I always told H that Paul Newman was my 'safety guy' in case things didn't work out with us, lol.
I am so sad about his passing.
I know he was 83 and had cancer and, well, he wouldn't live forever, but still...what a fine man, husband and father...all around.
I loved his quote to Playboy years ago when asked about straying from Joanne Woodward: "I have steak at home, why would I go out for hamburger." Is that not the kind of man any woman would want?
Years ago while doing some work on the road, a colleague (W) and I came upon his farmhouse in Westport. W was actually acquianted with Mr. Newman from years earlier and thought that maybe Mr. Newman would remember him, so he pulled into the driveway. W knew how much I loved him and his wife and was hopeful that he'd not only be there but would let us in (yeah, right!). Anyway, W rang the buzzer and a voice came on and when he tried to convince the guy that he was friends with Paul Newman...there was a click and then another voice came on and said, "Tell W that Mr. Newman says hello, but he's not available for visitors today." It sounded like him, but you know that could have all been in my head and probably was. Regardless...I was just excited to be that close to him. Hahah - how lame is that? It was a fun story to tell my H anyway.
A sad loss all around.