Josh Isaac

My friend Josh Isaac died yesterday. Here is the obituary from his blog.

Joshua Bondi Isaac 1972-2010

Joshua Bondi Isaac, age 38, was proud of the life he lived. He died on Monday, August 2, 2010 after a decade plus battle against epithelioid sarcoma.

Above all he was most proud of being a husband to beautiful wife Kim Haas Isaac, whom he met in 1991 at Camp Solomon Schechter where they were both camp counselors. They married on August 20, 1995. A source of constant joy, the two had three wonderful children Jacob, Sam, and Sophie. He cherished time with his family and, despite the protracted battle with cancer, he made the most of the last few years devoting that time to his wife and kids. They took many trips together and made lasting memories celebrating all moments of life by living each day as a blessing. Although he was dying, these were the happiest days of his life.

He was born and raised in Seattle. A product of the public school system, he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1990. He went on to pursue his education at Whittier College, where he was active with the Orthogonian Society and Whittier Scholars Program, where he made lifelong bonds of brotherhood with members of his pledge class, the Untouchable 11. He graduated with a self designed major called Images and Thought.

This built on his love for writing and film, which he took with him when he began his career at the Shoah Foundation. He worked there as a librarian helping to document Holocaust survivor testimonies. In 1997, he moved to Baltimore with his wife Kim and landed a job in the corporate communications department of Baltimore Gas and Electric as a writer. While working in Baltimore, he continued his education achieving a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing and Publication Design. In 2001, he moved his family back to Seattle where they bought the house he grew up in from the estate of his parents. He continued his career in corporate communications joining Microsoft in 2002 as a writer and media producer, where he worked until 2010.

First diagnosed with cancer in 1998, Josh endured multiple chemotherapies, radiations, and surgeries over the years including the amputation of his left hand. Josh used his creativity to help deal with the situation, making a documentary in 2007 called My Left Hand, which screened locally and won many honors and awards.

Among his hobbies, he loved creative writing and poetry, sharing his works through poetry readings and on his blog. He remained active in the Jewish community and continually supported Israel, keeping involved with Congregation Beth Shalom in Seattle, the synagogue his parents helped found.

Josh is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Miriam Isaac. He is survived by his wife Kim, sons Jacob and Sam, and daughter Sophie, his brother Marc and their dear family, Suzie, Eli and Rina, his sister Shauna and her husband Alan. He is also survived by his in-laws and close family Henry and Kate Haas, Gerda Haas, David and Sharon Haas, and Sue and Sarah Haas. He also will be missed by the Rozanek family in Bellevue, uncles Hymie and Freddie Rosenblatt and family in Winnipeg, and the Pinsky family in Vancouver. He also leaves several good friends behind too. He’ll be loved and missed by many.

The Isaac family extends their thanks to Beth Shalom Community, Microsoft Corp., and the UW for their unyielding support during this trying time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Isaac Children’s Educational Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank account #9688563676 or to Congregation Beth Shalom or The Northwest Sarcoma Foundation.