To coincide with Andy Rooney’s funeral in New York yesterday his grandson Justin Fishel pens a touching, funny essay for Fox News, where he’s a producer, in which he talks about how the “60 Minutes” icon influenced his life and career. An excerpt:
When I graduated from college he harassed me about work. He didn’t have much pity for the unemployed. He wanted to know what I was doing, like any curious grandfather. Well, I was living at home with my parents. So he took it upon himself to call at 5:30 am… every morning. He prided himself on being up early. I'd answer the phone next to my bed.
"Hello?" I'd say.
"Jud- you find work yet?” (He called me Jud)
"Grandpa?" I'd answer, in a half conscious stupor.
"Call me back when you find work," he'd say.
Then I'd get the obligatory Rooney dial tone that preceded any formalities such as a “goodbye,” or “talk to you later.”
