Goodbye, John

By on April 2, 2015 12:28 pm in Brooklyn Heights

John Loscalzo—a.k.a Homer Fink, the King of Brooklyn Heights, the CEO of the Brooklyn Heights Blog—passed away yesterday.

John started the blog in 2006 when he was new to the neighborhood—he brought a reporter’s integrity to the site along with a devilish wit and insatiable curiosity about both the beautiful and the quirky of Brooklyn Heights. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the spirit of this neighborhood will be so much different without him.

At the time of his passing, John was the Director of Music for CBS Local, and had previously worked for MTV and radio stations like WNYU and K-Rock.

John leaves behind the two loves of his life—his wife, Tracy Zamot, and their daughter, Gracie. He also leaves behind a million friends and fans who will miss his goofy camera grin; his brilliant ideas; his encyclopedic knowledge of music; and the Homer Fink Hidden Brooklyn Heights Walking Tour.

It’s not like me to be at a loss for words, but this is all I can really say right now. Please share your thoughts and remembrances below, and I will post additional information when I hear.

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  • Andrew Porter

    I initially thought this was some horrible, inappropriate April Fool’s joke, but the real world has intruded into our blessed neighborhood. Loscalzo’s sudden and shocking demise has deprived us all of a really nice guy, a loving husband and father, and a neighborhood suddenly bereft. It was a joy to know him, and I wonder now about this future of this beloved blog.

    More details about him are here:

    http://tinyurl.com/on9c4a4

  • GodwinsLawyer

    a wonderful writer and host, and more importantly, a wonderful guy. his passing leaves a void in so many lives. prayers and thoughts for Tracy and Gracie.

  • ionFreeman

    I was very sorry to hear this. My condolences to his wife and daughter, and to our entire neighborhood.

  • AlexT

    I also have no words, John was a friend and neighbor. Our love to Tracy and Gracie

  • Mary

    What a devastating loss for his beautiful family and the entire neighborhood. Brooklyn Heights without “Homer Fink” in its midst is unthinkable. I’m not one to pray, but I’ll be praying for Tracy and Gracie.

  • CassieVonMontague

    This is heartbreaking news. The whole neighborhood will miss him.

  • Weegee

    John was, in many ways, my best press agent. I’ve lost count of how many catchy slogans he came up with to describe me. He gave me an outlet for my work, the stuff that ended up on the newsroom floor at the Daily News, but had local interest. In fact, I never thought of him as “a guy with a blog,” he embodied the qualities of a true “news editor” — only friendlier. I’ll always remember being his guest on The Homer Fink Show in 2008, and our many behind-the-scenes, fast-firing e-mails while we sorted out the latest bit of neighborhood murder and mayhem. I’ll never forget the day I ran into him with his wife and daughter on the street; you could see how proud he was of them. Thanks for everything, Homer. -Marc “Weegee” Hermann. -30-

  • Mike from Brooklyn

    Very sad and surprised by this devastating news. My condolences to Tracy, Gracie and John’s many, many friends. All of us are diminished by this loss.

  • Reggie

    A shock. Condolences to his family and friends.

  • iLeonD

    I’ve known John for 20+ years. He is a great man. I’m still holding onto hope that this is the most inappropriate April Fool’s joke ever created as I’m processing this. I have nothing but love, prayers, and thoughts for Tracy and Gracie.

  • Teresa

    Unbearably, inconceivably sad. An irreplaceable voice for and in our neighborhood, which will not be the same without him. He leaves an unfillable void.

  • http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com ClaudeScales

    John brought me on board BHB, indulged my quirks, and became a valued friend, as did Tracy. My heartfelt condolences to her, and to Gracie.

  • resident

    End of an era, for sure. Thoughts are with his family.

  • District 13 parent

    Very sad. I never met him in person, but he just seemed like a great guy. Best wishes to his family.

  • paul_cs

    Deepest condolences to John’s family. We love reading BHB and John was obviously a big part of its awesomeness. I used to see John on the subway, and always wanted to mention how much I appreciated him running this blog.

    deepest condolences to his wife and daughter.

  • Ann B Chapin

    What a terrible loss this is! John will be missed. I have no words except to say that his wife and daughter are in my prayers.

