In Memoriam: Ethan Falkowitz
One coach called him “The Champion”. Another coach referred to him as the future Valedictorian. His grandfather referred to him as a “Renaissance Man”. Hundreds of kids called him their best friend. To Lynne, Landon, Reese and me, he was just “E”. To say that Ethan made a positive impact on this world and everyone that he encountered doesn’t come close to characterizing the type of human being our son was. He was destined for victory.
Ethan Hayden Falkowitz was born on March 5, 2009 in New York City. He picked up his first racket when he was 5 years old and never looked back. The thing that Ethan loved most about tennis was the idea that you could control certain outcomes. If you had a high first serve percentage, the odds were in your favor; The longer you kept the rally going, the more likely your opponent might make a mistake; If you kept your opponent moving, it would likely tire them; Most importantly, the more you practiced, the better you became.
Ethan was one of the most logical, diligent, driven, well-rounded and happy young men that you could ever come across. He was well beyond your average youth tennis player, having won his last USTA tennis tournament and having started every match for the Roslyn High School tennis team as an 8th grader. But Ethan was so much more than just a great tennis player.
Ethan’s grades were phenomenal. His goals were lofty. His kindness was unmatched. His skills were sharp. His laugh and smile were contagious. And his ability to find a positive in every situation and a solution to every problem was exemplary. Ethan leaves behind a legacy that can never be erased and a void that can never be filled.
Athletically, academically, personally, socially, and morally, Ethan was exceptional. His beliefs were simple and of the highest regard: Encourage others to believe in themselves, share what he learned, ask questions, be a role model to his younger brother and sister, proactively help those around him, and find time to enjoy life. Ethan just got it. Generations of families might never understand the concept of unconditional love and happiness the way Ethan did, and the way Ethan exemplified, in his 14 years.
Those who knew Ethan the best haven’t stopped raving about his tremendous inner confidence. He didn’t brag or boast in any way. He would raise people up, compliment them, call them by their first names and know things about them and their families. He made people feel like their lives mattered, like they mattered, whether through his playful gestures of giving them nicknames, remembering them from elementary school and saying “Hi” in the hallways or on the streets, or being the first to start a congratulatory cheer for someone. He found reasons to help, he found reasons to celebrate, he found reasons to encourage…all with an ease and grace, and without the need for credit, that made him unequivocally extraordinary.
A testament to Ethan’s character is that he was not willing to step on your back to get ahead alone. Rather, he preferred to carry you on his shoulders to ensure that you got ahead together. His selflessness was a true superpower.
On May 3, 2023, the world lost a champion, both on and off the court.
