My Brother, My Friend

Dear Jimmy,

You are loved. I cannot begin to tell you how many lives you’ve touched; it is unbelievable. Our house has been filled with so many caring and good people, your family and friends, people who love you as much as Mom, Dad, and I do, Your kindergarten teacher and high school basketball coach even stopped by. You are so loved. It is because you are such an amazing person. I can’t stand to talk about you or to even can't write this to you in the past tense. You are not gone; you will live forever in our hearts.

There are so many reasons that everyone loves you that it's hard to know where to begin. Your smile, your laugh, your love of life, your enthusiasm --- they are all contagious. When you walk into a room, it lights up. Your gentleness, your kindness, your goodness you have made us all better people.

When you were only 7 years old. Father Hanley blessed you before your surgery. You sat on his lap for your first penance, and he held you high upon his shoulders the day or your First Communion, Father Hanley had the whole congregation clap for you after your first time serving as an altar boy, Even though it made you nervous, you were a very proud and devoted altar boy.

You've always had the best sense of humor, and you always entertain me. You make us laugh; you bring us so much happiness. From your earliest years. you were a character and had the best imagination.

Remember as a kid how you always liked to dress up? Whether it was a fireman, a cowboy, a pilot or the lone ranger, you were entertaining. You would go to Shop Rite holding Mommy's hand dressed in one of your costumes. You even wore your sunglasses upside down back then and didn't care. You were an individual and l admired that.

And you grew into a 6 tall great looking man with style. I swear you just kept getting better looking. We'd go into bars in the city and girls would be coming up to you left and right and you'd just laugh and l'd be dying thinking. "That's my little brother --- hands off" And then you met Kelly, and no other girls would ever matter again.

How about your first driving lesson? I was 17. You were 14. And I let you drive the car to Kevin's. Who would've thought we'd get caught. but we did. Yes, we laugh about it now but back then we were in deep trouble. I remember after Mom and Dad read us the riot act and our punishments were handed down, the only sentence that came out of your mouth was, “WHO TOLD!?” And lo and behold two years ago we finally found out. We learned our lesson, but we still had fun that day back in 1989.

After college when you got your job, on you own, at Cantor-Fitzgerald you were excited and we were excited for you. You went to work each day at the WTC with such pride, but we were more proud of you and the person you'd become. You have the terrific ability to never quit, to give each thing you do 110%; your drive, ambition, and intensity aiming for and reaching your goals are unmatched. You are the planner to organizing trips to Jets games and vacations with your friends. You are determined. Mom calls me the "strong-willed" child usually when I'm being a little bit difficult but you are just as strong and l mean that in the best way.

You are a true New Yorker. 1don't think I know anyone who loves the city and living there as much as you. Even on our trips to Italy and Ireland, I could grasp your longing for the Daily News, Central Park. a NY bagel, a slice of pizza, and MSG because who is a more devoted NY sports fan than you... the Jets, the Knicks, and the Yankees: all your teams. Remember our first Yankee game and how we both brought our gloves hoping to catch a foul ball? You even named your teddy bear Bucky after Bucky Dent. How about when Glenn got you the World Series ticket? I remember when you got home and us you told us when you were there you were so psyched you were shaking: it was one of the greatest moments of your life. And who loves their Jets season tickets more than you? You even had your room painted green when you were little.

You are such a great listener too. I love our runs in Central Park (even though we are total competitors when the finish line is in sight because neither of us can stand to lose). But anyway, I love our runs in Central Park because it is our time to talk and can talk to l you about anything. You are such a good, good, kind, sensitive and gentle person Always. remember walking into this very church 12 years ago when Grandma died. felt so down and alone and then you reached over and held my hand. You are always there for me, for Mom and Dad, for everyone. You are so dependable and would do absolutely anything to help. You care so much about us and take such an interest in us and take care of us. How we love you and always will.

How about when we were very young, about 6 and 3 and we were down at Grandma on 242 Street. We had left her apartment and were heading towards the car. You hopped into the backseat and I was still on the sidewalk. Grandma was leaning out her window with money for us. I was saying “No Gramm it’s ok. We don't need it.” And from the car your little voice was yelling as loud as it could. “TAKE IT! EILEEN, TAKE IT!!!"

You were always a piece or work. Remember when we’d get envelopes with the same amount of money from Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas. We'd open them. You'd lean over to me and say. "How much did you get?" l'd say, "Fifty. You'd have that smirk on your face and say, "Really? Wow. That's a shame. I got seventy-five. guess just like me more”. You did this right up until last Christmas. Then, at age 25. still the jokester.

When we'd leave for school in the mornings, Mom would always yell to us “Bye have a good day, Love you.”  And I'd yell back “You too. Love you.” And in response to Mommy's "Love you." you'd yell back, "Yeah. bye Mom, Love me.”

I think you have more friends than anyone I know, and the best friends. They have been I know, to our house non-stop and it is a tribute to you and who you are. Some of them are you friends since you were five years old and some are newer buddies from Oswego, some are guys you tailgate with at Jets games and others you've met along the way. They all love you. They are like your brothers, especially roommate Jared. The other night l your read through some of the things your friends for life wrote in your high school yearbook and the same things kept coming up about what a true, amazing friend you are. how you are always there for everyone. listening, providing answers and taking care of all of your friends.

You have a gift for bringing people together. You include everyone. You make newcomers feel welcome by finding connections and common interests between them and your friends and family. In social settings you ensure that everyone's having fun, and e did just that with Kelly and Al and Jared and more of our friends on Fire Island over Labor Day Weekend. I can still hear your laugh and see your smile. You were the life of the party, and from the minute you met us at the ferry I was so happy just to be with you, It was another great night.

Last Christmas you had framed awesome photos of us in Ireland and got our whole family gift certificates for a restaurant in Manhattan. You were so thoughtful. generous, and considerate. We are family by birth, but we are all friends by choice. We like each other and we love being together.

You love life, If you were in our shoes right now, first of all you'd be calling us all LOSERS for crying so much and you'd tell us to live life to the fullest because that's what you did. Jimmy. you will be missed forever and we will never ever stop loving you. We will see you again someday, I know that is true. And until that time may the Jets win a Superbowl just for you and more importantly may God hold you in the palm of his hand. You are more than my brother, you are my best friend. I love you. Or as you would say, "Love me. “