Message #43340

[spitfire78]

He was definitely an A-type personality - a true workaholic who pushed himself harder than he pushed anyone else (and was always amazed when I kept in step with him!).  He was funny (he'd answer the phone in his office [internal calls only] - "Joe's Pizza" - just for the heck of it!).  He ALWAYS backed me up and defended me against anyone (inside or outside).  If he found a mistake I had made, he would always say "I just found this error - I must have mis-spoke when I told you that", even when it was obvious the mistake was mine!  I found myself telling him - no, this mistake was mine!  He always, always thanked me for everything I did.   He would always find time to talk to me no matter how busy he was (and I have never seen anyone busier).  He cared about my family - always asking about them.  In fact, the last time I saw him was about a week and a half before he died.  We were both in tears knowing this was the last time we would see each other.  It was just before New Years - and the last thing he said to me was to wish my folks a happy new year!  I have never worked harder in my life than during the 18 years that I worked for him, but if I could have it all back, I'd take it back in a heartbeat!