Arnie Reisman, journalist, playwright, poet, television and film producer, and raconteur who led with a smile and backed it up with a quick wit, died suddenly early Monday, his wife Paula Lyons confirmed. He was 79.
A man who had his fingers on the pulse of nearly every corner of Island life and was curious about everything and everyone, he embraced politics, social justice issues, puns, ferry and Vineyard Haven post office woes, and turned everything into art. He was the Vineyard poet laureate from 2014-2017, was a member of the Cleaveland House Poets, and was the current board chairman of the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, where he also performed in numerous productions, many of which he wrote and directed. He also hosted the playhouse’s poetry cafe.
“I am in shock,” said MJ Bruder Munafo, executive and artistic director of the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. “He was our leader at the theater, our board president. He was irrepressible in the best way, with a big personality and we loved him so much.”
Mr. Reisman had been a columnist for the Vineyard Gazette for over a decade, his essays chronicling the intersections of Island life and his own eclectic career. He had extraordinary recall for details and throughout his career had found himself frequently in the middle of historic events. He wrote about those events along with issues big and small, from Groundhog Day and parsnips, to racial equality, the Gardner Museum art heist and covering Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin concerts in the 1960s.
In a recent column he looked back on his time as a young reporter at East High School in Denver, Colo. The current high school editor, Leo Kamin, at his alma mater had tracked him down for an interview, which Mr. Reisman used as material.
“I see by the headlines from your era you had about six dances a year,” Leo noted. “We have only one.”
My response: “That’s because we discovered rock’n’roll.”
Arnie Reisman was born on May 1, 1942 in Chicago and grew up in Denver, Colo. He graduated from Brandeis University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. During his long career as a journalist based mostly in Boston he was editor of Boston After Dark, which later became the Boston Phoenix, did feature writing for the Boston Globe and numerous other publications, was a television producer for Consumer Reports, WGBH, WCVB, where he produced a profile of Norman Bridwell the creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog books, for which he won a New England regional Emmy award.
With his wife Paula Lyons, he was also a panelist on NPR’s Says You!, the long-running comedy quiz show. His final column for the Gazette, filed earlier this week, was a tribute to the show.
His documentary film work included Hollywood on Trial, an examination of the red scare and blacklist period in American history, The Big Dig, The Powder and the Glory, about the rivalry of Helen Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, which became the basis for the Broadway musical War Paint, staring Patti Lupone and Christine Ebersol.
His Vineyard credits would require a 10-act play to list, ranging from books of poetry, nearly a decade of columns for the Gazette, to numerous plays and films.
“He had so much to say to all of us and aren’t we so lucky he did say so much to us in so many forms,” Ms. Bruder Munafo said.
His friend Dr. Gerald Yukevich recalled a man who was as committed to social justice as he was the arts. Mr. Reisman was the former vice president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, and on the board of the Vineyard Conservation Society and the Martha's Vineyard Social Justice Leadership Foundation.
"Though his wit and intelligence were keen, he was also a powerful moral force for justice, for freedom, and for giving wings to the imagination of individuals and of our struggling democratic society," Mr. Yukevich said.
Mr. Reisman and Paula Lyons, his wife of 39 years, were inseparable and well known in the Vineyard community. They met in 1979, when they first started working together. In a 2008 profile in the Gazette, they both admitted that the first date did not go well.
“I took her to a place that just about killed the relationship,” Mr. Reisman recalled. “A Japanese restaurant in Back Bay, one of these places that was totally into Japanese custom. You had to take your shoes off and fold your legs under the table. I watched her do this and she was as comfortable as an erector set, disassembling before my eyes. She’d never had Japanese food before. It didn’t go well. I was a nervous wreck.”
Despite the awkward first date, the couple gave it a second chance.
“Our next date was a shopping expedition to buy her some home appliances,” Mr. Reisman said. “There was less at stake I guess, and we hit it off.”
Not long after they were married they rented a house on the Vineyard in 1983.
“I had never been here,” Ms. Lyons said in the story. “But he said ‘Let’s just rent a house for July and if you hate it, we never have to go back again. We found a house on the Middle Road, and it was magical.”
The couple moved to the Island full-time in 2011 and became involved in nearly every corner of Vineyard life, together and as individuals.
“I am bereft,” Ms. Lyons told Gazette Monday morning. “It was a great life. His friends are a legion.”
A graveside service will be held on Friday, Oct. 8, 12 pm, at Abel’s Hill Cemetery in Chilmark.
This article appears in October 8, 2021.
Always liked when I saw him at an event I was attending as then I knew It was going to be a fun or at least an interesting night. Safe travels
Arnie And Paula have been friends of ours for decades. The passing of this sweet brilliant man has made a huge hole in my heart, and I’m sure anyone who has followed and read his insightful articles plays and poetry feel the same way! Paula we are with you in your loss.
