Hi followers, clients, friends, and anyone this is being signal-boosted to. One of our team members, José, was senselessly murdered last night (3/12/22) over a simple traffic accident.

 

I met José about this time last year after we had that big snowstorm in February. I was sweating in the cold chipping and digging my truck out of a frozen snowbank, and like a Good Samaritan José drove past and offered to help me dig out. I saw the tools in his truck and the paint on his jeans and asked him what kind of work he did. He told me he was in the same business as I was, so I gave him my card and told him to call me if he ever needed work. 

 

He called me a few weeks later, and he’d been an incredibly valuable member of our team ever since. He was one of the most hard-working, reliable, and kind-hearted guy I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. This is a devastating loss for our team.

 

I did not know his family, but I am working on contacting his parents and ex-wife to help them with funeral expenses and a trust for his 10-year-old son for a college fund.

 

I intend to send his family $15k for funeral expenses, as I understand this is around the going rate for cremation/burial/memorial services in NYC. These funds will not be distributed until I personally verify that the recipients will be using them for funeral expenses, or I will pay these expenses myself. The $30k remaining I intend to put in a trust fund for his son, Jair Reyes, to be accessible for college expenses and tuition when he turns 18. These funds will be managed to ensure that they go to these costs. Not everyone who sees this will know me personally, but those of you who do know me know that I am a man who keeps my word. 

 

José was a good-hearted, honest, hard-working guy and we are incredibly saddened by this loss. Anything anyone can contribute will be appreciated more than you can imagine. If anyone can find it in their hearts to help out a total stranger you will be carrying on José’s legacy and your contributions will not be forgotten. 

 

Thank all of you so much, from my whole heart. 

 

Requiescat in Pace José. I miss you already, man.