At ICSigns, We’re Blessed With a Great Team
The Team Misses Brian!
No, this is NOT a eulogy! Brian is alive and well!
Brian came to work for us as a temporary helper when my first daughter was born and I was getting little sleep. I was trying to work then going to the hospital at night to visit the new family and then home for a couple of hours sleep before starting the cycle over again. In fact, I didn’t even hire Brian. Sean did. We were busy and another chap who was working here at the time suggested his buddy, Brian as a temporary measure to get us over the hump. So Sean said, “Give him a call”. Ken did and Brian arrived and just sort of stayed… for 15 years!
Brian still recalls with relish the day we met and how tired and haggard I looked. Brian is one of the most loyal, dedicated, willing workers any business could be blessed to have as an employee. At lunch-time, we used to sit around the table and play the dictionary game. Someone would open the dictionary and search for an unusual word then challenge the others to define it. The classic moment was when Sean found the word “Cassowary”. None of us had even heard of it but Brian immediately said, “Oh, that’s a flightless bird from Australia.” Just like he’d read it in the dictionary 5 minutes before!
That sort of describes the font of knowledge Brian is. His interests range far and wide from classic European cars (he’s owned his share of clunkers) to aircraft (civilian and military) to ships and boats, music of all genres, historical figures, wars, natural history, literature, theatre arts, the lot. He certainly is a well-rounded, all-round great guy who can keep you entertained with his vast knowledge of any subject you wish to raise. I think he could have given Ken Jennings a run for his money on “Jeopardy!”.
Well, Brian decided at age 65 and with some health issues to work on, it was time to put down the squeegee and the Exacto knife, hang up the apron and relax. The team at ICSigns misses him. We miss his steady work pace that always gets the job done, his dedication to doing the job right, his wry wit and vast knowledge.
It’s not easy when a team that has worked together for so long loses a team member. Brian was here for 15 years, Peter has been here 10 years (he started as a summer student and just didn’t go back to school) and Terry for 8 years. Given the length of time we’ve spent together, it’s only natural that things go smoothly most of the time. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and can back each other up. I know that when I am away from the office, things are humming along smoothly under the guidance of Terry and Peter. We have a new person on our team (I can’t say we replaced Brian) who has lots of experience in the sign industry. Andrew has easily immersed himself in the ICS culture and seems to be enjoying the work and the environment. We enjoy having the experienced hands, that we can give him a job to do and know it will be done properly – the ICS way. We hope Andrew stays as long as Brian did.
Well done Brian! You have served us well for many years. You have stood by us through thick and thin, taken and given your share of teasing.
We wish Brian and Aida many years of happiness, health and enjoyment of the grandchildren.
Drew.
