Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Where to begin… I met Tim in Beaver Falls, NY at the paper mill. He was our new janitor, and within a couple weeks convinced me to hire him on as an Electrical Engineer. Fastest and biggest promotion ever, lol! We worked closely together every day for 3 years, and after work and on weekends we would enjoy a few beers together. He was incredibly intelligent and witty, we accomplished so much together, we made a great team. We both lived in company houses, although mine had a garage. If you knew Tim he never missed the opportunity to take a jab at you with that cheerful grin. I could always come back and say well at least I have a garage. It was a running joke between us. Don’t you know, after I moved away in ‘94, not only did he take my job as maintenance manager, but he tore my house down and then moved my garage down to his house. Yes, he took my garage just so he could rub that in, yes he had the last laugh there, but I could at least still call him my janitor. Oh he hated when I said that, which made it even more enjoyable to say! I moved to Indiana in ‘94 and then Alabama in ‘14. He moved on to work at Alcoa Messina, after a couple years I also took a job working at Alcoa Warwick, IN. We talked and emailed frequently throughout the years, many times asking each other for advice about work, our kids, and life. We visited each other a few times when the opportunity allowed. The last conversation we had was when he told me the news of his condition, I guess about 4 years ago. I can still remember exactly where I was sitting at work. One of those moments that you just don’t forget. Tim, I have missed you so much already for the last few years, keep things together up there until we meet again. Rest in peace my janitor, you were one of the good ones and a huge loss to the world, your family, and friends. .
