathy after hearing about the loss of your son. i can only imagine the devastation. I'm wishing you and the family all the might and resources in facing this loss and all the might and resources in finding ways to connect with life. May you be at some level of acceptance with the un acceptable.
Shalom and my sympathies, michal.
October 28, 2016
John and Family: I am so very sorry for your loss. What a creative, handsome young man. How very sad.
October 27, 2016
October 27, 2016
October 27, 2016
October 27, 2016
October 27, 2016
October 27, 2016
I am very sorry for your loss.
Marie Panik
October 26, 2016
Dear John and Dorothy,
This will seem like a voice from the past...My daughter Aviva and Abe were at the Montessori School of N'ton (back then known as the Children's House) as well as in Hebrew school together. I have a vivid memory of picking her up at your place on North St. You were moving to a new home. We often would run into your family at CBI and greet each other with the usual pleasantries. I remember Eli's energy and constant smile and the twinkle in his eye that showed he was ready to take on anything.
Words cannot express the deep pain I feel for your family at this time. I want to lend my words and voice to those who mourn alongside of you...
Rose Cabrera, parent of Aviva Winniman and Jake Winniman
Rose Cabrera
October 26, 2016
John and family, I am so saddened to hear of your loss. What an incredible young man he was. My thoughts, prayers, and heart are with you at this difficult time. With deepest sympathy.
Karen Wassell
Karen Wassell
October 25, 2016
So very sorry to hear, such a sad loss. Our prayers are with all of the family.
Matthew Bannister
October 25, 2016
Dorothy, John, Hannah and Abe, We are speechless with sadness. His loss is a tragedy for all of us. Our deepest, deepest sympathies to you. Marla (Allisan) and Barbara (Arrighi)
Marla & Barbara Arrighi-Allisan
October 24, 2016
No words can express my condolences to Eli's family and loved ones. The Pratt community has lost a beautiful, inspiring person. My prayers are with you all.
October 24, 2016
We are so saddened by the depths of your loss. Eli's gifts and wordsmanship will be remembered. Heartfelt empathy as you endure this very challenging time.
David and Joya Mednicoff/Misra
October 24, 2016
I've circled this guest book for three days, not knowing how to express myself. The wonderful Todd family has been part of my life for six decades. This past June, at the birthday of his grandfather, I had the joy of discovering Eli for the first time as the intelligent, searching, thoughtful, creative, and sensitive adult he grew to be, so reflective of the qualities of his parents yet a sparkling original. We shared stories of Brooklyn and the thoughts and promise of a 23-year-old navigating his way to a fulfilling life. What tragic news...a truly wonderful light has been lost.
Jonathan Calvert
October 24, 2016
"Good night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." I feel proud to have known you, Eli, and to have read your writing back when you were 13. - Dr. Hart, 8th grade English
Rod Hart
October 23, 2016
I was one of Eli's camp counselors at Camp Ramah. I remember him as a thoughtful, compassionate, and intelligent kid, always eager to connect with others, creative and committed to his friends. My condolences in this period of tremendous grief. My heart to you and your family.
Alex Goldman
October 23, 2016
John, Dorothy, Hannah and Abe,
My thoughts are with you guys. It's heartbreaking.
Phil Marden
October 23, 2016
John, Dorothy, Abe and Hannah:
My deepest sympathies for your loss. My thoughts are with you, your pain is felt deeply. The world of creative arts is missing a bright star, taken too soon. May his radiance shine down on you as you heal, and fill you not with the pain of loss, but the warmth of the brilliance of the life he lived.
Roxanne Turner
October 23, 2016
John: I am so sorry to hear of the untimely loss of your beloved son. It seemed like he was so full of life and made an impression on those with who he came in contact. No words can console you and your family. Just know I am thinking of you and praying that you all have the strength to persevere and that you cherish the happy times you had with Eli.
Richard Dooley
October 23, 2016
Abe, Hannah, Dorothy and John,
I'm so very sorry for your loss, this is absolutely heartbreaking. My thoughts are with you all.
Alex Fogel
October 23, 2016
Dear Dorothy, John, Hannah and Abe,
We're so incredibly sorry for your loss. Eli will be forever in our hearts and memories with the bright smile and exuberance he shared with us as a pre-schooler.
Mikal and Welli Weiss
October 23, 2016
I remember Eli as a tiny kid from when we lived in Northampton. He was a mischief maker just like me. This is shattering news and I ache for all the people left behind.
Liora Sophie Halevi (White)
October 23, 2016
To Dorothy, John, abe and Hannah.
