John and my dearly departed husband David Hawkins were close friends as adolescents and their families were close- David's mother being John's mother's bridesmaid. I only met John a few times but knew him pretty well from all David's fond stories of him. He referred to him as a "true intellectual" and quoted him often. One of my favorite anecdotes was about the time John first took over as ADM for Northern Development. Finding his office packed with files from his predessors he ordered his assistant to throw out half the files. "Which half?" asked the assistant. "Any half" replied John. Thank you for the opportunity of being able to participate by web cast and being able to learn about the full measure of the man. And the slide show was heartbreakingly beautiful. I wish all his family strength in coming to terms with his earthly departure.