GOod morning all. I got back to my hotel room.. Sat down to blog.. and the next thng I knew it was 3AM 🙂 . i’d fallen asleep.. so here’s a bit tardy recount of a great event I attended last night. My very good freind Pat Toole is Retiring from IM after 34 years of really amazing service.. His boss.. allof our bosses really, John K through a really nice dinner for him at the Kittle House in Chapequa NY. Pat and his family got to invite abotu 30 peope and I was very honored ot be one of them
it was such a great event.. and all for one reason. Pat is one of the nicest, kindest and smartest guys I.. or anyone there last night .. know. He’s had so many roles through his long career. He ran our engineering services, he was our CIO, He was the integraton manager for our aquisition of hte weather company.. and .. about 6 other jobs that I didn;’t even know about.
The attendees were a really nice mix of folks from all across Pats career. I got to talk to so many old freids.. lots of cacthing up on family, life,.. and a little work…
not mouch work though
After the great dinner, folks got up and made a few speeches about Pat.. Always the same story.. ‘WHat a great guy”.. and everyone so meant it.
pAts beautiful family was there.. 3 of his kids.. not I think 4 of his kids are in IBM.. (Pats dad was also a very senior manager in IBM.. in fact my friend and former admin Martha worked for him)
John K lead of the speeches.. from the Sr. Execs.
the first of several standing ovations for Pat.
David K..
Martin J..
Then Pat spoke.. about his love for the company, his love for his family.. and his faith.. whihc is a big part of his life..
Pat got choked up in the middle of his speech.. and so did most of us in the room
he’s such a great guy.. one of my favorite mentors I’ve ever had.. I could tell by talking to all the other folks
that everyone had that same deep love of the guy.. it really felt great to feel !
pat spent a good part of his comments thnaking his wife and kids.. and dad..
yet another standing ovation
THe final presentation was a plague naming Pat one of our latest Distinguished Engineers.. THat was a great way of honoring this very smart man !
We all left feeling so good..
I know Pat did as well
nite all, nite sam
-me