Leonard Mason Smith was apparently a man of few words and little patience for the nation's paper of record. Per Mediaite, his obituary made a very specific and slightly rude request:

Following the words about his life and his family, this passage stands out with its request on how people can pay their respects.

Leonard Smith hated pointless bureaucracy, thoughtless inefficiency and bad ideas born of good intentions. He loved his wife, admired and respected his children and liked just about every dog he ever met. He will be greatly missed by those he loved and those who loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you cancel your subscription to The New York Times.

Leonard Smith would have thought that this obituary was about three paragraphs too long.

Well, then. I'm not sure if Leonard Smith had insider knowledge of the workings within the NY Times offices (although others who have would probably not contradict him) but it is interesting to me to know who was reading the obits carefully enough to actually cancel her subscription to the NY Times: Barbara Bush.