Some big shoes to fill (06/04/07)

Bob Quadrozzi has left behind some big shoes to fill.

And don't be surprised if it takes awhile to fill them.

Bob's untimely death last week - coming after a valiant battle against cancer that he appeared to be winning - leaves an enormous vacancy near the top of leadership in Jay County.

Coming to Jay County Development Corporation in 1992, Bob was a big guy. A big voice, a big personality, a big presence in the field of economic development, and a big pair of shoes to fill.

With an amazing store of energy, he was plugged into every community in the county, usually in a key role, providing leadership and direction at a critical time.

Along the way, he inevitably ruffled some feathers. That's what happens when you get things done, and Bob Quadrozzi got things done.

For those who worked closely with Bob - and probably no one worked more closely with him than Portland's Mayor Bruce Hosier - life after last week is going to take some getting used to.

For the Jay County community, it is, in many ways, the end of an era. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]