I believe most people are good. Some are so much more than good. Jim O’Toole was one of those.
I heard about Jim many times before we met. He reached out in 2013 to organized a Shave for the Brave with his firefighter buddies at the Central Station. Even over the phone, Jim’s enthusiasm and caring nature hit our Shave coordinator, Beth, so much that she repeatedly shared every interaction she had with Jim.
It was tough and ironic that he would later join the YACC community which he had previously supported so strongly. He was such a positive, supportive, thoughtful member of the community, just as he was in the rest of his life. Ours is the best community you never wanted to join, and losing YACCers like Jim is the toughest part of our work, we are grateful we get for the time and connection we get with these incredible spirits.
Jim, your impact on your family, friends, fellow firefighters, YACCers, people literally around the world, will be felt for the rest of their lives. We were honoured to have your back and grateful you had ours.
Always…
Live life. Love life.
And Fuck cancer.
Geoff
