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“With Jim’s passing there will be a lot of reflection of memories past and with someone who meant so much to me I guess we would all like to just have five more minutes to let him know how we felt about him.
Jim Flett was a mentor to me and a person I truly respected. I do not know if there is a person I respected more than Jim, or anyone that I learned more from in matters of life, as well as business. Jim was the type of person, if you needed something, whether it be someone to talk to, or someone to show you the way – his door was always open.
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I respected Jim so much as a business man and as a person - I first met him when I was eight years old – tagging along with my older brother Frank. As a youngster I had the honor of working for him throughout my high school years. I saw how he treated others; I witnessed his integrity and strong work ethics. At the age of nineteen, Jim saw enough in me and believed in me to help me get started in business on my own.
As the years passed, he continued to teach me the business. He would show to me – how to conduct business when things were good, and how to get through it when things were tough – but always to maintain your honesty with the people you do business with. Jim only did things one way, the right way. Jim and John Arno teamed up to be two of the best earth movers in the business. Jim has truly set the standard for all of us to follow. But it was Jim as a person I truly admired the most. He was thoughtful and his integrity was of the highest caliber. Jim never strived to be better than anyone else – he just strived to the best. And he was.
But I think the one thing I will always remember is him saying, “You are as only as good as your name.” And I never forgot that – and I never will. I was always so proud to tell people I worked for Jim Flett and that my brother worked for him as well. I never forgot where I came from.
If I could only have five more minutes with him, I would tell him how much I thought of him, respected him, loved him and – and last but not least I would thank him for being my friend for all of these years and for always being there for me. I hope I was there for him as well.
To my friend, Jim Flett, Sr., Thank you. Where would I be today without you?”
Bill French, Sr. (Arlington, MA )
billsr@wlfrench.com
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