I come before you to speak of our friend, son, brother, husband, father and my cousin, Richard Bornstein. Richie was a man of great physical and mental strength, as well as having a large reservoir of inner strength and determination. Not many people on this planet would have been able to fight the fight he did so nobly; always optimistic and determined, staring his illness down for so long. I know that I will be forever in awe of his gallantry and courage, and I am humbled by it.

To me, Richie was was a natural at everything he did. Growing up with him, even though he was a bit younger than me, he was a bit better than me at everything. I remember times after I had practiced things for a while, he would just come along and beat me at them the first time he tried it. We used to play many things together throughout the years; baseball, hockey, decathalon, football, and many of his athletic exploits are ingrained in my mind as superhuman. I especially treasure the times when we played ball together at Friends Field in Brooklyn all day long, then went out later at night to hang out, and just be together all day. Alas, there will be no more H.B. Squared.

Growing up with Richie, It was always fun to be with him and his colorful personalities. He was the California Kid, John Travolta, The Fonz, Mr. Richard and Ricardo. These were among his many unique personalities in life. You could always count on Rich for being there for you in good times and bad. Let us all try to remember the short but quality years we spent in his company, and with his incomparable logic and wit.

Back in his teens, Richie was a diamond in the rough. Not many people knew of his true inside beauty. However, over the years with the help of his friends, his loving wife Cindy and his beautiful children Jared and Heather, as well as Richie's own efforts, he polished himself to become a brilliant, shining gem of a person, who we all knew and loved dearly.

The more I think about him, the more good times seem to flood back into my mind. Just this past week I was having a dream that he was in with me. As usual, I was having some kind of action adventure dream and Rich was in a car with me. We were driving in search of something, and then we got out and proceeded on foot, like we used to play superhero in our youth. That is how I want to remember him; running, laughing and galavanting with me on an adventure.

Richie's spirit never sagged through his whole ordeal. He always projected inner strength and courage to everyone. He left behind memories in each of us of a person who spoke his mind and meant what he said. There will be a void in all our days because of his loss.

Lastly, I just wanted to say a few words TO Richie, not about him, as his illness progressed so rapidly in the final days that I never had the chance to say them to him directly. Rich, I am so very proud to have been your cousin and friend. Whenever you were with me, we always had a great time. I never had a cross word with you, and you really were a unique, super special person. My family and I love the family you have created so well, Cindy, Jared and Heather, and will always be there for them. I miss you so much already Rich, you will be in our hearts and minds forever.

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