Arnie Reisman, Journalist, Former Island Poet Laureate

Bill Eville Monday, October 4 2021 - 11:25am

Mr. Reisman died suddenly early Monday, his wife Paula Lyons confirmed. He was 79 and was a columnist for the Vineyard Gazette.

Arnie Reisman, journalist, playwright, poet, television and film producer, and raconteur who led with a smile and backed it up with a quick wit, died suddenly early Monday, his wife Paula Lyons confirmed. He was 79.

A man who had his fingers on the pulse of nearly every corner of Island life and was curious about everything and everyone, he embraced politics, social justice issues, puns, ferry and Vineyard Haven post office woes, and turned everything into art. He was the Vineyard poet laureate from 2014-2017, was a member of the Cleaveland House Poets, and was the current board chairman of the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, where he also performed in numerous productions, many of which he wrote and directed. He also hosted the playhouse’s poetry cafe.

“I am in shock,” said MJ Bruder Munafo, executive and artistic director of the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. “He was our leader at the theater, our board president. He was irrepressible in the best way, with a big personality and we loved him so much.”

Mr. Reisman had been a columnist for the Vineyard Gazette for over a decade, his essays chronicling the intersections of Island life and his own eclectic career. He had extraordinary recall for details and throughout his career had found himself frequently in the middle of historic events. He wrote about those events along with issues big and small, from Groundhog Day and parsnips, to racial equality, the Gardner Museum art heist and covering Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin concerts in the 1960s.

In a recent column he looked back on his time as a young reporter at East High School in Denver, Colo. The current high school editor, Leo Kamin, at his alma mater had tracked him down for an interview, which Mr. Reisman used as material.

“I see by the headlines from your era you had about six dances a year,” Leo noted. “We have only one.”

My response: “That’s because we discovered rock’n’roll.”

Arnie Reisman was born on May 1, 1942 in Chicago and grew up in Denver, Colo. He graduated from Brandeis University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. During his long career as a journalist based mostly in Boston he was editor of Boston After Dark, which later became the Boston Phoenix, did feature writing for the Boston Globe and numerous other publications, was a television producer for Consumer Reports, WGBH, WCVB, where he produced a profile of Norman Bridwell the creator of Clifford the Big Red Dog books, for which he won a New England regional Emmy award.

With his wife Paula Lyons, he was also a panelist on NPR’s Says You!, the long-running comedy quiz show. His final column for the Gazette, filed earlier this week, was a tribute to the show.

His documentary film work included Hollywood on Trial, an examination of the red scare and blacklist period in American history, The Big Dig, The Powder and the Glory, about the rivalry of Helen Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, which became the basis for the Broadway musical War Paint, staring Patti Lupone and Christine Ebersol.

His Vineyard credits would require a 10-act play to list, ranging from books of poetry, nearly a decade of columns for the Gazette, to numerous plays and films.

“He had so much to say to all of us and aren’t we so lucky he did say so much to us in so many forms,” Ms. Bruder Munafo said.

His friend Dr. Gerald Yukevich recalled a man who was as committed to social justice as he was the arts. Mr. Reisman was the former vice president of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, and on the board of the Vineyard Conservation Society and the Martha's Vineyard Social Justice Leadership Foundation.

"Though his wit and intelligence were keen, he was also a powerful moral force for justice, for freedom, and for giving wings to the imagination of individuals and of our struggling democratic society," Mr. Yukevich said.

Mr. Reisman and Paula Lyons, his wife of 39 years, were inseparable and well known in the Vineyard community. They met in 1979, when they first started working together. In a 2008 profile in the Gazette, they both admitted that the first date did not go well.

“I took her to a place that just about killed the relationship,” Mr. Reisman recalled. “A Japanese restaurant in Back Bay, one of these places that was totally into Japanese custom. You had to take your shoes off and fold your legs under the table. I watched her do this and she was as comfortable as an erector set, disassembling before my eyes. She’d never had Japanese food before. It didn’t go well. I was a nervous wreck.”

Despite the awkward first date, the couple gave it a second chance.

“Our next date was a shopping expedition to buy her some home appliances,” Mr. Reisman said. “There was less at stake I guess, and we hit it off.”

Not long after they were married they rented a house on the Vineyard in 1983.

“I had never been here,” Ms. Lyons said in the story. “But he said ‘Let’s just rent a house for July and if you hate it, we never have to go back again. We found a house on the Middle Road, and it was magical.”

The couple moved to the Island full-time in 2011 and became involved in nearly every corner of Vineyard life, together and as individuals.

“I am bereft,” Ms. Lyons told Gazette Monday morning. “It was a great life. His friends are a legion.”

