Growing up in Greenpoint Brooklyn, Leo Gorman lived a few houses down on the same block as my dad, Alexander McKillop. Leo and my dad had lost touch after their childhood years, and after my dad passed away a few months ago, I started searching for Leo because I wanted to thank him; to thank him with all my heart and soul for making a difference in my dad's life. You see, when they were kids, Leo reached out to my dad and told him he ought to go to the library with him, and my dad went. I heard the story about Leo Gorman so many times over the years; how they went to the library together and my dad got his first ever library card. My dad also often said how he wished he had gotten to know Leo better. He spoke of Leo so often that I feel like I've known Leo my whole life. And when my dad spoke of Leo, his voice always took on such a sincere and gentle tone, and I knew that he had found a kindred spirit, and that Leo had a profoundly positive impact on his life. I can definitely say that the library continued to be a very special and important place in my dad's life, and he spent a lot of time there over the years.
Even just a few weeks before he passed, my dad was still telling us the story of Leo Gorman of Greenpoint. Thank you dear Leo. It's the small, simple acts of kindness that touch our souls and are forever remembered, and dearest Leo, my dad sure remembered you.
