Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Jesse was joy and Jesse was laughter. I first met Jesse when he joined our Parks Marina family back in 2018. He was one of the good ones. Jesse quickly became more than just a friend, he was family. Beyond that he was a source of unwavering support. The sudden and tragic loss of Jesse has left us all shocked and deeply saddened. His untimely departure has left a void that words can hardly fill. But I’m going to try…
In the face of this tragic loss, it is natural for us to grapple with grief, anger, and confusion. It is essential that we lean on one another for support and find solace in our shared memories of Jesse. As we mourn the loss of Jesse, know that “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18. In our pain and grief, let us find comfort in knowing that God is near to us, offering healing to our broken hearts. May we find strength in His presence and in the support of each other.
As we reflect on Jesse's life, let us remember him for his incredible skills in the kitchen and his ability to always make us feel loved. Whether it was him making sure we were fed or his ability to make us feel heard and understood, he had a unique way of brightening even the craziest of days. And trust me there were a lot of them. His laughter, kindhearted nature, and genuine compassion touched our lives in a way that will remain with us forever.
I remember when I would ask Jesse what the special was for the day he would always respond with, “me” and I would laugh and roll my eyes at him, and he would blush. Jesse and I shared a birthday. October 29th. Each year on our birthday he would kindly remind me that I would always be older than him and I would kindly remind him that age is just a number. At which he would say that age is actually a word. Insert eye roll and you get the picture. I will miss these conversations.
Jesse had to do a commercial promo for Snappers once and I remember he was so nervous. You see, he did NOT like to have his picture taken and he especially hated being recorded on film. In the interview Jesse was incredibly humble, in true Jesse fashion. He nailed it. I was so proud of him. Jesse was one of only a handful of chefs that could prepare a steak the way my husband orders it, “Just knock its horns off, and chunk it right here on this plate,” he would tell Jesse.
We will cherish these memories, knowing that Jesse has found eternal peace. May his soul rest in the loving arms of God, and may we honor his memory by continuing to love, support, and cherish one another.
May God's peace be with us all.
