From Avi (2006-7)

I periodically think about this e-mail, about Jim, and just as quickly suppress the thought. I really don't have or know anything specific to say. There are so many people in life who pride themselves on their stories and adventures and all the exciting things they do. But that wasn't Jim. He is not a man who stands out in my memory because he did so much, but because he did so little. Do not take this the wrong way. Jim clearly did many important things in his life. But he did them in a such a mild, self-effacing way that really made him the special man that he was. He was surrounded, at the Sauve program, by some very wonderful and very ambitious people. If we had questions about those ambitions there was usually someone around McGill or through other contacts that we sought out. But Jim did something much more important - he was supportive at the same time that he slowed down our ambition, reminded us that humility was a critical value in whatever we were to pursue. He was, in this way, the quintessential leader of that old adage. "To lead the people, stand behind them." Jim was always there leading us with his support, and with his reminder of how wonderful the world could be when we all put our egos aside for just a moment.