The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph courtesy of Cookie Curci-Wright

Doctor of Love: The late Leo F. Buscaglia offered encouragement and assistance to many, including this columnist.

In memory of 'The Hug Doctor'

By Cookie Curci-Wright

Anyone who enjoys reading a good book or watching public television is acquainted with the words of human-relations author Leo F. Buscaglia (a.k.a. "The Hug Doctor").

The world-renowned writer, lecturer and former columnist for the New York Times sold nearly 11 million copies of his popular books during his career. Among them: Living, Loving, and Learning, Loving Each Other, Love, Bus 9 to Paradise and his 15th and last bestseller, The Love Cookbook. Writing extensively on the subject of love and selfless giving, Leo was known worldwide as the Doctor of Love.

Aside from a recent guest appearance on television's satirical Politically Incorrect, Leo had curtailed many of his public-speaking tours and television lectures in recent years to devote more time to his special endeavors.

Sadly, my dear friend Leo succumbed to a heart ailment this past June. The world will be a lesser place for his passing. But the goals of his selfless giving will continue through his many books as well as the work being done by the Felice Foundation, which he founded in 1984.

There's old saying that goes, "If you want something done, ask a busy man to do it." Leo exemplified this motto. As founder of the Felice Foundation (pronounced "feh-lee-chay, the Italian word for peace and joy), he dedicated his time and funding to the education of elementary schoolchildren on the importance of selfless giving.

"Oftentimes, children need to be reminded that their greatest joy can be to give of themselves. The real gifts are those that are given just because you want to give them," Leo told the children. "My father used to tell us that it cost nothing to be nice, but, oh my, what rewards come from it."

Inspired by this belief in human nature, The Felice Foundation produced a video, A Memory For Tino, based on a poignant children's book written by Leo.

The Felice Foundation offers the video to elementary schools as a teaching tool on the importance of friendships and giving. Tino, the 10-year-old title character, extends himself to the "neighborhood witch," whom he soon discovers is no witch at all, but a kind and giving elderly lady with a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies. The story emphasizes intergenerational friendships, a subject many believe has been too long absent from elementary textbooks.

Some of Hollywood's finest participated in the production of this film. Henry Mancini donated the soundtrack shortly before he died; the film is dedicated to his memory. Actress Susan Sullivan, who played Tino's mother, also worked for free. Production work was donated by Todd A-O Productions, as well as other companies.

"Our goal," Leo said, "is to make this video available to all elementary schools and youth groups across the nation and eventually to all senior citizen programs at no charge to them." The Felice Foundation has covered production costs, but distribution charges still must be met.

A Memory for Tino is available nationally by satellite to schools subscribing to the educational broadcast service of the Public Broadcasting System. Approximately 30,000 schools have access to this satellite program, and I'm proud to say our own San Jose Unified School District has recently made the video available.

The Felice Foundation is a nonprofit charity dedicated to spreading the spirit of giving. The foundation offers startup grants to small groups and organizations that promote selfless giving within their communities. With Leo's estate providing the overhead costs, 100 percent of all contributions flows directly to the grants.

This tradition of giving began many years ago when Leo was traveling in Hong Kong. It was there he met a Chinese refugee named Wong, who, with his family, was living in poverty. In order to find work, Wong needed to learn English. Leo paid for Wong's tuition to an English-language school. Years later, Wong was prepared to pay back what he saw as a great debt. Instead, he was encouraged by Dr. Buscaglia to give the money to another person who showed Wong's determination. In this way it might continue to touch many lives.

I'm personally going to miss the wonderful anticipation I felt at finding one of Leo's letters in my mailbox, letters that were generously filled with words of praise and encouragement, both for my daily life as well as for my writing. As Italian Americans, Leo and I shared similar family backgrounds. It was Leo's touching and sometimes humorous tales of family, love and tradition that served as a catalyst for my own family-oriented column 10 years ago.

My dear friend will be missed.

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