A graveside service will be held on Friday, Oct. 8, 12 pm, at Abel’s Hill Cemetery in Chilmark.

Comments

Always liked when I saw him

Bob Edgartown

Always liked when I saw him at an event I was attending as then I knew It was going to be a fun or at least an interesting night. Safe travels

Arnie And Paula have been

Joel Aronie 1 west meados

Arnie And Paula have been friends of ours for decades. The passing of this sweet brilliant man has made a huge hole in my heart, and I'm sure anyone who has followed and read his insightful articles plays and poetry feel the same way! Paula we are with you in your loss.

Arnie was so funny, creative,

Gregg Seattle

Arnie was so funny, creative, brilliant, and generous. I enjoyed working alongside him for a few years on "Says You!" (NOT "Says Who.") This is such a sorrowful shock; we send our love to Paula, to all their friends and family, to his fellow panelists, and to all his radio fans.

The wittiest, warmest man.

Geraldine Brooks West Tisbury

The wittiest, warmest man. An island treasure.

Such sad news.

James Lapine

Such sad news.

So saddened to hear this. His

Kris

So saddened to hear this. His wit and creativity were always in abundance with his wife on Says You on NPR. Arnie was also a gem in the Island community. Rest in Peace and condolences to his family.

Funniest person I knew, such

Cori Field Charlottesville

Funniest person I knew, such a force for good on the island. An irreparable loss.

Passionate, committed,

Marc Rosenbaum West Tisbury

Passionate, committed, hilarious, huge of heart.
Sincere condolences to Paula and his family.

Shocked and saddened. Such a

John Washbrook West Tisbury

Shocked and saddened. Such a likeable, interesting, talented, creative, funny, and productive man. Age couldn't slow him down. This is hard news to accept. Much love to Paula.

Devastated. We shared a May 1

Nancy aronie Chilmark

Devastated. We shared a May 1 birthday. We had the same mothers. I just commented on yet another of his brilliant posted poems on FB. I loved him with my whole heart. I love you Paula. This is just f****** too much!!!

So sad to learn of this

Diane Lexington Ma

So sad to learn of this devastating loss. Such a warm, lovely man. Sending love & light to his family.

All of my thoughts are going

Chip Coblyn OB

All of my thoughts are going to Paula.

I am a member of the

Warren Woessner Minneapolis

I am a member of the Cleaveland House poets, where Arnie helped us find good poetry, and I am on the Board of the Vineyard Conservation Society, where Arnie helped us find good people to advance our work. Our island is a better place because he Paula chose to live here!

He was warm and larger than

Jeffrey Kramer Los Angeles

He was warm and larger than life and greeted everyone with a smile, open heart and kindness! He will be sorely missed.

Arnie was a rare combination

Bill Swartz Chilmark

Arnie was a rare combination of wit, wisdom, heart and soul. He will be dearly missed. Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to Paula.

Can’t believe it! Our days

Howard Wolk Brookline

Can’t believe it! Our days go back to Boston After Dark. Just seeing Arnie put a smile on my lips. My thoughts are with you, Paula.

This is such a shock. He was

zelda gamson Brookline, Mass (soon: Vineyard Haven)

This is such a shock. He was everywhere on the island. I once saw him working the sound for Island Community Chorus while Paula sang in it. He advised me to move to Vineyard Haven from up-island. Who could resist that Arnie?

I'm so sad to hear about

Robin Canha West Tisbury

I'm so sad to hear about Arnie Reisman's passing. I saw him less than two months ago and did not know it would be the last time. My condolences to Paula Lyons and Arnie's entire family. This island has suffered a great loss.

Devastating news. Arnie’s

Ken Baltin Needham, MA

Devastating news. Arnie’s warmth, whimsy and embrace of the sweet oddness of humanity struck beautiful chords of recognition in me. It was always gratifying for me to feel myself on his wave length. What a wonderful man we have lost. My deeply felt condolences to Paula.

I just sat down like a stone.

Julie Anne VH

I just sat down like a stone. Mr. Reisman (Arnie) was so incredibly gracious, kind, funny, but most of all, from my very tertiary observation, he really saw/heard/absorbed everyone with such respect, intellect and empathy. He treated people with such decency. We are all less for the loss of him.

Our hearts are broken at the

Linda and Gaston Vadasz WT

Our hearts are broken at the loss of our friend. His warm heart, quick wit and wisdom will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to Paula.

So many fun times together. -

Barbara Cohen Boston

So many fun times together. - even with Floyd farting under the dinner table. Unbelievable that he is gone. So much love to Paula.❤️

I loved seeing Arnie and

Thomas Cox Vineyard Haven

I loved seeing Arnie and Paula strolling around the neighborhood almost every night around sundown. He always had something up beat or humorous to say through the rolled down window, or just a smile and wave as you drove by- He’s what community minded is all about.