Arnie was so funny, creative, brilliant, and generous. I enjoyed working alongside him for a few years on “Says You!” (NOT “Says Who.”) This is such a sorrowful shock; we send our love to Paula, to all their friends and family, to his fellow panelists, and to all his radio fans.
The wittiest, warmest man. An island treasure.
Such sad news.
So saddened to hear this. His wit and creativity were always in abundance with his wife on Says You on NPR. Arnie was also a gem in the Island community. Rest in Peace and condolences to his family.
Funniest person I knew, such a force for good on the island. An irreparable loss.
Passionate, committed, hilarious, huge of heart.
Sincere condolences to Paula and his family.
Shocked and saddened. Such a likeable, interesting, talented, creative, funny, and productive man. Age couldn’t slow him down. This is hard news to accept. Much love to Paula.
Devastated. We shared a May 1 birthday. We had the same mothers. I just commented on yet another of his brilliant posted poems on FB. I loved him with my whole heart. I love you Paula. This is just f****** too much!!!
So sad to learn of this devastating loss. Such a warm, lovely man. Sending love & light to his family.
All of my thoughts are going to Paula.
I am a member of the Cleaveland House poets, where Arnie helped us find good poetry, and I am on the Board of the Vineyard Conservation Society, where Arnie helped us find good people to advance our work. Our island is a better place because he Paula chose to live here!
He was warm and larger than life and greeted everyone with a smile, open heart and kindness! He will be sorely missed.
Arnie was a rare combination of wit, wisdom, heart and soul. He will be dearly missed. Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to Paula.
Can’t believe it! Our days go back to Boston After Dark. Just seeing Arnie put a smile on my lips. My thoughts are with you, Paula.
This is such a shock. He was everywhere on the island. I once saw him working the sound for Island Community Chorus while Paula sang in it. He advised me to move to Vineyard Haven from up-island. Who could resist that Arnie?
I’m so sad to hear about Arnie Reisman’s passing. I saw him less than two months ago and did not know it would be the last time. My condolences to Paula Lyons and Arnie’s entire family. This island has suffered a great loss.
Devastating news. Arnie’s warmth, whimsy and embrace of the sweet oddness of humanity struck beautiful chords of recognition in me. It was always gratifying for me to feel myself on his wave length. What a wonderful man we have lost. My deeply felt condolences to Paula.
I just sat down like a stone. Mr. Reisman (Arnie) was so incredibly gracious, kind, funny, but most of all, from my very tertiary observation, he really saw/heard/absorbed everyone with such respect, intellect and empathy. He treated people with such decency. We are all less for the loss of him.
Our hearts are broken at the loss of our friend. His warm heart, quick wit and wisdom will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to Paula.
So many fun times together. – even with Floyd farting under the dinner table. Unbelievable that he is gone. So much love to Paula.❤️
I loved seeing Arnie and Paula strolling around the neighborhood almost every night around sundown. He always had something up beat or humorous to say through the rolled down window, or just a smile and wave as you drove by- He’s what community minded is all about.
There was simply nothing like Arnie. I loved his Gazette pieces, his radio persona, his wit and endless humor.
I still savor that incomparable dinner of nonstop laughter at Abby Hirsch´s years ago with Arnie, Paula, Judy Belushi, Jessica Harris, me and Abby. What a time we had!
I am shocked and saddened to hear this news. I always enjoyed running into you, Paula, and Arnie and hoped to see more of you two. I loved reading Arnie’s poems and hearing him at poetry readings. Arnie’s and my long ago family connection was also important to me. My thoughts are with you, Paula.
We shall not see his like again
We were all made better by his passing this way. To say that he will be missed in rank understatement. The island is diminished by his demise. My condolences and sympathy to Paula and to their entire families. Even the sky is crying with us today.
What a writer! A writers’ writer. Every form of creative expression. Everyone knows he was quick witted and frankly hysterical but his poems had resonance beyond laughs. They held truths about the human condition and current conditions with heart and honesty. This leaves a crater in the community. Much love to Paula from Dee and I. Spirit soar, man! There’s gotta be more.
All of us who knew Arnie and Paula from their WCVB years and beyond are so saddened to hear this news. What a gem of a man, and what a great couple. Paula, we are all thinking of you here and holding you close in our hearts.
“was a member of the Cleaveland House Poetry society since its inception” – No Arnie was not even living on the Vineyard when Dionis Coffin Riggs started the Cleaveland House Poets (not a society) at her family home. William Marks Waterway invited Arnie Reisman to join our group and simultaneously had him accept the position of MV Poet Laureate. Arnie created the Poetry Cafe at the MV Playhouse, supported Island poetry and was an inspiration to all.
