IN THEIR OWN WORDS – Dave Mauer
When I asked some of John’s friends to share their thoughts on his death, I never expected so many would write back to me. I wanted to know how they felt and to share their thoughts in order to bring further awareness, but committing these words to paper is a healing exercise and not as easy as it might seem. Each knew that I would be sharing their thoughts publicly. I applaud them all as I wrap up today and tomorrow with two final “In their own words” posts.
I don’t dare say I saved the best two for last, but these final two men played very important roles in John’s life. Today’s thoughts are from Dave Mauer. John would have called him “salt of the earth.” Dave recognized John’s in-depth knowledge of the flooring industry and its products and convinced him in 1993 to apply for a sales position with Shaw Industries. He gave John the confidence he needed, made him laugh and loved him like a brother. Dave would have gladly called him an adopted member of his family.
I thought they were robo calls. There were several unfamiliar phone calls to my cell on February 27th. I ignored them. I was traveling in the Springfield, MA, area and headed home on the afternoon of February 28th. I was below Hartford, CT, on Rt 84 when that same number from the day before came up again. This time I answered the call in an "annoyed" tone. “HELLO” I said. “Dave....Dave Mauer?” the person on the other line said. “Who's this?” I replied. “It's Charlie Kelly........John McGeary's brother-in-law.” I know Charlie and I said "hey Charlie" (in a cautious tone). Charlie said "John's dead" .....then I believe he said that John killed himself. I blanked out. "Charlie....come on... is this a joke?" I really thought it was a prank, a horrible prank. Charlie's voice was cracking/crying. I told him where I was and asked if I could stop by the house on my way home. “Of course, we want you to stop,” Charlie said.
I was still three hours away. My mind going crazy in disbelief. I waited ten....fifteen minutes....I called John's cell. Annie answered and crying together, I said I'm on my way........
I met John through my brother Paul who was the caddy master at Waynesborough Country Club and John was "looping" on the weekends there. I did carpet side jobs and Paul said John installed. We connected shortly afterwards. John and I knew each other for 30 years! We worked at Shaw Industries, he worked for me for two years at Shaw and we did "side jobs" together.
John was incredibly talented as an installer. Nothing was too difficult, he figured things out and he/we never cut corners. He was very confident and a "take charge or I can do that" kind of guy. 30 years of installing floors for friends. "Tires and tuition" was my moto. "A hundred bucks is a hundred bucks" was his. In some cases, we had mutual (Delco) connections and over time my friends became his friends. Some have said we were like an "old married couple!" There was an understanding when we got on a job.......he did his work and I did mine......nothing had to be said. We were of the same ilk.....a strong Catholic upbringing, Catholic schools (him O'Hara and me Arch. Carroll), big families, strong work ethic, sports, Havertown, our parents (even though they did not know each other) went to West Catholic and many more similarities.
30 years! How many hours did we spend together? How many conversations? How many jokes, stories, questions, busting each other's "balls". How many times did I hear him say, "you use that Fisher Price tape measure again?” How many times was he greeted by my dogs as he came down my driveway on a Saturday morning? How many times did we call each other when we were on the road just to bullshit and pass the time on the highway?
The two previous weekends before his death we were together doing jobs. He was on his game! Nothing different. Same old John. I can't stop thinking about those last couple of times together. Did he say something? Did I miss something?
God I miss him!
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