Loss

Today I got the news that a very old and dear friend had died, it was sudden and overseas so unfortunately many of us were unable to attend his funeral.

This man was very special to me, in many  ways the father I never had, also my mentor through the last 25 plus years.

Growing up without any kind of strong male figure in my life, always meant i looked for strong men to relate to, he was my manager and trainer and taught me how to run and succeed in business, both he and his wife were both my staunchest supports through the early years of my career, and friendship developed from there.

He always said we were cut from the same cloth, which was very high praise indeed, he was a hard taskmaster, a perfectionist, but was fair in his dealings with all, and he pushed me many times to my limits, but it paid off, and when it was time to go out on my own, he was always there to give guidance when needed at any time.

I always am better when surrounded by straight forward people, I like to know where I stand, and he was exactly that never mincing his words, he’d shoot from the hip and rarely missed, I appreciate that, and the magical thing is that you don’t feel bad afterwards, it just makes you strive to do better.

My contact in recent years has been sporadic, because of my personal problems, and was unable to reach out, although I knew he knew I was having problems, his way was just to wait until I contacted him, he knew also how stubborn I could be, and had said over the years that I suffered from pride! he of course was right, now I won’t be able to tell him why I didn’t go to him and explain and that things are now slowly turning around, but I’ve feeling he would understand.

He leaves his lovely wife and daughter behind, and how they will miss him he was a “one-off” a character and you certainly don’t come across many that fit that description, but I’m so glad I did, though  he is no longer here, I will carry his words of wisdom with me always.

I’ll be raising a glass or two in his memory tonight.