For my little cousin Jess...

                                                                            Handprints on the wall

Handprints on the wall, how very small-colored in yellow, red and blue, with hearts so true.

sweet innocence, building forts of blankets- dreaming of a day they would port- righting the wrongs- hero cape-flickering in the sun’s court.

Handprints like gold spread on a wall– memories of old—playing in the sand—dreaming of Ninja Turtle land.

With quiet strength mistaken as weak–they learned to shadow what was inside–” don’t be gentle–big boys don’t cry”–even when we must say goodbye.

Ninja Turtle boy you are sweet and kind–with a need to fix the world–not unlike your Ninja Turtle mind.

Maybe it was too much to bear–the need to fix the world and care.

You loved your family and playing in the sun–the earth was your playground, and oh so fun–You stepped up to the mound–baseball was your aim–until you saw your baby's eyes making your heart flame.

Our days here are numbered even when we carry the ball, sometimes we fumble-it's a hard call.

The rumble of life can be hard to bear–the moments we share, carries us all.

Family is love–love is the gift–the ball that is caught in life's baseball mitt.

You will always be a Ninja Turtle boy to me–oh how I wish for those handprints to see.

innocence remembered–hopes light shining bright–gently in the night–no sadness in sight.

Life is so fleeting–even when you are bleeding–love is the gold that mends the broken fold–reflecting light and beauty to behold–sending us to God's everlasting might–angels shielding us from fright.

The heart gets tired, or so I've been told, yet love transpired is what takes hold.

There is no more pain, only warm beautiful light-dancing and swirling in the night.

waiting to lend a hand-standing at the gate—It is all our fate.

Handprints are gold, spread on the fold–holding on to the love that you hold.

Ninja Turtle boy–heart of gold–I will always remember and behold.

My little cousin you are free, no more pain to see–God's love and angels wings wrapping your heart as they sing.

your time may have seemed short, but the love you gave will live on–love given is never forlorn.

Tell me, little cousin, did you find your Ninja Turtle land, filled with heroes in the sand, dancing hand in hand? I suppose you will tell me once I get to that land-until then know you are loved, more than all the numbers in the sand… - (cousin) Sherry Lima

Jess has to be one of the most overall nicest people I have ever met. Even my husband, who met him and Brittany at an election event, and Jess a couple times later at CTA, would bring up what a nice guy he was.

The Friday before Jess' passing, I rode in the elevator with him. Elevator conversations can be rather short, but I had asked him how Reina was doing. His whole face lit up, and he said she was doing well, getting ready for school, and really happy. I will always remember how his face lit up when you asked about Reina or mentioned his family.

If I shared something that was going on  in my life with Jess, he always had a supportive or kind word. I can't imagine Jess ever having a bad day. I will miss the banter, the saying a quick hello as I passed his cubicle, and most of all his smile.

My family and I would like to express our deepest condolences for your loss.

Like Jess, my friend and former colleague Justo Robles was a Giants fanatic. I used to sit in that chair at Jess’s cubicle and read  to him from Justo’s texts and prognostications about the lineups and, of course, Buster Posey.  Jess enjoyed those texts and I enjoyed those chocolates he had on his table from time to time.  When the Dodgers beat out the Giants and won the pennant, Jess laughed out loud when I joked even a blind squirrel gets a nut sometimes.  Up to that moment, I don’t think Jess knew I could be so salty.   He smiled and promised, “We’ll get them next time .”   When it came to his Giants,  Jess was ever the optimist  

Jess was a wonderful colleague.  He was diligent, patient, and ambitious.  In working with him for one of my largest assignments, he shared my frustrations and triumphs with equanimity.   No matter what we were dealing with, Jess always flashed that devilish smile.   I will always carry his promise in my heart, “We will get them next time.”

• From Carl Dennis, class of 74 and Sue Smidderks Dennis class of 76, we send our heartfelt condolecences  to the family