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accountJames J. Reo "Jim", passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 8th 2019 at 8:48am ending a year long hard fought battle with small cell lung cancer.
He had not retired from working full time nor did he waiver in his priority to provide for his family. He drove himself to and from chemo and radiation treatment only to return home to his office for afternoon conference calls. He was methodical and thrived on the dynamic of his work and the business relationships with which he had formed and reinforced a positive impact throughout his career. He was strongly bonded to the shipping industry and the safety of those around him was a top priority. He was the only man who could yell at you without being a jerk. His office often echoed with conference calls and colleagues seeking advise. He was a pillar of integrity and leadership amidst his peers: a teacher, mentor and trusted friend to anyone he worked with. His reputation within the business was proceeded only by his kindness and candor when working with others.
On January 5th Jim entered the hospital not feeling quite right but fighting and telling his family "it will be alright"...knowing Jim you believed him. On January 7th, his youngest son AJ turned seventeen.
We had all been gathered in the hospital taking shifts of support bedside and surrounding him with our love and gratitude. The hospital lobby featured a piano where AJ would celebrate his 17th birthday and arrange a piece of music to honor his father. Those who attended the funeral mass heard the same piece of music played during the communion mediation.
Many of you close to the family know AJ personally, have seen or liked a post on social media and enjoyed the stories detailing his impassioned pursuit of music and acting. Jim loved to brag about all of his children but AJ was a "miracle" born just after his then youngest was a senior in high school. A running joke of the family was that a Christmas gift of "couples yoga" that "birthed" him a year later. He has played piano since he was five and began acting in community theater at the age of 7. AJ embodies a rare exchange of character, the heart felt pride and affirmative joy of a man we all loved and respected.
He is currently a junior attending the Governors school for the Performing Arts in Norfolk, Va. He was accepted as one of 9 students chosen from hundred's of applicants. Jim was beaming with pride and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of rehearsals and late night pickups. He was AJ's #1 cheerleader. AJ spent the fall semester preparing for an ensemble casting in a "GSA" school production and performed in four shows immediately following his father's passing. He is committed to the craft, rigorous study and the application of his chosen discipline. He will begin college pre-screens, live auditions and applications in the summer of 2019.
This scholarship legacy fund will help to supplement the cost of his secondary education and will be held in a 529 account until AJ is ready for college in 2020 . The legacy of James J. Reo resides in the professional pursuit of his youngest son AJ. May this fund help him to access his passion without limit or reservation. We thank each and everyone of you in advance for contributing and ensuring his educational needs are met in memory of Jim. His wife Missy (Vera) and 4 older children (Beth,Jimmy,Joey,Ryan) and youngest AJ are forever thankful for your friendship and support at this very difficult time.
He had not retired from working full time nor did he waiver in his priority to provide for his family. He drove himself to and from chemo and radiation treatment only to return home to his office for afternoon conference calls. He was methodical and thrived on the dynamic of his work and the business relationships with which he had formed and reinforced a positive impact throughout his career. He was strongly bonded to the shipping industry and the safety of those around him was a top priority. He was the only man who could yell at you without being a jerk. His office often echoed with conference calls and colleagues seeking advise. He was a pillar of integrity and leadership amidst his peers: a teacher, mentor and trusted friend to anyone he worked with. His reputation within the business was proceeded only by his kindness and candor when working with others.
On January 5th Jim entered the hospital not feeling quite right but fighting and telling his family "it will be alright"...knowing Jim you believed him. On January 7th, his youngest son AJ turned seventeen.
We had all been gathered in the hospital taking shifts of support bedside and surrounding him with our love and gratitude. The hospital lobby featured a piano where AJ would celebrate his 17th birthday and arrange a piece of music to honor his father. Those who attended the funeral mass heard the same piece of music played during the communion mediation.
Many of you close to the family know AJ personally, have seen or liked a post on social media and enjoyed the stories detailing his impassioned pursuit of music and acting. Jim loved to brag about all of his children but AJ was a "miracle" born just after his then youngest was a senior in high school. A running joke of the family was that a Christmas gift of "couples yoga" that "birthed" him a year later. He has played piano since he was five and began acting in community theater at the age of 7. AJ embodies a rare exchange of character, the heart felt pride and affirmative joy of a man we all loved and respected.
He is currently a junior attending the Governors school for the Performing Arts in Norfolk, Va. He was accepted as one of 9 students chosen from hundred's of applicants. Jim was beaming with pride and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of rehearsals and late night pickups. He was AJ's #1 cheerleader. AJ spent the fall semester preparing for an ensemble casting in a "GSA" school production and performed in four shows immediately following his father's passing. He is committed to the craft, rigorous study and the application of his chosen discipline. He will begin college pre-screens, live auditions and applications in the summer of 2019.
This scholarship legacy fund will help to supplement the cost of his secondary education and will be held in a 529 account until AJ is ready for college in 2020 . The legacy of James J. Reo resides in the professional pursuit of his youngest son AJ. May this fund help him to access his passion without limit or reservation. We thank each and everyone of you in advance for contributing and ensuring his educational needs are met in memory of Jim. His wife Missy (Vera) and 4 older children (Beth,Jimmy,Joey,Ryan) and youngest AJ are forever thankful for your friendship and support at this very difficult time.