Boris Milgram

Rest In Peace, Boris. One of the smartest and most respected people I have had the pleasure to work with. I learned much from Boris, the knowledge he imparted to me has been invaluable. My deepest sympathies to the people closest to him.

My heartfelt sympathy to all Boris' family and friends!

My deepest sympathies go out to friends and family during this difficult time.

Rest in Peace Boris. My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this very sad time. I will miss your humor, kindness and unwavering friendship. Your time on this earth was way too short but I know that you are in a better place now. You will be truly missed and I am honored to have called you friend. You will forever be My Boris!

REVISED GUEST BOOK MESSAGE:
Sweet Boris was my best friend. I hadn't heard from him and received no responses to my texts in the last 2 weeks. I knew he was in extremis. I flew up to New York yesterday just for the day to see 'Hello Dolly' on Broadway. It was the most awesome entertainment experience of my life, as I thought it might be, and texted Bo yesterday afternoon after the matinee about the experience with photos but likewise got no response; and when I arrived back home in Miami Beach, at about 3:30 a.m. today, I broke out into a cold sweat as I feared Boris may have died. There was no one I could contact so I went to sleep hoping for the best but fearing the worst. I just googled him and learned that he died 3 days ago. From the heights of good spirits, to the depths in 24 hours flat.

Bo was the kindest, sweetest, strongest, gentlest, most generous, unassuming, humble, hardest working, smartest, unselfish, giving, supportive, non-judgmental, courageous, inspiring, spiritual and positive human being I've ever known. I used to tell him, with humor, as I'm 67 years old, 'my friend, when I grow up, I want to be just like you!' If you look up the definition of 'friend' in Webster's Dictionary, there is none...just a photo of Boris. He was the very definition of the word.

Two poignant stories: first, shortly after we met, my birthday was coming up and I casually mentioned it to Bo. He asked me what my plans were and I said that I had none. Although we hardly knew each other at that point, he asked me if he could take me out to dinner for my birthday. I said that was so sweet but agreed only if we could split the bill. At his suggestion, we enjoyed a lovely meal at his favorite French restaurant in Coral Gables. The waiter brought the bill to Boris with a credit card receipt already attached for his signature. He had given his credit card to the maitre d' before I arrived so that no bill would be presented for us to split. I protested his 'trickery' to no avail; and, as I got to know Boris better, I realized that that sweetness and generosity were trademark Bo.

Second, about 6 months later, Boris mentioned that his 50th birthday was coming up in October at the conclusion of the big conference he organized every year in Germany for work. I had learned in the intervening time since I met him how hard he worked and therefore had little time to share with friends as a result. I became worried about his not enjoying any leisure time to relax and he let it slip that he actually had scheduled a week off commencing on his 50th birthday the day after the conference ended. Here was my chance to repay him for his burgeoning friendship and generosity: I suggested that, with his permission, I wanted to plan on the two of us taking one of those silly 3 or 4 day Carribean cruises from Miami and we would play aging midwestern farmer/widowers, Walter and Fred, who were just getting over the loss of their wives Gladys and Phyllis. We would buy fannypaks and bad cruiswear (definitely NOT Neumann Marcus caliber ;) get drunk at all the bars onboard and lament the loss of our dear wives to anyone who would listen; and when they would bolt for the doors, we would guffaw til our stomachs hurt! That was the plan and my friend Bo would get 3 or 4 days of the relaxation I thought he needed...and he agreed to my plan! I made all the arrangements but about 2 weeks before his birthday and a week before he left for Germany, he called me to say that he would not be able to go on the cruise and I asked why. He said that he had decided to work through his planned week off. I could not be angry at him because getting angry with Boris would be like getting angry with Mother Theresa, I felt...he was just too good to ever be angry with! Of course, I canceled the trip. However, I did give him a stern warning: if he didn't slow down and smell the roses and enjoy the fruits of his considerable success, he would get an ulcer or have an early heart attack. He said 'of course, Rob, you're right and I will take some time off soon.'

