FUTERMAN, Jeffrey Allan Futerman - February 1, 1968 – September 14, 2024

When Jeffrey was a baby, our mom would laugh and say "He looks like an old man ... a tiny, little old man." He was often sick & routinely in and out of hospitals. Until his kidney transplant in 1983, after which he was able to break dance & do "the worm" at my wedding in 1984, to the awe & delight of our younger brother Jason. Jeffrey lived life to the fullest, very often defying the odds.

The son of Sonja & Harvey, grandson of Molly & Benny, gentleman & a scholar to some, agitator & referee to a few, always a wonder and, to me, a miracle. Jeffrey was also known as the King of One-Liners, with a quick-wit and sense of humour. Recently, after several years of ups & downs, close calls, and being in & out of the hospital, Jeffrey settled into a group home where he felt the 24/7 love and support from the staff & residents.

A huge thank you to Community Living Oshawa Clarington, we are so appreciative of all that you've done. Thanks, Phil, for your time & energy in the last while, it was a good thing. In addition to top-notch medical care, we also felt the guidance and compassion from all the staff @ Lakeridge Health Oshawa's Critical Care Unit. Thank you, Dr. Donna Birbrager, for being the only person to convince Jeffrey to reduce his Diet Coke consumption a few years ago (too much of a good thing).

The Transplant Clinic team at UHN's Toronto General Hospital played a huge role in Jeffrey's resilience & ability to live fully, as did the Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre. Our family, including The Ancestors, thank Dr. Johnathan Eisenstat for the letter. I was able to read it to Jeffrey and he loved it, telling me that the great Cleveland Pitcher Bob Feller “could pitch faster than a motorcycle”. A heartfelt thank you to the family who, in April 1983 were going through their own pain and suffering and gifted so much love and joy to our family. Over the years, Jeffrey has always been surrounded by family and friends. He especially valued the friendships he cultivated at the Coffee Time at Stevenson & Rossland, and all of the smiles he gathered along his travels. He has nieces & nephews that started out their lives with "Uncle Jeppy", which brought him endless delight. One of our last conversations was that Spencer Horowitz is his favourite Blue Jay. Watching sports with Jeffrey was an opportunity to learn many facts & figures about the game as he could rival any sportscaster with his knowledge, stats, and memory.

My heart is heavy to let you know that Jeffrey left his body here last Saturday, as the Blue Jays started their game against the Cardinals. I like to believe he found a seat behind home plate. My heart is also full of gratitude to be able to tell you that Jeffrey died an old man. Touchdown. Love, Michelle. May his memory be for a blessing. A graveside service will take place at 3 pm on Friday September 20, 2024 at THORNTON CEMETERY & FUNERAL CENTRE, 1200 Thornton Road North, Oshawa, (South of Taunton Road and off of Dryden Blvd, 905-579-6787).