We remember the sturdy little boy...clearly the youngest in a lively brood. Words are inadequate and yet that is all we have. Eli's beautifully written obituary must have soothed the writer's soul. His personality came through clearly. A young life...and no more. May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion.
Jane and Ken
October 22, 2016
Dearest John, Dorothy, Hannah, & Abe,
I am deeply saddened and pained to hear about Eli's passing. My heart breaks for you all. Sending my deepest, hearfelt sympathy during this unimaginable time.
Cathy Tobias
October 22, 2016
Dearest Dorothy & John, Abe and Hannah,
Eli's death is unbearable and heartbreaking, and we are all right there with you, and will be here with you in the days and years to come. May you be comforted, and may his memory be a blessing, as are your beautiful, painful, honest words. We love you.
--Shoshana, Luke and kids.
October 22, 2016
Eli is gone, such a loss. Our deepest condolences.
Todd & Marjolaine Greentree
October 22, 2016
I am terribly sorry to learn of this terrible loss. My thoughts are with you.
Claire Frierson
October 22, 2016
I can't find words adequate to express my sympathy for you and everyone else who loved Eli. I sat and cried on the library steps when I heard. The moving obituary painted a vivid picture of Eli's life. I knew him as Ian's close friend and as an intelligent and delightful young man. I hope you find comfort in his memory, as will others who were privileged to know him.
Robert Steinberg
October 22, 2016
To John, Dorothy, Hannah and Abe,
We're so so sorry for your loss. Eli was so bright and full of life. He will always be remembered with love. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find peace and comfort during this difficult time.
With love- Billy, Higy, Matt, Michelle, and Joyce
October 22, 2016
Dear Nemetz family - Thinking of you at this unimaginable time. We send our love and condolences. Bob and Scrantz Shapiro
October 22, 2016
Sending love and healing thoughts to the Todd family during this incredibly difficult time. I have very fond memories of Eli and remember him as a baby at CBI.
Rebecca (Schoen) Cohen
October 22, 2016
Dear Dorothy, John, Abe, and Hannah, There are no words that can adequately express the sense of compassion and care I feel for what you are going through at this tragic time. I hope the love of family, friends, and our community can wrap our supportive arms around you to hold you in your grief and sorrow. The obit was beautiful and really captured with such grace Eli's being and helped me know him just a little bit . I am thinking of you with healing thoughts. warmly, Jori Ross and family
October 22, 2016
Dear John, Dorothy, Hannah and Abe,
Aharon and I send you our most heartfelt sympathy and wish you strength during this unimaginable time. Hugs.
Amy Sharff
October 22, 2016
My heart goes out to you.
Jan Hackman
October 22, 2016
I write from Israel, unable to be present in person. May God comfort you with all other mourners.
Kenneth Stow
October 22, 2016
Janet and I cry for your loss. The obituary shows us all how to face tragedy with honesty.
Leslie Fraidstern
October 21, 2016
Jon and I feel so saddened by the loss of your son. He seemed like a beautiful person .
Caaron Willinger
October 21, 2016
My heart is with you. I am so sorry for your tragic loss.
Leah Gorman
October 21, 2016
I am heartbroken for you. You shared some of his writing with me: the beauty and the fragility of the human spirit so brilliantly portrayed. A beautiful, artistic soul. You are in our hearts.
Kristen Benjamin
October 21, 2016
All of Northampton is heartbroken. Sending love.
Nancy Sternbach
October 21, 2016
My deepest of sympathies extend to all who loved Eli. I am a friend of Ami Fagin's and saw this posted on her Facebook page.I suffered a similar loss two years ago. My heart extends to you in this time of perhaps deep disbelief and sorrow. I will pray for your grief to be met with courage as well as complete and utter surrender.
Deborah Chamberlain
October 21, 2016
Thank you for sharing Eli's life and difficulties in your remembrance of his life. These painful reminders of the risks our children face do help others struggling with drugs and other problems.
Mary Anderson
October 21, 2016
Dear John, Dorothy, Hannah and Abe - There are no words for this. I am sending all my love to you and wishing you peace and strength. May his memory be a blessing. Priya
October 21, 2016
Words cannot adequately express our sorrow for the loss of this fine yong man. Our hearts go out to you. Doris and David
October 21, 2016
I have never read a more touching or beautifully written obituary. I ache for your loss. My son knew Eli from NHS and their class of 2011 mourns with you.
Sue B. Larson
October 21, 2016
Dear Dorothy and Todd - Please accept my deepest sympathy on such a devastating loss in your lives. I have no doubt he was a wonderful and talented young man who has been taken from you at this unimaginable time.
