The Heart of a Man

About the Book

Delivering a message of optimism and hope, The Heart of a Man shares the story of Oscar J. Peskoff , who employed the “never-say-die” philosophy throughout his long and accomplished life.

This memoir shares an array of colorful stories and anecdotes from times throughout his life—his birth in 1920 to immigrant parents; growing up in the 1920s and 1930s in Brooklyn, New York; serving five years in the Army Air Force as medical personnel in the South Pacific during World War II; his marriage to Dorothy in 1946; the birth of their daughter, Ellen; his work with his family’s boiler repair company; the death of his wife and his remarriage; his great service to the community; and his many travels around the world.

The Heart of a Man narrates the story of a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who lives by the creed that his job is to make the world a better place.

About the Author

Born in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn in 1920, Oscar Peskoff spent the first 65 years of his life living and working there, except for the four years he spent in the South Pacific during World War II. His life during those years was an active and fulfilling one working in his father’s Boiler repair business, as well as devoting many evening hours refereeing basketball, working for U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer’s early political campaigns, and taking top offices for the 7th District of the Manhattan Masons and his synagogue, Congregation Beth Shalom, in Kings Bay. He also served as camp chairman for the Masonic camp 7 for 6 years, devoting much of his summers to care for underprivileged girls aged 7 through 11.

Married to his wife Dorothy 49 years, they had a daughter, Ellen, who went on to become head of the NYC Substance Abuse Prevention Program. Oscar has had many rewarding experiences in his life and has much of which to be proud. Retiring in 1985, Oscar and Dorothy moved to Otis, MA in the Berkshires, where they enjoyed many years listening to the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the Tanglewood Music Festival. In 1991, Oscar and Dorothy moved to Palm Beach Gardens, FL where they took up winter residency. Unfortunately, Dorothy passed away in 1994, and Oscar began a search for fulfilling things to do with his life as a single. Always the optimist, he found many activities to give back to his community and people with whom to share his evenings. This, then, is a book about optimism, hope and a “never say die” philosophy. The reader will find this story uplifting and inspiring. Enjoy!