August 9, 2005

Dear Friends,

For the past week we have been lovingly deluged with countless emails, letters and cards expressing love, support and heartbreak in light of the news of Dad's passing. It continues to be of enormous comfort to us that so many people loved him as much as we did.

We can't begin to adequately convey our gratitude to all of you for sending your most personal thoughts and condolences. It has made this saddest of times somehow more endurable.

To those of you who have asked about plans for a funeral, memorial or other ceremony to honor Nick, we want you to know that, according to his most emphatic wishes, (and we all know how emphatic he could be!) there will be no funeral and no memorial.

There WILL, however, be a party - perhaps even SEVERAL parties - (times and places will be announced in the near future) the hope being that after this initial period of shock and sadness, we will be able to gather together in a more joyous mood to celebrate his life and not simply mourn his absence.

We promise to keep you abreast of our plans, and ask you to bear with us if we seem to be vamping till ready…indeed, that's exactly what we're doing.

Love, gratitude and heartfelt thanks to you all,

The Perito Family