He was truly a gift to all who knew him, read his work or listened to him on the radio. Saddened for his family.
Arnie, safe journey my friend. Arnie knew how to make his audiences laugh using witty commentaries and humorous poetry. He was a rock for many throughout MV.
As they say, “laughter is good medicine” therefore, the Vineyard has lost a weaver of words, an activist for island causes, a spokesman for the performing and written arts, and a pharmacological genius of “good medicine”. My condolences to Paula and his family.
Freshman year at Brandeis, someone’s dog was in the dining hall, barking. Arnie barely looked over his shoulder and said, “You ought to do something about that cough.” I still quote him.
I loved listening to Paula and Arnie on the radio and keeping in touch with the island and the world through Arnie’s columns. I looked forward to them. I Never met either Arnie or Paula but I am grateful for the gifts he shared with me.
Well said. Couldn’t agree more.
Our dearest friend for half a century. Hard to imagine a world without Arnie.
Arnie & Paula, although not family, were our family. An extraordinary couple and to know Arnie has left that twosome is impossible to believe. Our hearts are broken and ache for dear Paula.
Barbara & Hal Simonetti
I miss Arnie forever, but in his memory I’ll support the Mass ACLU, the Vineyard Playhouse, Island housing and anything else I think he might have thrown himself into. And we still have Paula.
Arnie brought poetry, passion, and wit to this world. A dear friend who shall be missed.
Godspeed King.
He was my father’s best friend, but as my father Jon would say, he was a lot of peoples best friend. He was a key family friend of ours and maintained that after his close friend, my father, passed away. I am at a loss realizing that such a bright soul who felt like an anchor in a certain way is no longer with us.
A beautiful tribute to a truly great person. Thank you for this.
Arnie was a dear friend whom I knew since I was 17. I had just heard this and am in shock. What a loss to me, personally, the ACLU, the Vineyard Community, and all the listeners of Says You. He was loved
Arnie was a delight. He will be joyously remembered and painfully missed.
Arnie was our best man and Tony (Kahn )was his. I loved him dearly and never got enough of him. Paula was the great adornment of his life, and in his treasured MV he found a perfect home. What a gift he was to so many!
Hugs of sympathy to you and Tony; I miss you folks.
I did not get the chance to know him on the Vineyard but had the pleasure of him being my professor in a journalism course at Boston College in the late 70’s! He was the same then as all describe him now!
There was so much about Arnie I liked and admired. He was among the most talented and caring guys I’ve ever known, and his friendship I will greatly miss.
We are shocked and so deeply saddened by this news about Arnie who will be sorely missed by our community. Our thoughts are with Paula.
Max and Jane
Arnie brought wisdom and laughter to every ACLU of MA Board meeting. His compassion and wit were always apparent. May his memory be a blessing to all who were fortunate to know him.
Gerald and I feel so blessed to have had Arnie as a dear friend, who always delighted, inspired, and made us feel that the world really CAN be a better place. And…YES! We still have dear Paula! Life is fragile…let’s all make the most of it, as Arnie would wish.
A dear friend for over 4 decades, Arnie brought laughter, love and inspiration to any gathering. He helped all of us be the best we could be. Arnie and Paula have made our world a better place.
We did not know Arnie and Paula that well, but the news of his passing deeply shocked and saddened us. He was such a vibrant delightful fixture in the community, we assumed he would be around forever. What profound sadness to realize that our assumption was wrong. Our hearts go out to Paula.
Paula, we enjoyed running into you and Arnie “on the lane” in Menemsha, before you moved to the big city. Along with Dick’s sister Marjorie, we send you our deepest sympathy at losing this wonderful lifelong partner.
I’m in shock to hear of Arnie’s sudden passing. He gave the gift of kindness,humor and intelligence to all. My heart goes out to Paula and his dear friends. May his memory be a blessing
Although I only knew Arnie through his writing in the Gazette, I knew that if he and I were at the same event, it would be something special.My thoughts are with you, Paula.
I have known Arnie since we attended East Denver High School. He is two years older than me and was in my brother Jud’s East HS class of 1960. We both found a home in Boston then on the Vineyard. A few weeks ago we buried one of Arnie’s East HS classmates Sam Batey in Denver. Sam and his wife Bobbie used to visit us on the Vineyard and I would try to connect him and Arnie for our mini-East HS reunion. I am saddened by Arnie’s passing. My condolences to Paula. Rest In Peace and Power Arnie Reisman!
Arnie found my resume after I’d been rejected by the publisher of Boston After Dark aka Public Occurrences and called me and hired me,my first paying full time job after college. He was so funny, I remember that. But also defended me when I did my muckraking for Boston After Dark!
A precious light has gone out and we are all the lesser for losing him. So sad.
