Gregory Peck has passed.
There are going to be plenty of kind things said about the man and his work by writers more talented than I am. I only offer this simple personal reflection:
Atticus Finch, as played by Gregory Peck, shaped my idea of what it means to be a southern man. He was gifted at oratory but soft-spoken, free from hatred and prejudice, slow to anger but firm enough to be a good father. He made others welcome at his table. He was patient with Dill, who apparently had no dad. He ate with his napkin in his lap, kept his shoes shined and was a hell of a shot. When he had time to himself, he read books.
Mr. Finch, we hardly knew you.
Would that each of us aspired to be such a gentleman.
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