Wednesday, March 17, 2021
I am sure many people who worked with or for John are saddened to hear of his passing. My husband Bill and I are certainly sad. We spent this evening reminiscing about “Boomer” which was John’s nickname. After working in Corporate Audit for many years, Bill went to work in the Bond Department headed up by John. He really admired John and they worked well together.
I was in a variety of Human Resources positions and interacted with John on some unique situations. He was always supportive, inquisitive, a great problem-solver, kind and fun. We respected each other. He was one of the best leaders in the company. Even after I left Corporate HR and went to another division, John and I stayed in touch. He was instrumental in orchestrating a major move for me to head up the re-engineering project in Personal Lines which in turn launched my consulting firm after leaving Aetna in 1991.
But Bill and I treasure a personal interaction even above the corporate interactions. Our only daughter, Kathryn, loved Christmas especially since she was a Christmas Eve baby. When she was three, one of my employees suggested that he would love to call her every Christmas Eve as Santa and talk to her about his loading his sleigh, her Santa list, in his deep voice. He would listen to her little questions and chat for a few minutes. Unfortunately that person moved away. But Kathryn still deeply believed in Santa and I did not want her disappointed. In a flash of clarity, I thought of “Boomer” and his big, deep voice and laughter. So I asked him if he would consider being Kat’s Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. He agreed.
After that first Christmas he called me and asked to meet for lunch. At lunch, I expressed my gratitude, but he hushed me by telling me it was a great Christmas gift to his entire family. That their Christmas was far sweeter, touching and meaningful after they all listened to that excited, thrilled little girl talking to Santa. We both got a little teary. He was Santa for several years. He brought all of us great joy. That little girl is now 35 years old, but she still remembers the Santa calls.
Being religious, we firmly believe John is now enjoying heaven. We hope someone reminds him of his gracious, kind gift of Santa Claus to our little girl. Blessings to his family. So glad you shared those Christmas calls.
