Dear friends,
We are slowly but surely getting this communication tool together for all of us! Please pass on this site address www.jimhaggerty.wordpress.com to anyone who may need to know about what’s happening with Jim. I will do my best to keep this updated – I’m still just learning how!
Jim is still on the neurological floor of Mass General Hospital (12th floor of Ellison). It’s a good place for a guy with a bad disease and not so bad for the rest of us either. We are all as comfortable as possible and doing our best to take good care of Jim and ourselves.
As promised, Creutzfeldt-Jakob seems to be rapidly progressing, though mericfully not painful. Jim is sleeping a lot, but perks up just like himself when visitors arrive. His smile is as winning as ever, but often fleeting. The hardest part right now is that he startles easily. There is apparently a great deal of disorientation and confusion happening for him, and considering his vulnerable state, some fear is not suprising.
We gladly welcome visitors. There is really no good or bad time to come – the patterns of lucidly and wakefulness change everyday. If you do want to come, see the section labeled “About this site and visiting Jim” for details.
That’s all for now.
Betsy
March 30, 2008 at 9:01 pm |
Betsy,
We were at Ruth’s opening last night and we heard about your dad’s turn in health. We are simply sending you are biggest collective *hug* from Bolinas to you, to Jim, your mom and brother. I know you are doing what you do best — providing light, strength and positive energy to those around you, especially those you love. We too are sending our energy out to support you and your family. We love you Bets; we love you Jim — Brenna, Erik and the Bo Gang!
March 31, 2008 at 2:35 pm |
Nancy, Betsy and John -
Claudia Laupmanis has been keeping us appraised of Jim’s condition.
Lisa and I moved to the Republic of Panama 16 months ago and are out of the usual loop.
We know you are devestated by the suddeness and results of this unknown dibilitating disease. We want you to know how much we thought of Jim and you, his family. He was always the “life of the party” in Chicago, and we remember our many fun times together.
Our prayers are sent to you from Panama.
George and Lisa Love
March 31, 2008 at 4:49 pm |
Aunt Nancy, John, & Betsy,
Betsy – thank you for taking the time to create this website. Just a note from Lucy and me, and I know the whole Wheatley family joins us in this, to let you know that our thoughts, prayers, and all the positive energy we can muster are being sent your way. We love you all.
Kevin and Lucy
March 31, 2008 at 5:17 pm |
Bets -
Thanks so much for putting this up. For those of us who can’t be with you guys right now (but are thinking about you all the time!), this gives us a sense of how things are in Boston. I love hearing about Jim’s reactions to visitors and good food. Of course he’s still the generous, engaging and charismatic guy we all know and love.
Much love to all of you.
March 31, 2008 at 9:35 pm |
Nancy & Family,
Jim, what a guy!!! The best. I am so happy that I was able to talk to him on the phone about a month ago. I am so glad that Donna was able to make it out to Boston on Saturday to see all of you. I wish I could have joined her and all of you and given Jim a big kiss. He is one of my very favorite people in the world. He is one of the best people to work for and with. When I told my kids about Jim and this awful disease, they were both visibly shaken, as we all are. They didn’t know him well but remember him from when they were little and said what a great guy he is. They send their love to you, as do I. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Dana Savocchi
March 31, 2008 at 11:08 pm |
Dear Nancy, Betsy and John,
I am so glad you got this website up….having gone through something similar in my family I know how much it means getting all the notes and love…..and it means so much to us to hear about Jimbo.
I think of Jim at various times in our lives and I always smile….his mischievous, infectious grin, his total lack of inhibition, his wonderful, wonderful self. I remember my introduction to Jim at my daughter Kathy’s christening in 1963, Nancy and Jim softshoeing across a living room full of strangers doing one of the first Haggerty/Shmaggerty routines as Jim called it. I fell in love with him then. And I think of him recently at one of the my kids weddings, with a napkin tied on his head as a baboushka, joining the girls trying to catch the bouquet!!
Jim always was, always will be…larger than life.
Love, Ellen
P.S. I am flying in Saturday for a visit….and I need to know some details about Mass General….parking, etc, Is this the best place to ask those questions? I will also email Nancy.
You all are constantly in my thoughts and prayers….
love, Ellen
April 1, 2008 at 12:03 am |
Dear Betsy, Thank you for setting this up and telling us these hard things. You and your family have so much strength.
Please pass our love and best wishes to your parents. We have never forgotten the good times they created for us, nor the pleasure of their company.
Love,
Bill and Judy
April 1, 2008 at 1:12 am |
Der Ones,
That picture of Capn’ Jim is so perfect…noone else has ever had a more fabulous Irish American smile ….with the sense of humor and winning personality to go with it.
