My old friend Jerry died on Monday night after a long and ugly battle with cancer. He leaves behind his adored wife of 49 years, Beverly, his son Greg, daughter Kelly and several grandchildren. Jerry and I worked together for several years and I only saw him on occasion after he retired but I loved him dearly and will miss him, even though I know he's in a better place, free of the pain of the last couple of years.
Jerry was from a different era in my job, before the insane pressure, back when we could enjoy our jobs and could get to know each other. He retired 10 years ago and as it goes, I did not think of him every day but sometimes small things would remind me of him.
Jerry loved chocolate and one Christmas we chipped in and gave him one of those giant Hershey bars.
Jerry whistled all of the time and would get caught on one song and whistle it for days until one of us would call the force desk to beg for another song. I never hear 'Spring Spring Spring' from 7 Brides for 7 Brothers without hearing him whistle it.
Jerry had a joke about a parrot named Chet, who if you put a lighter under his left leg he sang 'Silent Night', if you put a lighter under his right leg he sang 'Jingle Bells' and if you put it dead center he sang 'Chets nuts roasting over an open fire'. I never hear that song either without thinking of Jerry and that stupid joke.
Jerry will leave this world in a plaid shirt just like I remember him every day. As Tim the Toolman Taylor always sad about Al: He's 1 part pasty white, 2 parts plaid.
Rest in peace, dear friend. We'll meet again someday.
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