In memorium - Manny Navarro
As of Saturday, October 1st, it will have been seven (7) years since our co-founder's death. Many of you had the opportunity to befriend Manny. For those that never met him, Manny was (as the apostle Paul said) "all things to all people"( 1 Cor 9:22). Manny befriended people of all sorts and had the same level of personal interest no matter who you were. From political officials to the dry wall installer, Manny found friendships in a number of ways & sincerely cherished them all. The relationship with our organization and Manny was no different.
In 1999, Manny was parked (in his Hummer H1 wagon) at a local gas station reading a copy of the Auto Trader when our other co-founder, Mark Price, pulled up next to his Hummer & introduced himself. After an hour or so of conversation, the friendship between the two grew and led to many years of adventures, stories, and the formation of the organization now known as the Illiana Hummer Club. The first 5 Hummer owners in the original club saw membership grow in 2002 due to the introduction of the Hummer H2. The IHC formally organized and led us to where we are today. Now, with over 100 members ranging from Long Grove, IL to Niles, MI, driving everything from H1's to H3's, our numerous community events and active members I'm sure would make Manny very happy. As a proud father of 4 children, he loved being able to share his Hummer adventures with his family (even though the Hummer was his wife's nemesis). Our focus on "bringing families and adventures together" was a goal that we focus on each and every event that we plan or attend.
Attached you will see a pic of our Muchacho next to his beloved Hummer. Take a second to review his obituary and take what you have to heart. Since 9/11, lots of poems have floated around reminding us to appreciate what we have and to tell those whom you love know how you feel because tomorrow is promised to no one. Manny brought the term "friendship" to a new level. He embraced life and touched the hearts of many that he had never even met. As today concludes, may we remember that we all lost a little bit of ourselves. No more late night Diet Coke's at White Castle, Taco's at Lupita's and El Amigo, 2-way Nextel chirp's saying he was on the Skyway and running a bit late, or Hummer stories from the "Badland's".
Every day we find ourselves missing either a father, husband, boss, confidant, or friend. Take what you have to heart and never for granted. Choose your friends wisely and then treat them as family. In all, we become what Proverbs 18:24 says: "...there exists a friend sticking closer than a brother."
We all miss our Muchacho Manny and may we take a moment to remember him this weekend.