There was simply nothing like

robert skydell Granada, Nicaragua

There was simply nothing like Arnie. I loved his Gazette pieces, his radio persona, his wit and endless humor.
I still savor that incomparable dinner of nonstop laughter at Abby Hirsch´s years ago with Arnie, Paula, Judy Belushi, Jessica Harris, me and Abby. What a time we had!

I am shocked and saddened to

Melanie Wagner Vineyard Haven

I am shocked and saddened to hear this news. I always enjoyed running into you, Paula, and Arnie and hoped to see more of you two. I loved reading Arnie's poems and hearing him at poetry readings. Arnie's and my long ago family connection was also important to me. My thoughts are with you, Paula.

We shall not see his like

joann green breuer Boston

We shall not see his like again

We were all made better by

Jessica Harris Oak Bluffs

We were all made better by his passing this way. To say that he will be missed in rank understatement. The island is diminished by his demise. My condolences and sympathy to Paula and to their entire families. Even the sky is crying with us today.

What a writer! A writers'

Larry Mollin MARINA DEL REY

What a writer! A writers' writer. Every form of creative expression. Everyone knows he was quick witted and frankly hysterical but his poems had resonance beyond laughs. They held truths about the human condition and current conditions with heart and honesty. This leaves a crater in the community. Much love to Paula from Dee and I. Spirit soar, man! There's gotta be more.

All of us who knew Arnie and

Anthony Everett Boston, MA

All of us who knew Arnie and Paula from their WCVB years and beyond are so saddened to hear this news. What a gem of a man, and what a great couple. Paula, we are all thinking of you here and holding you close in our hearts.

"was a member of the

Valerie Sonnenthal Chilmark

"was a member of the Cleaveland House Poetry society since its inception" - No Arnie was not even living on the Vineyard when Dionis Coffin Riggs started the Cleaveland House Poets (not a society) at her family home. William Marks Waterway invited Arnie Reisman to join our group and simultaneously had him accept the position of MV Poet Laureate. Arnie created the Poetry Cafe at the MV Playhouse, supported Island poetry and was an inspiration to all.

He was truly a gift to all

Martin Hanley Dedham, MA

He was truly a gift to all who knew him, read his work or listened to him on the radio. Saddened for his family.

Arnie, safe journey my friend

Carole Aquinnah

Arnie, safe journey my friend. Arnie knew how to make his audiences laugh using witty commentaries and humorous poetry. He was a rock for many throughout MV.

As they say, "laughter is good medicine" therefore, the Vineyard has lost a weaver of words, an activist for island causes, a spokesman for the performing and written arts, and a pharmacological genius of "good medicine". My condolences to Paula and his family.

Freshman year at Brandeis,

Bob Levin Berkeley, CA

Freshman year at Brandeis, someone's dog was in the dining hall, barking. Arnie barely looked over his shoulder and said, "You ought to do something about that cough." I still quote him.

I loved listening to Paula

Ann Graham Manchester Vermont

I loved listening to Paula and Arnie on the radio and keeping in touch with the island and the world through Arnie's columns. I looked forward to them. I Never met either Arnie or Paula but I am grateful for the gifts he shared with me.

Well said. Couldn't agree

Loretta Alper Northampton, MA

Well said. Couldn't agree more.

Our dearest friend for half a

Jeanne Barron West Tisbury

Our dearest friend for half a century. Hard to imagine a world without Arnie.

Arnie & Paula, although not

Barbara & Hal Simonetti Harrisonburg, Virginia

Arnie & Paula, although not family, were our family. An extraordinary couple and to know Arnie has left that twosome is impossible to believe. Our hearts are broken and ache for dear Paula.
Barbara & Hal Simonetti

I miss Arnie forever, but in

Julie Jaffe Chilmark

I miss Arnie forever, but in his memory I’ll support the Mass ACLU, the Vineyard Playhouse, Island housing and anything else I think he might have thrown himself into. And we still have Paula.

Arnie brought poetry, passion

Carol Rose Boston

Arnie brought poetry, passion, and wit to this world. A dear friend who shall be missed.

Godspeed King.

Devin Fitzgerald Reston Planet Earth

Godspeed King.

He was my father's best

Jonah Lipsky

He was my father's best friend, but as my father Jon would say, he was a lot of peoples best friend. He was a key family friend of ours and maintained that after his close friend, my father, passed away. I am at a loss realizing that such a bright soul who felt like an anchor in a certain way is no longer with us.

Mr. Reisman was a playwright, storyteller and panelist on the NPR quiz show Says You!

Arnie Reisman, Journalist, Former Island Poet Laureate

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