This is one of the most difficult posts I’ve had to write. For the first time, I’ve experienced a personal loss with someone from work.

We all have people from work we are friends with.  But because work is work, those relationships tend to have a different tenor. You don’t “overshare”, and you don’t see each other on weekends or take vacations together. Maybe you share Christmas cards.  You’re bound together because of shared experiences, daily interaction….you probably see some of these people more than your loved ones.

This week, I experienced the unexpected loss of someone who was a work person. While I knew how much I depended on him, how much I respected him, how much I valued him….I didn’t realize how much I actually loved him.

That person is someone named Jimmy. Jimmy worked with me, and we recently were teamed up together working on a new engagement. I spoke to him every single day, multiple times a day. He was my sanity check, the person who explained things to me I didn’t understand. He had the patience of a saint and always saw the bright side to every situation.

Jimmy was shy, an introvert. He was a large presence physically, but with a soft voice and a slight lisp that bellied his physical presence.  He was smart, inclusive, the ultimate “roll up your sleeves” problem solver. He forgave mistakes and helped people no matter what. All you needed was one meeting with him to know that you were dealing with someone who was, deep down, a good person and would always always always do the right thing.  When he and I worked on one of the biggest transactions of our lives, all I knew was that there was only one person’s opinion I cared about in that crowded room…and that was Jimmy’s.

Jimmy passed away suddenly last week. Since then, I hear his voice in my head as it relates to work, and I think to myself “I need to call Jimmy” and reach for the phone only to then remember.  His passing was too soon in so many ways.  While I don’t understand it, I know he’s still Jimmy, probably helping God manage Heaven.

If you remember Jimmy, or have a Jimmy in your life, his family has suggested donations to:

The Cleary School for the Deaf

301 Smithtown Blvd

Smithtown NY 11787

Rest in peace my friend. You are loved.