Toastin' Teddy

Every now and then, someone comes along and makes a difference.  They give love, laughter and lessons in life without you even realizing it.  Teddy was a giver.  He loved life.  He gave to others as easily as we blink our eyes.  He was full of love and laughter.   Over the years, Teddy and I became really great friends... he was supposed to be a work colleague, but somewhere along the way we actually became friends and he became part of my family.  

In the hospitality industry, we all travel a lot.   The wonderful thing is when you travel a lot and are around the same people a lot, you get to know them.  You become friends and they become part of your life.  When I decided to leave my former company so many years ago, Teddy was one of the first people to call me and say, whatever you need... I'll be there.  He was true to his word.  I started my own company and from the first day.... he was supportive, full of ideas and never looked back.  

When I decided to launch my own conference, Teddy jumped in with both feet and asked, "What can I do?  What do you need?".  He was there from the beginning and never missed a beat.  He was the Chairman of my Advisory Board and he was involved and invested in every project that we worked on together.  Teddy was a light that shined brightly.   A beacon of light that touched so many different people.   

My heart has a huge hole in it.   I talked to Teddy a lot.   We talked work, we talked family, we talked sports, we talked wine, we talked ideas.... Basically, we talked about anything.  One of his favorite topics was his beautiful daughter, Ella.   He loved her so much.   He was so proud and it was so obvious how much he adored her.  I felt so honored that Teddy shared his family stories with me. Most of us in the industry, are somewhat private when it comes to our personal lives.   We keep that close to heart, so you know that you are really good friends, when you are comfortable enough and close enough friends to share your family.   Teddy would start telling a story that involved Ella or his wife, Gabriella and just light up.  It was a special bond he had with his family and it always touched me to see such a different side of him from the one the industry knew.  Teddy loved his family.  He loved his friends.  He loved life.  He lived it.  He's one of those people who lived it every day... and based on all of the posts, tributes and toasts I have seen over the past several days.... he has every friend that he ever made... still on his side.  

Teddy was a kind, generous soul who gave willingly and smiled and laughed.  Teddy stressed but he was one of those that as he stressed he talked to himself and if you were stressed, he talked to you.   I am so lucky to have known him.  I am so lucky that we became such great friends and that he was such a huge part of my circle.   

We will honor his legacy and we will forever hold the memories in our hearts.   The number 11 will constantly remind us that he felt a strong connection to that number and now, we all cling to it as well.  

Teddy, thank you for being my friend.  Thank you for sharing your laughs and love with the entire industry.   Thank you for having a heart of gold and so big that it enveloped anyone that ever crossed your path.   Thank you for your support and for always being there to listen.   I will miss our state of the industry calls ... Where we solved the world's problems...and came up with crazy ideas that we knew somehow would always work.  Thank you for the Buttercup song which will forever be one of my fondest memories.  I will always raise my glass to toast you... And I will never replace the Chairman's seat.   Toastin' Teddy -- Today, Tomorrow and Always.  We love you, my friend.   You will forever be in our hearts and you will truly be missed.   #toastinteddy #chairmanoftheboard #hee #pineapplegroup #teddymac #teddymcaleer