Arnie was brilliant, funny, irreverent and committed. I got to work with Arnie and Paula at WCVB-TV in Boston in the 1980s. News of his passing came as a shock to myself and to my wife, Nancy. While Arnie’s energy, warmth and humor are no longer with us, he will be remembered for a life well-lived and generously shared with so many. I was so happy to read about the wonderful life he and Paula created on the Vineyard. It was the perfect place for a man of arts and ideas. Our love and best wishes to Paula for her loss.
October 5, 2021 – 6:26pm
Terrible terrible news. He was a talented poet with a wonderful sense of humor
Paula, we are so very sorry for your loss.
Arnie was the very best of what a human being should be.
We are all lessened by his passing.
We lived in Vineyard Haven for 10 years and his smile often brightened our day
just as your presence at the Mansion House brightened ours.
Sam and Rebecca, San Miguel visitors.
Arnie was simply the funniest person I knew. His humor was never hurtful or mean, but quick, and insightful. He was always fresh air for my soul. I am having trouble trying to imagine a world without Arnie in it. Paula, my heart goes to you.
This sad news has reached us in Colorado, Arnie’s boyhood home. What a heartbreaking loss for us all individually and for the Vineyard as a whole. Arnie was the essence of joyousness—in his stories, poems, cooking, friendships, and everything else he punctuated with his hearty laughter. And to Paula we send our love, grateful for the shared memories she and Arnie have given us.
After reading an Arnie Reisman essay, we can laugh and feel better about ourselves. What a lovely man. Love to Paula
I felt he was a kindred spirit: A writer for whom fun was more the point than funniness. I always hoped I’d get to know this engaging man about the island better some day. So much for the best laid plans. R.I.P., Arnie.
It seemed he’d met everyone and been everywhere. His piece on coddling William Shatner is a classic. Thanks, Arnie. You did well
Arnie was a wonderful writer and human being, I am so very saddened by his passing. I send my condolences to Arnie’s family.
I am sorry to hear of Arnie’s death. I have known him since I was in 10th grade at East Denver High School. Arnie was in my older brother Jud’s class two years ahead of me. We recently buried one of Arnie and my brother’s East HS classmates Sam Batey in Denver. Like me Arnie discovered Boston and then the Vineyard. Rest In Peace and Power Arnie Reisman.
We are shocked and saddened to read of Mr. Reisman’s sudden and untimely death. We offer our prayers and condolences, especially on behalf of Ms Lyons and friends and family of this bright, witty, and altogether fascinating and charming man.
I am so very sorry to hear of this. I don’t know Arnie or Paula, but almost feel as if I do, after years of reading Boston After Dark, following Paula on TV, listening to both on Says You, and enjoying Arnie’s essays in the Gazette. May your memories of Arnie give some comfort and strength in the days ahead to Paula and all his friends.
Go to ”Page Turner” in the Gazette. Read his 4 essays. His words create living, breathing vignettes.
I had the honor of both friendship with Paula and Arnie and working with both at WCVB-TV. What a mensch Arnie was. Kind, gracious, funny as hell and generous with his time for us lesser lights.
Arnie, your passing leaves a hole in my heart.
I don’t understand this. Why Arnie, my dear, dear friend? Our dogs introduced us. My yellow lab,Copley, saw Arnie’s yellow lab, Floyd, just ahead of us on the walking path by the Charles River at Mas Hort. My dog ran ahead of me to join Floyd, and Arnie turned and said, “you can come, too.”That became the most entertaining, and treasured hour of my morning for many years. Paula and Arnie made Copley and I part of their family, inviting us both to MV. As I write this little note the memories of those storied walks make the tears well up, and I wonder if I’ll ever stop the flow. Dear Paula I love you, too. I loved the two of you together, and thought it would be forever. Make yourself a “Rusty Nail”. All my love, Susan
All of the above, plus: Arnie was as undefensively vulnerable as he was open to new experiences. He was my first editor, when he ran the weekly Brandeis University newspaper in 1963, gave me my first job when he ran the weekly Boston After Dark in 1970 — the memories are countless. I loved the guy, as did so many of you. But I post this to share video of him from the ’70s I’d forgotten, from Fred Barzyk’s experimental WGBH show, Mother’s Little Network: https://vimeo.com/503101252#t=1m17s
Arnie and longtime collaborator/best man Tony Kahn first appear at about 6:18
Arnie was a Brandeis 1964 classmate, one whose many careers and contributions were extra-ordinary. It was always a special pleasure to hear him and Paula on the radio. My deepest condolences to Paula and to their many friends and colleagues.
For the past 20 years I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Arnie Reisman, Paula Lyon and the rest of the gang on Says You! What a brilliant mind he possessed. I always looked forward to his witty retorts and amazing responses. I am truly sad today. Godspeed Mr. Reisman!