February 25, 2005

Victor Perry

Today is the first day that I have been able to write about Ray.  Ray and I were co-workers and his passing has had a profound effect on my life.

Ray had a quality that I feel most of us have hidden or ignored.  He had the purest, most heartfelt happiness for his family and his life and showed it every hour of every day.

I cannot remember a day over the years we worked together that he did not have a quick smile and a positive attitude.  His position managing a varied group of construction workers was difficult but Ray was able to diffuse any tense moments that occur in our profession with his personality.  I relied on Ray and trusted his judgment.

Ray affected me in the most profound way.  I was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his passing and I thought of him often during the difficult treatments.  I would recall his joy for life and the way  he lived that joy every day.  That is what I thought of the most, living every day with the same love of life and family that Ray had.  I will cherish him forever for giving me back what I thought I had lost.

Victor Perry