Under threatening skies and a stiff, southerly wind, over 100 hardy souls convened at Menemsha Beach to celebrate the life of Dan Aronie, who died early this year at the age of 38 after a lifelong struggle with diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The gathering included a formal Jewish eulogy followed by short speeches filled with anecdotes about Dan’s life, some joyful, others tearful. Dan’s parents, Joel and Nancy, and his brother Josh were present, along with many of Dan’s caregivers and members of the Aronie extended family of friends. A brief but torrential downpour temporarily suspended the ceremony, and the remainder of the event took place, impromptu, beneath a large umbrella adjacent to Josh Arnonie’s Menemsha Cafe. Kate Taylor sang a rousing rendition of Bob Dylan’s Forever Young, and Catherine Blinder, a longtime friend from the Aronies’ days in Hartford, Conn., gave a signature reminiscence. Toward the end of the day, as the sun peeked out through the clouds and mist, many feasted on soup, appetizers and drinks at the deli.

crying
— Peter Simon

— Peter Simon