This picture of Jason and his wife Suzie was taken at my wedding reception at Wheaton College where we all met. We were part of a tight knit group of friends who ate meals together and laughed -- a lot! Jason and I took an Economics class together where the professor was so passionate about what he was teaching, he tripped over the trash can! I can almost hear Jason's distinctive laugh now.
Jason was a pretty passionate guy as well, in his mellow Mainer sort of way. He loved debating politics. He loved good-natured teasing. He and Suzie put up with me when we were hiking Mt. Katahdin and I gave up halfway up the mountain. They climbed the whole thing the next day. We were in the middle of nowhere and moose were everywhere. Jason felt right at home.
Jason was the kind of guy who made things: an ice skating rink in the back yard for his kids. A tree house. An in-ground pool. A pizza with pepperoni in the shape of a heart that he had delivered to Suzie while he was working his college job at The Loft.
Jason, my friend, I am deeply saddened not be able to say goodbye to you. You were truly a mensch. Suzie, Alivia & Hayden, Please know Emmy & I are sending prayers and love to across the miles. I hope these few memories give you some small comfort. He loved you very, very much.
Jason was my friend. He challenged everyone he met to be a better person. He was kind, driven, compassionate, funny and dedicated. He loved his family as they were the center of his universe. He was full of history, stories and endless trivia. He could tell a mean dad joke and was so humble about the amazing achievements of his children. Suzanne was the love of his life and he reminded everyone he could. Jason was so prod of Suzanne and her advancement at work. Jason loved to talk about cooking and working on cars with Hayden. He was so proud of Alivia's double major. I do not know how any of us will ever be the same without Jason but I do know that the 6.5 years I got to spend with him as a peer and friend made me a better human. Thank you for all of the great memories Jason, I would like to think you will never be that far away.
