Michel Fuchs
My name is Michel FUCHS. I am the son of Zolmino (Mino) and Louly Fuchs, and the grand son of Marco and Fanny Fuchs. I only heard yesterday that Tico had passed away, so long ago, and it broke my heart. I called to say hello, and Mireille who did not recognize me all that much told me.
My Grand parents were close friends and neighbors of Madame Chemtob in Cairo (one floor up). I remember as a young child playing in the stairs and I remember her always.
Tico and my Dad were VERY close friends and grew up together until Tico and your family left Egypt to the US. We only left Egypt in 1957 right after the Suez Canal events, but we went to France. Tico and my Dad stayed in touch throughout the years by mail, and my Dad and Mom visited with him and all the family and friends they had together around 1962.
I remember the constant jokes, the happiness, the tremendous affection that we, the kids, were able to share throughout our youth with Tico and my Dad's generation, despite the hardships they encountered when they left Egypt.
My Dad died in 1964 (car accident) at a very young age, and for us, my Mom (Louly), my brother and my sister, Tico remained a legend of our Dad's youth and anything related to Tico was absolutely sacred. To this day, his name resound in my ears like a thunder of happiness, and despite my sadness of what I learned yesterday, when I think "Tico", I have a smile in my heart and probably on my face.
I moved to the USA in 1969. One of the first things I did was to visit Tico in his shop uptown Manhattan. I remember going there and on week ends, staying sometimes for hours talking with him, watching him and his sales magic with his customers. During those years, my wife and I shared many meals with Tico and Mireille, and I had some occasions to meet Robert and Roger but we did not get to know each other as much as I would have liked. I remember one of you being a film location specialist, but sorry, that's all I remember.
I have a son (Olivier) and a daughter (Karine). Neither of them will ever forget Tico. There was never an occasion that we stopped by the store and that he did not manage to find some present for them. Each time, it was like a birthday. When Olivier was very young, Tico once gave him a present and Olivier told him that he hoped this one would not brake immediately like the proceeding one. I don't have to tell you the cursing and laughter that followed.
Tico and Mireille also came to France several times, and invariably, we had the pleasure of their visit. A couple of times, we joined them on the Riviera and had an absolute ball especially sharing the latest jokes. When it was my turn and I succeeded in making him laugh, invariably he would interrupt his laughter and say "Bayha!" which I can only translate as "So.so" or "not that great", while laughing like crazy.
I don't know if you will receive this. If you do, I would immensely appreciate if you could give me some sign of where you are, how I can reach you. Just the idea of perhaps, one day, enjoying a conversation and sharing some memories would be a joy.
Someone once said that you only die when you are forgotten. Tico was my Dad and Mom's generation, but he touched our lives like no other friends of that age. My wife, my sister, my kids, all those who had the joy of knowing him if only a little bit, we will never forget him.
I am sorry if I revived some sad times of his passing, but I had to share with you how much I loved him.
If you receive this, please give me a sign.
Again, my name is Michel Fuchs, I am 68 years old, and my email is [email protected]
My deepest and most sincere condolences to Mireille (you used to call me "Micky"), to Roger and Robert and whomever else who was lucky enough to be part of Tico's life. We share knowing a truly great person.
Love,