Sports Brooklyn Boro

We called him Adels, I called him my friend

November 8, 2021 Andy Furman

Steven Edelstein. Photo courtesy of Andy Furman

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He was Adels.

Nothing fancy — just Adels.

In fact, most people actually thought that was his name.

If you’re wondering, it was Steven Edelstein.

And last week I got the shocking, gut-wrenching news that he passed at the age of 71.

Nope — you wouldn’t call him an athlete – although he had the size of a pro football offensive lineman.

But what he was – and always will be – a true, loyal friend.

He was a Midwood High grad, and we first met at summer camp some, gulp 40-plus years ago. It was at Kutsher’s Camp Anawana in Monticello, New York.

He was a partner, recruiting and Regional Head of talent acquisition for North America for Capital Markets Advisors LLC.

He was with the company since its inception.

The friendship continued for years – or at least until I packed my bags and left Brooklyn.

He was a Friday night regular at our house – he’d pick me up and we’d scoot over to Junior’s in downtown Brooklyn for what was the best buffet in the world – and, of course a couple of cold, adult beverages.

He loved sports – but I think he loved me even more because who in their right mind would sit through a Division III Hunter College basketball game?

He did – many times – when I served as sports publicist for the school.

That’s loyalty.

Nope – that’s friendship.

He did the same when I switched loyalties and publicized sports at Brooklyn’s St. Francis College.

There he was –more often than not – seated in the stands at the Physical Education Center – and striking up a conversation with Brother Ronald.

When I accepted a summer position at Timber Lake Camp in Shandaken, New York years ago, it was Adels who decided to pack his bags and spend eight weeks in upstate New York with me.

I haven’t seen Adels in years –although I did wish him a happy birthday last month before he got seriously ill.

That is my loss – and a big one at that.

Perhaps I never realized, until now, what a friend he was.

Or make that – one he’ll always be.

This loss is one of the toughest for me – and it’s being replayed daily.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR