RIP Brother Terry.
Terry was fair, balanced, polite, wise & intelligent. He had it all!
Some background he shared with me:
Work
Electrical Engineer (Avionics Integration, and Aircraft Electrical Systems).
A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) Mechanic/IA.
Left the corporate plantation 15yrs ago. Could no longer gag down working for dumbasses that didn't have a clue about the resources they were tasked to manage.
I pay my own taxes, healthcare, fund my own retirement. My economic failure or success is all on me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Just wished I'd done it sooner.
I've always loved the work, just hated working with and for dumbasss. On rare occasion I still do.......but it's my choice, and no one elses. I keep the difficult clients away with high labor rates. As if you're a real pain in the ass you pay double my regular rate.
I enjoy my work and will continue to work as long as I'm able to do it on my terms. I'll never be an employee again. And if I ever have to, I'll just retire.
Additional shared with me at another time:
Worked at NSA Capodichino as a military contractor there in late 1980's.
Family
My oldest sis died in 2000. They were all heavy drinkers. I'm sure genetics had an influence. Alcohol and generally poor diet finished them off. Liver disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes. The list goes on. I'm certain years and years of heavy drinking didn't help and probably helped cause and aggravate some of it.
Another reason I gave up alcohol several years ago (although I wouldn't blame you thinking I'm gassed at the moment slobbering out all this personal crap 
). I think about them now with lots of good memories. They live in my mind, so they're not totally gone. But I really miss them all most, and my daughter around Christmas. Daughter was murdered out clubbling in 1992. There's nothing like losing a child. It's hard to talk about. Sorry about all that....mind drifts off a little on this stuff around the holidays.
Terry had great empathy and was very-sensitive to what others were feeling.
I won't share them 'cause they're embarrassing but boy did he blow some smoke up my ass. Many of the greatest compliments I've ever received came from Terry. He seemed impressed by the way I handle people. Poor delusional man.
Point being that this is typical of someone who's a giver, someone predisposed to lifting others.
Terry turned 65 on October 22nd last year.
Our hearts go out to his next of kin. Losing such a great man would no doubt have been devastating.
I love you Terry, you big, bad... cuddly bastard.