Then Boris disappeared for 3 or 4 months. My texts and calls were not being returned which was very unlike him. No matter how busy he was at work, there was ALWAYS a near immediate return text or call. That was vintage Boris! So, I thought perhaps that I had offended him somehow, unintentionally to be sure, and texted him that and that I was worried that I hadn't heard from him. Then came the text that I never dreamed I would ever receive from him: he had been diagnosed with malignant melanoma on one foot and was recovering out in Arizona from innumerable surgeries to remove tumors that had metastasized from his foot to his chest. I was thankful that he had not called me with that devestating news because he would have heard me gasp for air. I started hyperventilating because, even before he told me, I knew MM to be one of the most virulent and aggressive forms of cancer with only a 10-15 % survival rate of 5 years, though he ALWAYS believed he would be one of the lucky ones and encouraged us to believe that!) If anyone could will eradication of malignant melanoma, by sheer determination and positive thinking, Bo could. I truly believed that...he made me believe that!

Although he was so sick for so long, his spirit never dampened. When we communicated every day by text, as was his preference, he was more worried about my well-being, it seemed, than his; and when I would tell him tears were rolling down my face because of how much he was suffering, he would say 'please Rob, no tears! I'll be fine.'

I am bereft at the loss of my best friend but, as with the loss of my mom from Alzheimer's after so many years of suffering, it was a relief to know that Bo (and she) were no longer suffering. Early in his battle, he made me believe in God again after being a non-practicing Jew since my teens because I had to believe that, if God existed, Bo would be first in line to be saved. I started going to temple every Friday night to pray for him; but it was not to be so. He is now in a better place. When we thought he was going to pass about 6 months or so ago, I gave him the Rolex watch my parents gave me for law school graduation almost 45 years ago so that, when he got to Heaven, mom and dad would recognize him wearing that watch and thereby know how important and treasured he was to me that I gave it to him, they would be there to welcome him upon his arrival with open arms...yes, by knowing Boris during his short time here on earth, I believed and believe that!

I had asked Bo at that time to please make sure to tell his family or a good friend that he and I were such good friends and give them my phone number just in case...you know...but apparently he did not; after all, he was busy fighting for his life! I hope that one of his other friends or a family member will call or text me at (617) 678-8321 and let me know the funeral arrangements. I had hoped to be able to speak at his funeral and tell his friends and family how special Boris was to me and is to me and will always be to me; but, if not, at least they will know that by reading this tribute to the one-and-only Boris.

I just called the funeral home listed on the googled legacy.com which is how I found out Bo had passed but they had no information; and I checked the Miami Herald online but there was no notice or obituary. I'm thinking that perhaps, because his doc brother and family remain in Venezuela, the family is holding off on arrangements until they arrive. I will continue to check daily online but would appreciate it so much if someone who reads my tribute to Boris will let me know.

Finally, this to my friend, Bo: you changed my life for the better. A friend like you happens once in a lifetime, if that, and I am so fortunate to have had you as my friend, watching my back, ALWAYS; and sometimes jokingly but lovingly say to you after getting some stern but heartfelt advice from you, 'Yes, Mother.' : ) I only wish you had had more time on earth to spend with all your friends and family; but we are blessed, truly, to have had the time we spent with you. As I told you so many times, I love you Boris. I hope to see you again in paradise, my friend, if God will take me there. XO.


Rob Goldberg

May you Rest In Peace Boris !

To The Milgram Family:
My prayers are with you. Boris was an amazing leader whose passion shown bright. He will truly be missed. May you find peace during this difficult time.

My sincere condolences to Boris's family and friends. I met him very early in my career at NM in Bal Harbour...there was nobody kinder, funnier, or more hard working. I will always remember him and his gentle nature.

Rest In Peace Boris. I will always remember how you made us laugh! My condolescences to his family.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Rest In Peace Boris.

My condolences to the Milgram family. Boris, cheers on your journey.

Sending my sincerest condolences to all friends and family.

Rest in Paradise Boris. Condolences to family and friends.

Sending prayers of healing to family and friends of Boris. May he rest peacefully.

My deepest condolences for all of Boris' family, friends and co-workers. I will remember him for his passion for life and work. Rest easy now Boris.

May you Rest In Peace Boris! May everyone who encountered you think of all the good memories that we shared with you.

Rest In Peace Boris.