He wrote a lot and wrote with passion, eclectic thought, and humor. Our quirks, he called out, but with empathy. When he got serious, it tended to be on a few topics, such people who didn't care enough to do their jobs well. His frequent targets were politicians, particularly Worcester folks, and the press, particularly the reporters and columnists at the Telegram. He didn't mind mistakes or honest disagreements. What bothered him most, and what turned out to be his biggest charge to us all, is when folks phoned it in. He wanted us to take serious work seriously. Perhaps the gravest sin in the Taxi Guy Catechism was not voting.
In one of those scenarios that gives us all hope, a series of unplanned changes in work led him to drive a taxi which led him to writing which led him to a measure of fame and a lot of respect. A few weeks ago, he received the key to the city. This evening, his death is on the home page of the Telegram.
Jeff would appreciate the twist that the story of his passing made the papers, but is behind the Telegram.com paywall.
So, g'bye, Jeff. We'll miss you, but we're not going to sit around long and be sad. You showed us how to take our work seriously while taking ourselves not seriously at all. It's now up to us to keep doing that work.
2 comments:
Wish someone would cut and paste the story (alongside the link of course) - I'm on the wrong side of the paywall. I hope Jeff is laughing!
Thanks for the screenprint. The behind-the-paywall aspect is, of course, priceless.
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