I Will Miss You, Jimmy

James 'Jimmy' Cleary was an unforgettable presence in the lives of all who knew him. We met in Seattle in 2004, and what immediately struck me was his quintessential East Coast attitude. Jimmy was a laid-back, cool New Yorker, with a straight-up, no-nonsense way of being. His style was unmistakable – usually wearing cool sneakers and a jacket, he was also always ready to dance, share stories, and listen with genuine care.

His being a high school teacher often shone through. Jimmy was open to and accepting of all the world and people in it, valuing genuine connections over material wealth. Over our nearly 20 years of friendship, we often shared stories and laughs about life's many twists and rich ironies. Our monthly poker nights with friends were a staple of smack talking and reverie that we looked forward to for many years. Despite life's inevitable ups and downs, his smile never faded.

Music was part of Jimmy's essence. He loved rock, having grown up seeing legends at Madison Square Garden, and he constantly listened to and shared playlists. Jimmy was more than a friend; he was an incredibly special soul who will continue to live on through his son, Sam, the kids he inspired as a teacher, and all his friends and loved ones along the way.