Warm thoughts and memories from Jeffrey's friends and family can be found in the comments of this post. Some of these were given at Jeffrey's eulogy. Currently, comments are from Mark Olenik, Jim & Marie Seckers, Nick Lombardo, and Kathy (& Jeff) Kamps:
These comments were given to me by Jim Seckers. I am adding them here:
ReplyDeleteJeff was a kind and gentle man who always had positive things to say about the people he knew. For all the years I've known Jeff, I never saw him get angry or verbally abuse anyone. He would do anything for anybody. His friendship enriched my life. His smile brought sunshine into my life. If I needed Jeff's help or advice, he was there for me without hesitation. He was a better friend to me than I probably was to him. Jeff was a class act, one for whom I'm going to miss more than he probably can ever imagine. May Jeff rest in peace.
Jim Seckers
These comments were given to me by Marie Seckers. I am adding them here:
ReplyDeleteBy happenstance, my husband Jim ran into Jeffrey a number of years ago and renewed a friendship that began by working together as young adults at a local Convenient Food Mart. They enjoyed reminiscing about the "old days" and I had the good fortune as Jim's wife, of being introduced to Jeffrey and his wife Monica.
When I think of Jeffrey I think of his patience, kindness and generosity. He was always willing to lend a hand or advice on any house project I might be contemplating at the time or any in house issue Jim had. I remember his kindness especially when we happened to tell him in passing that a friend of ours was looking for a job. He took the time to call us not once, but twice when openings at his work were about to come available.
He and Monica make a great pair -- a quick smile between them, a touch of the shoulder -- we saw that often during our visits to their home.
He always had a way of being present to you. Even-keeled, thoughtful and steady, his friendship has meant a lot to us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Jeffrey and Monica.
Until God.
Marie & Jim
These comments were given to me by Nick Lombardo. I am adding them here:
ReplyDeleteI'm not much for writing letters or sending cards or even telling people how I feel about them. But here goes. Recently we went to a Moody Blues concert. The music was great. As part of one of the songs goes: walking on this earth trying to find people like you is hard to do. I am your friend. Not only a friend, but a brother who I loved and appreciated more than my own. I always said if I had ten friends like you I'd be lucky, but I think I only have two really good ones that are there for me. I guess that makes me lucky. I know you were a true friend not just to me but to others that were close to you. Your heart was always in the right place. You were always faithful to your wife and to your friends who trusted you. And you helped very much whenever I or others needed something like car mechanics or electric or plumbing. If you could help fix it you would. And I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much from me and everybody else. May God bless you and may you rest in peace. You will be missed and appreciated by me and others, too. I am your friend and brother.
Nick Lombardo
These comments were given to me by Kathy (& Jeff) Kamps. I am adding them here:
ReplyDeleteI have known Jeff and Monika for 30 years. In 30 years I cannot count how many dinners, movies, concerts, cookouts and holidays that we have spent together. We also had some major vacations together including two trips to Florida and one to Las Vegas.
Jeffrey and my husband have been friends for over 30 years. The problem is that my husband’s name is also Jeffrey. It was always difficult when we were together to sometimes get the attention of the right husband. So like children who are in trouble with their parents, Monika and I generally had to include our husband’s last names if they were not in direct eye contact with us. It was always Jeffrey Kamps come here or Jeffrey Olenik do you want something to drink.
I know that Jeff liked his cars. He was always buying magazines about cars and books about car parts. When he was finished he would always pile them up and give them to my husband. I would find stacks of them all over the house. Monika and I generally agreed that when you bought a car that it was basically fine as it was. Jeff was always customizing his car with add-ons or upgrades. Monika did not always have the same day off as her husband. The nights that Monika had to work are the nights when these installations always occurred and generally my husband was with him for the installations. I would get into my husband’s car and notice some strange blue light or some additional speaker hooked up to the car. I would ask what it was all about. My husband would always say that Jeff O. had some spare parts that he didn’t need anymore. It was doubtful that Jeff O. had that many extra parts. I know it was part of some covert plan so that they would not get in trouble with their wives.
If it hasn’t been mentioned already, we all know that Jeff was everyone’s home repairman. I looked around this morning and I do not think that there is a room in my house that Jeff did not touch with some kind of repair. Sometimes you actually asked him to help and sometimes he just volunteered. You could mention something that needed to be fixed in passing and usually what would happen is that a couple of days later Jeff would call and say that he has picked up the necessary parts and would like to come over and install them. Jeff did not actually even need to know the person that needed the repair. You could mention to him that a friend of yours was having some kind of problem. He would always volunteer to take a look at it. He did not have to do these things. Jeff never asked to be paid. I believe that helping out his family and friends is what truly made him happy.
Jeff was a quiet guy and he was a brave guy. When he found out that he was sick and started all the treatments, he really never complained. You could ask how he was feeling and the worst comment he might make was “not so bad”. Jeff looked and sounded so good that it was hard to believe that this disease was really going to win.
Jeff was also not fond of being the center of attention. I am sure that he is a little uncomfortable right now with all this attention. But Jeff was a wonderful person and deserves to be honored . He is irreplaceable and will be missed by everyone.
Kathy (& Jeff) Kamps
These comments are from Mark Olenik, and were read at the eulogy. I am adding them here:
ReplyDelete"Jeff was born left-handed into a right-handed world. He had to learn at an early age to adapt/problem-solve. He was inquisitive and a good problem-solver. He was quite good at chess.
As a C student in school, he learned to be his own judge. Throughout his life, when Jeff worked on a project, he did not quit until he decided that it was done to his satisfaction.
As a child, he was hard-headed, stubborn and had a temper.
As an adult we would say Jeff had perseverance, stick-to-it-iveness and was passionate about whatever he committed himself to. His friends say he was fiercely loyal and giving.
I say Jeff was a gentle spirit and a brother I could always be with and count on.
He loved his cars especially his blue Mustang with the 351 engine.
He was passionate and proud of the Cleveland Indians – win or lose.
Two months ago Jeff came to Charlotte and we watched the Indians AAA team play our local Chicago White Sox AAA team. Of course, Jeff had his Indians cap on. Homer, the big green dragon mascot, came all the way up to our seats just to take the Indians hat off Jeff’s head and rub it under his armpit. Jeff took it all in good humor with that quiet smile.
His greatest love was his wife. Their relationship started as a special attraction and matured into a deep love that was obvious to anyone around them. They seemed complete with just each other.
I happened to leave a small travel pillow at Jeff’s house around the time he became bedridden with hospice drugs. My sister Sharon made it years ago and gave it as a Christmas present. We found out later that is was made with the feathers from Jeff’s favorite comforter as a child.
Even God helped comfort Jeff at the end.
Jeff passed away with that pillow under his left arm close to his heart."