Don Taft

Theres rarely a day when something doesnt trigger a memory of Don, who morphed from theatrical agent to lifelong cherished friend. Ive continued to write Don anecdotes hoping to slip them in among the essay collection thats ready to supersede Misadventures of a Would-Be Muse.
I channel Don whenever Im to performat every performance of New York Ladies: Women Who Write With Wit. Tomorrow, Feb. 19, Im to present Fake News in History at the National Arts Club and Ill be pleading for Dons indulgence.
I miss him so. Tuesday-night dinnersI went through an international cook book making dinners for delightful, witty (but never cruel) and warm Don. He even went to where I was boarding our parakeets (first husband Bobs and my pets) to make certain they were being well treated. His absence leaves a crater-size hole in my heart.

Best man I ever met. Kind and sharing. Loved everyone.

I knew of Don Taft for a short time but in that span I learned what a great man he was. A leader among men and a shining example we should all follow. He will be missed but not forgotten.

I first met Don when I worked at Gilda's Club. He was such a soft and gentle man. Very modest and humble, for he just wanted to help people. I am definitely a better person for having known Don Taft. He was a very special person, and I am so happy I had the opportunity to know and befriend him. I will learn from his graciousness and loving ways. He can rest now with some of the angels that left him a while ago. May Paul, Patrick and his many loving friends find peace knowing that he is looking down, smiling....It was a beautiful ceremony and tribute this evening. I miss you already! xo

Dear Don, Our holiday dinners will not be the same without you. You will be greatly missed by our whole family.
We love you.

I AM GRATEFUL THAT YOU BECAME PART OF OUR FAMILY SINCE 1985. YOU ALWAYS MADE ME THINK LISTENING TO ALL YOUR ENTERTAINING STORIES AND YOUR MEANINGS OF LIFE, THAT YOU WERE WILLING TO SHARE. I WILL MISS YOU BUT MY LIFE IS DEFINITELY MORE RICHER FOR KNOWING YOU. GERIANNE INGRAHAM

You will be missed. One of the kindest, loving man I knew. Was a great privledge to be his neighbor. We love you

Sue and Paul Chapin

I will never forget Don's gentle and loving nature to many of us as we sat in the library at Gilda's Club going through some of the toughest times of our lives. He was most assuredly a very special person and Kelly is surely correct in saying that "God sure got a good one!" To quote another good friend, "we now have another angel on our shoulder."

Dear Don, I think of our terrific Tuesday evenings as I worked my way through the Round the World cookbook. Our times in Bob's and my Chelsea Lane apartment are so dear to me. Your wit, wisdom and wonderful good humor. What fun we had, you, Bob and me.
I think of your coming with me when I had interviews with potentially unsavory directors/producers even when you hadn't set up the appointment. I look at photos of me playing 18-year-old Ruth in the Meyer Levin version of "Compulsion," a role I got thanks to you. Don, you were Gibraltar. You were my lighthouse steering me safely through the shoals of show business. I'm bereft at the thought of your no longer "being there," even as I know you're in a "better place."
You were a pillar of my girlhood seeing my various reincarnations -- from Beatrice Ruth to Beatrice Ruth Williams, Beatrice R.W. Williams, and now, Beatrice Williams-Rude
Please say hello to Irene, David and Bob and tell them I love them. Good night sweet prince; may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
In constant and loving memory,
Beatrice

I met Don through Gilda's Club and I guess what should have been a terrible time of my life, actually was wonderful due largely to Don. He was very kind and gentle and made me feel at ease and his humor was great! Thank you Don for being there for me....God sure got a good one!

I will always remember Don in our cancer support group at Gildas. He made us laugh and brightened our day when he was there. Whenever I saw Don, whether it was at a fund raiser, or lunch at Gildas, he always made me smile. He will always have a special place in my heart. Love you Don.

He was a great man whose generosity and heart were beyond measure. He is "Angel Don" now, watching over all the Special Olympic athletes from heaven. He will be missed by all.

I will miss Don and his great stories. It was always so much fun listening to him tell about his days working in entertainment and all of the movie stars he knew. He could always make me laugh with his sharp wit and sarcastic humor. He was a very funny and charming man and I will miss him.

As we move on your memory will always be with the lives that you changed and touched you were an inspiration to all.
You will be greatly missed.

As we continue to move on his memory and people's lives he touched will go on. I to can remember the Joy it gave him to watch our athletes in training. I also had the honor to sit beside him at the SO Management Team Meetings. Watch over us Don you will be greatly missed. (Debra Rivera)

I'm going to miss Don. He was a dear friend. I have many memories of Don watching our athletes in Special Olympics at games, picnic, social events, training etc. Several years ago Don asked what SO needed. I told him we really needed a gym. We needed pratice space for our athletes.Not only did Don get us a gym - he got us a university. The impact of moving on NSU's campus will be the most significant event in SOBC history. Don got genuine joy from his relationship with Special Olympians and they loved him. He tried to attend as much as his health allowed. My favoriteSO memory was when we went to watch our swimmers train with the pine crest and russian swim teams. He was in awe watching our athletes keep up with these other teams. As he viewed the swimmers in the pool, Don said - "This is a magazine cover - all these swimmers and you can't tell who is SO and who is not. This is the way it should be." Well Don - your efforts will help us ensure that we can provide a great SO program the way it should be!

Don - you were a true inspiration to everyone that knew you. You had a genuine love for all human kind and you will be missed. I know God has special plans for you. May you rest in peace.