Memories of Jim Cove

Colleague recalls long hours, good times

I knew Jim quite well since we worked together as part of a team at Corroon & Black, now Willis. Jim was so knowledgeable about insurance and he serviced his clients and his team members with fairness. Jim and I used to have lunch quite often, back then I would never touch sushi, preferring to have my food cooked. Slowly Jim got me to try sushi and I was hooked! We would go out after work and Jim would have his Beefeater & Tonic and me my Scotch and we'd laugh over those silly things that happened in the office or with a client or an underwriter.

I was always amazed to hear why Jim came in at 10 or 11 a.m., he'd share how he was up to 2 or 3 a.m. painting or sheet rocking, and he'd stay until 2 or 3 a.m. to get his work done.

I remember one time he started a report at 5 p.m. and since I was in at 7 a.m. I was ready to go, and Jim, being Jim just said he'd handle it. I stayed and helped because he was my friend and it was our account. We'd find a bar at midnight have a nightcap. I miss Jim and have every day since 9/11! I dreamed of him just once back in 2002, he said I had to stop worrying about him and that he was fine. I still miss him very much!

John W. McGovern, Middletown, N.J.