  • Jonathan T

    John and I worked together at CBS Local and I remember, fondly, the first time we met after he joined the company. We were introduced before the start of a big meeting and congenially went over our mutuals: we’d both worked at MTV, had friends in common, loved the old WNEW, so forth and so on. The meeting occurred and as we adjourned, John and I found ourselves together at the door. He grinned and gestured for me to pass first, with a courteous flourish of his hand. And in his best Jimmy Durante voice belted out, “How ya doin’ Jacky!!”

    When I left the company, he took me out to lunch. We remained in contact in the past year as our schedules allowed. I’m shocked, saddened and devastated by the loss of this gentle, unique man and my condolences extend to his wife, daughter and all those who miss him.

  • Karl Junkersfeld

    Incredible. A true Brooklyn Heights Icon. A man who not only touched my life directly but many others in the neighborhood. My heart goes out to Tracy and Gracie. My life is diminished by his passing but I am truly thankful for the time I had with him through my contributions to his wonderful Brooklyn Heights Blog. A man wise beyond his years. A truly great loss to the neighborhood. I am very sad.

  • Peter Loibl

    I am truly saddened to read this news. I never had the pleasure of meeting John, but it’s amazing how much of an impact a “stranger” can have on your day to day life. My sincerest condolences to Tracy and Gracie … I hope these wonderful words of fellow BHBers bring you some peace knowing how much of impact he made. RIP John.

  • perryschaffer

    Damn. Very saddened to read this. I did not know John personally but I’m an avid reader of the blog and I know the commitment it takes to maintain a blog like this. Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

  • Liam

    I shared an office with John’s wife last year and was having one of what would become several enjoyable lunches. I casually mentioned some issue I was having with the park and she said ‘have you heard of BHB? My husband in Homer Fink, let me tell him…’ As a long time reader I felt I’d just got an ‘in’ with Heights royalty. What I later learned after spending all too brief a time talking and facebooking with him was I had a shot at being one of what seems like an endless number of people who would enjoy the company of a clearly unique warm witty intelligent and caring soul. It’s testament to the whole family that even their newest of friends can feel devastated at this loss. Tracy and Gracie are going to be in our thoughts.

  • Kenn Lowy

    Such horrible news. He was a great guy.

  • TBE11

    Smart, hilarious, and just a great dude. I was shocked to get the news this morning. I first met Homer at Magnetic Field, where he was a standout character amongst a room of real characters. If you were lucky enough, you got to see him host “Homer Fink’s Fists of Fury,” a mess of a game show that was as absurdly entertaining as anything I’ve seen in a bar. My condolences to Tracy and Gracie.

    RIP, big man.

  • Bongo

    Surprised and sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences to his family.

  • Ashok Bhalla

    Loscalzo was one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever known. When we met years and years ago at K-Rock, I realized quickly that the guy on the radio was even more funny, witty, and intelligent than I expected. The world lost a great man. Loving husband. Dedicated father. I remain in shock. Devastated. Nothing but love to Tracy and Gracie.

  • francesco

    We’ve all got shocked after reading this.
    We had the chance to serve John and his family many many times and every single one he’d been a real pleasure to deal with. Happy, smart, funny and extremely gentle towards our staff (which often argued to have him sat in their section, everybody wanted to serve him and his wonderful ladies).

    Tracy and Gracie please accept our most sincere condolances.

    Good bye John, our players are for you and your family, we will never forget you and we’ll be for ever thankful for your support.

  • AEB

    Heartbreaking news. The few times I met John I felt immediately a bond of mind and sensibility. This blog is a testament to both in every sense.

    Deeply felt condolences to his wife and young daughter, and to all others who were close to him.

    AEB

  • http://www.danpatterson.com/ Dan Patterson

    Heather, this is a really wonderful post. Thank you.

  • http://www.shootlikeagirlphotography.com/ lauren

    I was saddened to read this news. My condolences go to his loved ones– especially his wife and daughter!

  • Diana B

    We moved to Brooklyn Heights two years ago and took Homer Fink’s tour immediately to learn about our new neighborhood. We signed up for this blog which has made our transition so much easier. What a tremendous loss to all of us. Let’s ask our leaders to think of a way to honor this man who contributed so much to all of us.

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