Wolfskin
Email Wolfskin: wolfskin@blueyonder.co.uk
Visit his website: www.wolfskin.co.uk
This image was supplied by Wolfskin and re-produced here by his kind permission.
I was introduced to Mr.Crisp by a good friend in New York City in the summer of 1996 and met him and spoke to him on the phone many times up until his untimely death in 1999.
The last time I saw him was in September 1999. I walked him from his room to the Cooper Diner where we had lunch together. It had been almost a year since our last meeting and his health had deteriorated markedly. We had to stop for him to catch his breath half a dozen times before we reached the restaurant and he was clearly experiencing considerable pain walking.
I was surprised and alarmed when he told me about his forthcoming visit to England to perform in a new show. I questioned whether his decision to go was wise given his frail physical state but he seemed resigned to the plan and did not want to let people down. In our last meal together he ordered his usual mashed potato but changed his mind when I said I was going to have the hash browns. (He was in a slightly 'racey' mood !). We exchanged stories and news and laughed together and on this occasion, as on all others, Mr.Crisp was his usual charming and witty self. As I grew to know him better I noticed that with time and a little trust the mask sometimes slipped a little to show some of the sadness and uncertainties of growing old. When lunch was over I walked him home and at the door to his home I shared what was to be our last exchange.
I said :
"Mr.Crisp, I think the most perfect and enduring thing you have created is yourself."
He smiled, lowered his eyes and in a completely unaffected way said
"Thank you".
Then we said goodbye for the last time.
I know he will no longer pick up the phone for me to hear his characteristic "O Yeeeessss" when I call.
I still miss him terribly.
Wolfskin
Visit his website: www.wolfskin.co.uk
This image was supplied by Wolfskin and re-produced here by his kind permission.
I was introduced to Mr.Crisp by a good friend in New York City in the summer of 1996 and met him and spoke to him on the phone many times up until his untimely death in 1999.
The last time I saw him was in September 1999. I walked him from his room to the Cooper Diner where we had lunch together. It had been almost a year since our last meeting and his health had deteriorated markedly. We had to stop for him to catch his breath half a dozen times before we reached the restaurant and he was clearly experiencing considerable pain walking.
I was surprised and alarmed when he told me about his forthcoming visit to England to perform in a new show. I questioned whether his decision to go was wise given his frail physical state but he seemed resigned to the plan and did not want to let people down. In our last meal together he ordered his usual mashed potato but changed his mind when I said I was going to have the hash browns. (He was in a slightly 'racey' mood !). We exchanged stories and news and laughed together and on this occasion, as on all others, Mr.Crisp was his usual charming and witty self. As I grew to know him better I noticed that with time and a little trust the mask sometimes slipped a little to show some of the sadness and uncertainties of growing old. When lunch was over I walked him home and at the door to his home I shared what was to be our last exchange.
I said :
"Mr.Crisp, I think the most perfect and enduring thing you have created is yourself."
He smiled, lowered his eyes and in a completely unaffected way said
"Thank you".
Then we said goodbye for the last time.
I know he will no longer pick up the phone for me to hear his characteristic "O Yeeeessss" when I call.
I still miss him terribly.
Wolfskin