Lou Mazawey
October 21, 2016
Please know that our thoughts and prayers go out to the Todd family
Renea Taylor
October 21, 2016
May your pain be softened knowing that his spirit is uncapped and will go everywhere. Be comforted by fond memories of him.
Paulette Chin
October 21, 2016
Todd Family - my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy on your loss. I am so sorry. God bless and keep you.
Lori Cornish
October 21, 2016
May God Bless You at this difficult time.
Serena Volovski
October 21, 2016
With deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Kathy Giard
October 21, 2016
Dorothy, John, Abe and Hannah,
I was devastated to hear of Eli's unspeakably tragic death. My memories of my connection to him through his cello lessons are deep and sweet. He was a dear, gentle, beautiful person with whom I was lucky enough to share those music and conversation filled hours. My thoughts and heart are with you.
Deb
Deborah Sherr
October 21, 2016
THANK YOU for sharing openly of your son's tragic loss. We lose too many adults and children to drugs, but we never know the "how." While your lives will forever be changed, may you find comfort knowing he was loved.
Michele Groot (Aetna)
October 21, 2016
Jim, Deb, and family, I'm devastated to hear of the loss of your dear nephew, and deeply moved by the beautiful and utterly honest obituary. Having lost a nephew who was 22, my empathy is full. Dave and I send prayers for courage, strength, and Grace. Much love to you all.
Allison Donelan
October 21, 2016
John,
I am so sorry to hear about the tragic and sudden loss of your son. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Darcey Gartner
October 21, 2016
John, Dorothy, Hannah and Abe - my heart is broken for you on the unimaginable loss of this beautiful soul. You are a family that radiates love and now please know that love is radiating back to you. Cindi Bates
Cindi Bates
October 21, 2016
I didn't know Eli that long but I knew that I was always guaranteed a laugh and a meaningful conversation about how to make the world a better place. That was enough for me. My condolences.
Antoinette Gregg
October 21, 2016
Dorothy, John, Abe and Hannah,
There are just no words I can come up with to express the depth of my sympathy for your loss. All I can offer is the comfort of our community which will hug you for as long as you let us.
May his memory be for a blessing,
Linda and Keith Minoff
Linda Minoff
October 21, 2016
I dont know Eli but have lost many young people to this disease. I have been very moved by your honesty in how you portrayed this young beautiful man.
Barbara Weiss
October 21, 2016
I'm so sorry for this tragic loss of your beloved son/brother/friend.
May his memory be for a blessing.
with love,
Ellen Kaufman
October 21, 2016
Words cannot express our sorrow in the face of your loss.
Love, Marisa and Marty
October 21, 2016
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son, brother, grandson and friend. My heart goes out to you all.
With love, Judy
Judy Younger Laspesa
October 21, 2016
I will miss you, you were one of the kindest person I met! Thank you!
Anna Hennen
October 21, 2016
Sending condolences to all of his family and friends.
October 21, 2016
John and Dorothy,
My heart breaks for you and your family. I never met Eli but often spoke with John about my own son and his struggles in school and John would regale me with an Eli story that had me cracking up and feeling better. NO words can express the sorrow I feel. I'm praying for you all as you navigate this path.
With Love,
Joanie Mathiau
October 21, 2016
Eli was a gorgeous baby and a charismatic, irresistible child. I'm sorry I did not know him as an adult, as I'm sure he won the hearts of many. My heart goes out to you, my dear friends, and may you be comforted.
Gail Glickman
October 21, 2016
Dear Dorothy, John, Hannah and Abe,
Please accept our deepest sympathy in the tragic loss of your beloved Eli. We remember Eli's smile, his intelligence beyond his years at an early age, and his enthusiasm and kindness as a friend to Zachary. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
Love, Debbie, Tim, Zachary and Hannah
Charren/Diehl Family
October 21, 2016
23. I was 23 when I was his teacher, they were my very first class. I remember where his nap mat was, he would snuggle close to me and talk and talk to stay awake. He proposed to me at 3 and when he told me stories he would sometimes put both his small toddler hands on my face to make sure I was listening. Prayers of healing to your people. Be in Peace Eli.
Kim Lee Ripley
October 21, 2016
I am so terribly sorry for your loss.
Robin Freedenfeld
October 21, 2016
Eli touched every life he came into contact with. He was an incredible teacher and friend, and an amazing writer. His work, humor, and kindness will continue to impact the world. -YWW Camper
Grace Thompson
October 21, 2016
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