Death of a co-worker. Does it still bother you?

Had a coworker of mine pass away a few months ago from lung cancer. He was a 'good old boy'. 70 something year old Vietnam vet that was full of war stories and always willing to talk about them to anyone willing to listen.

When he passed, my employer went above and beyond. They turned his truck into a sitting memorial for 2 weeks.



This isn't something you see in the industry anymore.

 

Lost a few marines and sailors in my years in the Navy. I was pretty close with some of them. Inner reflection in a time of loss is normal and expected................you don't lose your man card. The best way to carry on, is to do your job to the best of your ability. Trucking works the same way. (check yourself every day, check your truck every day, stay within your limitations, don't let outside influences affect your safe operation, communicate whats going on to your dispatcher/company)

 

"Fair winds and following seas"..........to him Flybynight041.

 

I knew a 1st class in the Navy; wife left him and their 3 children. Fortunately he had barely enough time in to retire. He retired and he and his 3 children got in the pickup truck with the camper shell on the back. Left Florida and he and the 3 children killed in Georgia in a wreck just a few hours later.

Another guy got out after his first enlistment and decided to save money by hitch hiking home instead of spending money on air fare. Was standing by the highway hitch hiking just outside the main gate to the base and was hit by a car and killed.

 

I had two pass on about 4 months apart. One was a massive heart attack during Christmas shutdown. She lived by herself. The other one didn't use jack stands while working on his car. Takes a while to realize that they really are gone. I have seen a few while on the road, very sobering. It happens and there isn't much to do about it.

 

Had a coworker die from a Motorcycle wreck in 2014, Older fella almost retired, All around good man to his family and coworkers, He really loved his wife and daughters. Few times a week. When he worked the Terminal, His Wife ( retired ) or his daughters vacation from university brought him a fresh hot lunch ( heard of the wife brought him lunch on the road also ) A few hundred people at the funeral home. This man really loved everyone. One of a kind person, Glad to know him and had patience with us noobs at the time and could ask him anything.

He set the rhythm for the day, Mellow guy, Smooth talker. When crap hit the fan, He knew exactly what to do and bailed many of us out of a jam. We dropped whatever we was doing and helped him on routes. ( it had to important if he asked dispatch to gather help )

Us guys low on the totem pole appreciated/respected him. Won't be replaced in my lifetime.