[NADALA]

He was quite the popular man in Chicago. Stories abound of his riding the mass transit in this city years ago in his youth, and spontaneously erupting with his brand of humour still forming, while passing the hat.

His television show was innovative in its presentation, yet his standup was more of a throwback rather than cutting edge. I must confess that I did not always understand his routine, but I did understand his joy in performing his craft to a level that compelled you to join in on the laughter.

Nationally, I know he will be missed in a year that has often seemed lacking in humour of any kind to relieve us even tempoirarily of our miseries.