Sanford Mahr
Arnie—“AJ,” as I often called him—was like a brother to me.
Our families were inextricably linked, going back generations to the same small village in Ukraine—Sokalivka, to be exact.
From almost weekly family gatherings as little boys, sleepovers, summer camp, Boy Scouts, and countless tennis matches (where, much to my frustration, he almost always beat me), we shared a lifetime of memories. There were Buffalo Bills games, driving on the shoulder to beat the traffic, and somehow managing to smuggle pizzas into the stadium. We shared a love of life, business, hard work, laughter, dancing, and making the most of every moment.
AJ was a kind, generous, and giving man who touched the lives of so many. He will be deeply missed. In truth, he is already missed.
But while his passing leaves an immeasurable void, his legacy lives on—in the values he instilled, in the kindness he showed others, and most of all through his sons and grandchildren, who carry a part of him forward every day.
Rest in peace, bro. Until we meet again.