Letter: Andy Rooney spoke his mind

When Andy Rooney passed, I thought, wouldn't it be great if I could be more like him ["He made griping an art form," News, Nov. 6]? Rooney said what he meant. He lived for 92 years, had so many admirers and pulled no punches!

So, I decided the next time I came across a situation that I would normally tolerate for the sake of others, I would be completely honest, just like Andy.

I was driving, and my big Italian family were all talking at the same time, talking over one another and getting louder. A soothing, familiar song came on the radio, and I decide to play it loud.

The yapping slowed, and my wife asked, "Why did you make the radio so loud?" So, I came out with it: "I turned the music loud, hoping that all of you would stop yapping over each other and start harmonizing in any way, shape or form with the song, because the loud chatter is annoying, and I'm tired of listening to it."

There was silence . . . and then they all started harmonizing! I'll miss you, Andy.

Anthony D'Avanzo, Merrick