Blue Eyes’ body hid among dead Jews

ANT KATZ

Frank Sinatra would have turned 100 on December 12,  last year – which resulted in a flurry of centennial celebrations, books, exhibits and Sinatra-inspired concerts. Jack Daniel’s even issued a Sinatra Century blend (it was his favourite drink) and Uber offered a fleet of vintage cars so people in New York City could ride in Sinatra style.

However, despite so much new information emerging about the famous singer (and friend of Israel) that didn’t emerge in the centennial information blitz, was revealed last week – according to a story published on “The Jewniverse” – was the fact that Sinatra’s body was hidden after his death – in a Jewish funeral home.

Sinatra’s tombstone

Sinatra died on May 14, 1998 of a heart attack in Los Angeles. He was buried six days later at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, reportedly with a pack of Camel cigarettes, a bottle of Jack Daniels, a Zippo lighter and ten 10-cent coins – this last wish of his was supposedly so that he could phone from a callbox from wherever he was going.

Barry Wien, a funeral director in Fort Lee, New Jersey, told the story last week for the first time: “The LA funeral homes were besieged by paparazzi after Sinatra’s death, trying to get a shot of the body. The family wisely hid the remains at a Jewish funeral home to great effect.”

Absolutely! Who would have thought to look there?

• Though Sinatra wasn’t Jewish, he was a big activist for Jewish and Israeli causes, including a youth centre in the Arab town of Nazareth. It seems fitting then that when he faced “the final curtain”, he was given the solemnity he deserved.