I am so grateful he is not in pain but heartbroken that he has –and you all have –to endure this..
May the angels stay ever close by his side and keep him from any suffering .
How blessed he is to have you as his family. I’m sure he feels wrapped in your love right now…. aa you are in his.
I plan to come to Boston soon after returning to the states in a week…I’ll check this blog (Thank you Betsy dear for creating it ).to see when would be best . T
Till then, I hold you all in my heart and send you all my love. Bonnie
April 1, 2008 at 2:53 pm |
This site is very helpful. Thank you for taking the time in what is obviously a taxing time. Jim is now and will always remain a larger-than-life friend. Just think, he intorduced me to my wife of 21 years, inspired me to change directions in my career while I was taking my first management seminar from him and mentored me, providing the insights and guidance that have helped me create a career in consulting. John and Betsy, he has always preferred to talk about the both of you more than himself and his love, caring and pride for you is obvious. Nancy, how lucky you have been to have a man who is a true partner. During these days Laura and I pray for Jim and for the three of you. Mel and Laura
April 1, 2008 at 3:43 pm |
Very sorry to hear the news – I wish I could reach out and hug Jim right now…he is an incredible man! Thanks for creating this website so we can stay in touch. You’re all in our prayers – John, Katie, and Maureen.
April 1, 2008 at 6:59 pm |
Dear Nancy, Betsy and John,
Beverly and I are so sorry to hear this news. I choose to remember him at 10PM, saying the beer is over there, I’m going to bed.
April 1, 2008 at 7:48 pm |
Nancy,
I have to apologize for my general lack of composure and thank you for your strength and understanding during my visit.
I am fortunate Jim has been my friend and mentor for 30 + years. His wit and wisdom has been a beacon in both my personal and professional life in good times and bad.
Although, I could retell hours of humorous antidotes, what I most appreciate about Jim is always being but a phone call away. His sign off is perhaps the best way to end “Bye for now”.
With all my thoughts and prayers.
Dennis
April 1, 2008 at 9:27 pm |
Nancy, Bets and John,
Sending you 3 my love and hugs. Having the great photo of Jim on the website has been great for my whole family-remembering when they all got to meet him early Dec. In Bend. We are so grateful for that time together. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Give our LOVE to Jim and continue the updates(when your heart allows) I am here for you if you need any lil thing.
Love and Blessings,
Michele
April 2, 2008 at 12:40 am |
To Jim’s Family:
I am deeply saddened by Jim’s unexpected illness, and for what you all are enduring. I’ve only had the pleasure of knowing Jim for 6 years, however that time seems so much longer. Jim hired me and was my boss for several years at Beacon Hospice. During the time we’ve worked together he has become a wonderful friend and mentor. We’ve traveled to and visited countless accounts over the years, and I’ve learned a tremendous amount from Jim – more than I can ever convey. Each time I’d stop by the office he always had time to chat and he’d have kind words to share. I miss these conversations, however have fond memories of each – most often they were discussions about my 2 boys and the local sports teams’ successes. He always had an interest in what I – (as well as others) – had interest in. That’s Jim 24/7 — others first. My thoughts are with you all.
Steve McLaughlin
April 2, 2008 at 11:45 am |
Nancy, My heart goes out to you! What a shock to get the news…I’m so grateful that you all set up this web page. I will be in to see you this Saturday. LOTS OF HUGS!
April 2, 2008 at 11:59 am |
1 April 2008
Dear Jim and Family:
When word of your illness reached me, of course we passed the news around among the old team. Few people probably know you taught a bunch of American Hospital Supply dietitians how to sell frozen food to hospitals in the 80’s. Now that I think about it, why would anyone put that on a resume? Anyway, those training sessions you led for Dietary Products were some of the best memories of our working lives, and for that matter some of our personal lives.
My favorite story is the rep telling the sister in the Catholic Hospital, “Sister, you’ve got to try some of this Kee Chee Loraine”, and you explaining later that it’s pronounced Quiche Loraine. He claimed he didn’t know how to pronounce in Irish!
I’d also like to remember the “Hogan” story with you, but I’m still on Baxter email, and they would probably fire me.
All kidding aside, (only for a minute), we hope you know our prayers are with you, and our thoughts are all positive and happy, just like the wonderful times we all spent with you.
Bill Fuller and all the (old) AHSC dietitians.
April 2, 2008 at 1:17 pm |
Nancy, Bets and John: Thank you for including Donna and me in the news. Our thoughts, love and prayers are right there with you, and our arms are around you. We are thinking about you and all the fun times we had together at Dartmouth, New York and Chicago and Chautauqua.
