There was a memorial service for Joe Hirsch at Belmont Park this morning. I got to know Joe over the last eight years of his career with the DRF. I was his landlord in Saratoga Springs each year during the meet. I had originally rented a place to his good friend the late Joe Durso of the New York Times. He asked if I had a place nearby for a friend of his who he needed to keep an eye on. That friend turned out to be Joe Hirsch. He was a character. One year he informed us he was arriving on Wednesday afternoon (this was when the meet began on Friday.) He called me on Monday afternoon demanding to know why noone was there to meet him. Fortunately the place was ready for him two days early. Another year he said he was arriving on a Monday. By Wednesday morning there was still no sign of him. DRF sent out an APB on him and located him sleeping at a rest area on the Thruway. Apparently, the drive was so tiring to him, he had to stop at every rest area to sleep. From then on, he was provided with a driver by the DRF. At least once a year he locked himself out of his condo. Fortunately, we left an extra key for him with his friend.
The first year we rented to him, we splurged and fixed up the rental extra nice for him, giving him a new showerhead with a hose to make it easier for him. He did not like it and went out and bought a different one which we still use to this day. Another time he did not like the microwave so he bought a toaster oven. In every case, whatever he purchased, he insisted on leaving behind. Another time, he did not pay his phone bill before he left, he couldn't be more apologetic and insisted on paying the bill based on what we told him over the phone.
All in all, he was a unique and classy individual.
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