Today (Monday, August 2, 2021) I lost a dear friend. A brother I never had.
To all those who knew him, he was one of a kind and generous, almost to a fault. Funny and humble with a discipline unseen by most of us.
A discipline that was applied with equal vigour to his work and his pursuit of cycling whether it be in L'Etape du Tour de France, or the streets of New Providence, or taking part in a triathlon.
Jeff quietly accomplished so much more than many of us can dream to.
Joanne and I are so grateful we were able to spend a week with Jeff and Diane in April this year, accompanying them to Florida for Jeff’s check-up.
Even then he was checking out new products in the food store and sending messages to his associates at BWA for their consideration.
The results of his treatment were good so far, all things considered, so we were all ill prepared when his symptoms grew worse four weeks later. Then ten weeks ago he was air lifted to MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. Those 10 weeks seem like an eternity.
The last voice note I have from Jeff is on May 19 at 12:41pm, just three days after his birthday, was typical Jeff, apologising for not being better as if he was being an inconvenience to others by being ill. Maybe he just didn’t want the attention?
Since first meeting Jeff in the Rotary Club of East Nassau back in 1987 our families bonded. Whether it was boating trips to Rose Island or even a trip to Italy with ten other friends, or football trips with the guys, we did things together and he was always leading with the organisation and arranging fun activities.
Jeff loved life, and always encouraged people to do the same. His sense of humour was just great albeit inconvenient sometimes. Like inviting a dozen extra friends to a party he wasn’t organising causing the hosts to run out of food and drink. Or dropping the above mentioned football crew off to a nearby pharmacy and proceeding to a Halloween outlet store to buy a long blonde wig to drive back to collect us. Needless to say we didn’t recognize him and turned away from the car that looked like ours after proceeding to attempt to open the door.
A lover of puzzles, Jeff even enjoyed packing and repacking the rental car after a shopping trip until every box and suitcase fit.
Always a handyman I recall him fixing a hurricane shutter for a friend just before a storm arrived.
Not to mention the fabulous birthday parties he organized for Diane including a magician, a limo drive with a chance sighting of Sylvester Stallone to a sailing trip with friends.
Our circle of friends and family will miss you Jeff, but you will never, ever, be forgotten.
Your friendship, generosity and humour will always be remembered.
Your memory is treasured dear friend.
Cycle on Jeffrey. I, no we, love you.