Jim was a wonderful mentor and taught me a great deal. He was such fun to have as a working partner.
Please give him ‘Spaulding’s best’ and know that we are with you.
God bless.
Clark and Donna
April 2, 2008 at 1:30 pm |
Jim,
Please know that you will be in our prayers. Time and Space does not separate us in spirit. You are a beloved friend and classmate. If we can be there for you or your family, we are at your call.
Anne and Carl HC’61
April 2, 2008 at 4:15 pm |
jim,
hey buddy- I miss seeing you. my prayers are with you. i remember, so many beverage discussions that you and i have had!!
God Bless, Rand
April 2, 2008 at 5:11 pm |
My name is Rob Feaster and I am a native of Chicago and a Holy Cross graduate, Class of 1995. My basketball coach, George Blaney, arranged for me to meet Jim in ‘91 for my first summer job. Jim took me under his wing at St. Aubin, Haggerty in Northbrook, IL and we quickly went from employer/employee to friends, and have been that way ever since. Throughout the years he followed and supported me and my family, as well as my basketball career (both collegiate and professional). Even though we didn’t talk often, when we did it was like we had just spoken the day before. This past February I went to Holy Cross for the first time in over 10 years for the annual alumni weekend. Jim and I hadn’t seen each other in equally as long, but despite his busy schedule he found time to get out to Worcester early Saturday morning to meet me. It was actually the first time he’d ever seen me play in person, and sadly may be the last. It has been a tremendous blessing to have Jim in my life and to have had the opportunity to see him just a short time ago. Jim is a great man, mentor, and friend. My family and I send our prayers to Jim, his family, and close friends.
April 3, 2008 at 2:32 am |
To Jim and his family,
Although I have only known Jim for 2 years through Beacon, he certainly found his way into my heart. Recently, Jim and I discovered we shared the same crazy sense of humor that allowed us to “let our hair down” even when it was in the midst of a sales meeting…!
One of the last times we had the opportunity to talk over the phone, I sent him a link to an email video (a humorous one of course) and we simultaneously had a hearty laugh! I hope somewhere in Jim’s current world, he can still laugh as he did with me that day!
My thoughts and prayers are with Jim and all of you.
Gayle Benson
April 3, 2008 at 4:49 pm |
Dear Haggertys,
I think you know by now how much our precious times together in MIA have come to mean to me. No surprise that the love emanating from these pages reflects the feelings you share and those you engender among all your friends. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Jim and the surprising twists in life’s journey. He is such a great man and so fortunate to have you with him for this part of the trip.
I have been dedicating my yoga practice to Jim and to all of you – one can only hope that you feel the support and love coming from so many friends just now.
Ron Rosenes (Toronto)
April 4, 2008 at 1:56 pm |
Aunt Nancy and kids,
Since I heard of uncle Jims illness I cant stop thinking of you! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love your niece and cousin Marybeth
April 4, 2008 at 9:36 pm |
Dear Aunt Nancy, John and Betsy,
Can’t tell you how sorry we are to hear about Uncle Jim. What a great guy! We always looked forward to your visits and some lively conversations with Uncle Jim! It was nice to talk to you last week, Bets. You are all in our thoughts and prayers! Take care.
Love,
Peggy Anne, Rich and the kids
April 5, 2008 at 11:47 pm |
Nancy, A computer klutz I, don’t know if this will reach you. The site is terrific
with informatiom. With Joe Mulligan’s near simultaneos decline, the Cross
men of ’61 say our vales, to two Giants who will be missed immensley.
Jimmy is among few in his unswerving kindnes to all. God Bless, Know well , “Life is changed ,NOT ended, Jack Verdon ’61
April 14, 2008 at 1:05 am |
Aunt Nancy, Betsy and John,
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys,from the time i was a little girl and my uncle brought me a bunny,in a shoe box on Easter,he has aways made me smile.His energy and his huge heart touched everyone around him.He has always been there for me,he is my hero.I love him dearly.I will talk to you soon.
Love,Meghan
April 17, 2008 at 11:54 am |
Nancy, Betsy and John,
My thoughts and prayers are with now, from the time I received the phone call from Cousin Tommie Peggy that Jim had been ill all I could say was why do things happen to good people like Jim I guess it’s something we have no control over only God above has. All I can say my cousin Jim is being greatly missed I will always remember as a great person along with his kindness to others and always ready to help others in need and caring person that he was. I will always keep in Cousin in my prayers and I will miss him dearly.
Love, Cousin Dottie and Family