Adios Amigo
I went back to my old work today to say "adios" to a co-worker/friend. Two weeks ago on Thursday he was hit head-on by a driver fleeing from cops near his home in Pinole. I recall reading the article before the name of the "innocent bystander" was released, and clearly remembering that I had an eerie feeling as I read through the short article.
That Saturday MathMajor told me that it was our Martin Padilla, "Dean of the Night" from our campus. He was called that because he was the main reason why our managers could leave the campus in the evening and on weekends while classes/events were still taking place.
It has hard for me to accept because of how sudden and tragic this event was, but mainly because Martin was a such a good guy. Everyone on our campus, even myself could always find something bad to say about our day or our workplace and I had only worked there less than 6 years. But Martin who has been part of the Comet family for 20 years NEVER had a bad thing to say about anyone or anything. In fact he would always find something good to say to you, mostly in passing because he was always rushing off somewhere to start his shift or to help someone around campus. I would always see him as he was checking in for the day, picking up the evening's schedule and his walkie talkie. Almost every Monday as I would return from my weekend, I would have a voicemail from him alerting me that he received a phone call asking for information about the school. If he was able to he mailed the information out himself, or he would ask me to provide the follow-up. Rain or shine, he was there for anyone on campus --- faculty, staff or student. He was the true spirit of our campus.
A member of his family spoke about how he would adjust his personal life to his work schedule because even they knew how much the College meant to him. Unfortunately, only after his tragic death are we able to say how much we appreciated him. He truly was an angel sent to live among us. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to work with him and be in his presence even if for short moments.
Martin you will be missed!
That Saturday MathMajor told me that it was our Martin Padilla, "Dean of the Night" from our campus. He was called that because he was the main reason why our managers could leave the campus in the evening and on weekends while classes/events were still taking place.
It has hard for me to accept because of how sudden and tragic this event was, but mainly because Martin was a such a good guy. Everyone on our campus, even myself could always find something bad to say about our day or our workplace and I had only worked there less than 6 years. But Martin who has been part of the Comet family for 20 years NEVER had a bad thing to say about anyone or anything. In fact he would always find something good to say to you, mostly in passing because he was always rushing off somewhere to start his shift or to help someone around campus. I would always see him as he was checking in for the day, picking up the evening's schedule and his walkie talkie. Almost every Monday as I would return from my weekend, I would have a voicemail from him alerting me that he received a phone call asking for information about the school. If he was able to he mailed the information out himself, or he would ask me to provide the follow-up. Rain or shine, he was there for anyone on campus --- faculty, staff or student. He was the true spirit of our campus.
A member of his family spoke about how he would adjust his personal life to his work schedule because even they knew how much the College meant to him. Unfortunately, only after his tragic death are we able to say how much we appreciated him. He truly was an angel sent to live among us. I was blessed to have had the opportunity to work with him and be in his presence even if for short moments.
Martin you will be missed!
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