Be Like Jerry

While it may seem unusual to share personal narratives on LinkedIn, I am compelled to take this detour to honor the extraordinary influence of a beloved figure in my life. For the past 15 years, Xavier Bastian, affectionately known as Jerry, has been my beacon of guidance, my dearest mentor, and my role model.

Sadly, he left us all in the early hours of February 23rd. Xavier Bastian, or Jerry as he was affectionately called by family and friends, was more than just a father-in-law; he was "Appa" to my wife and me.

My first encounter with him was when he arrived to pick up my then-best friend after work at Technopark, who by the way later became my best friend for life and wife. Initially, his stern countenance and the tales of his strictness and short temper painted a formidable picture. Yet, with each subsequent meeting which involved homely food at his house, that serious facade melted away, revealing a man of profound kindness and generosity. He was a devoted father to his cherished daughter, a loving daddy's girl. The Jerry I heard about in stories mirrored the Jerry I came to know in real life. He was fiercely protective of his family, guarding them against any threat, be it external or internal within the family. He was a dedicated homebody, finding solace in day trading, tinkering around the house and immersing himself in ambitious repair and renovation projects.

Jerry's professional journey was as illustrious as it was inspiring. A Mechanical Engineer from CET (College of Engineering), he lent his expertise to significant projects at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) before venturing to Saudi Arabia to oversee infrastructure projects as a contractor for ARAMCO. Unfortunately, a work-related accident cut short his tenure abroad, leading him back to India to recuperate.

Undeterred by adversity, Jerry embarked on a new chapter as a self-taught architect. Despite the prohibitive cost of AutoCAD training, he borrowed books from the library and mastered the software and the domain in general through sheer determination, undertaking consulting gigs and crafting magnificent designs. I guess he made “Work from home” a reality in the 90s before it was even an idea for corporates. His most cherished project was the the Bastian family home in Trivandrum, a testament to his vision for his family's future.

Jerry's meticulous nature extended to every aspect of his life, from his innovative energy-saving initiatives in the house to his dual-appliance collection, each item meticulously repaired and maintained by him as a testament to his engineering acumen. Two of every appliance in the house gave us enough ammunition to call him a hoarder, but some of them were learning projects. We did have some fun at his expense, but when everyone visited Trivandrum in 2019, two of every appliance came in handy to handle the load :-). He was a visionary and obviously had the last laugh.

“Be like Jerry" resonates with the meticulous care he invested in his final project, transforming our family home into a net-zero oasis, adorned with solar panels and sustainable solutions feeding electricity into backup batteries and the remaining back to the grid. His vision extended beyond mere aesthetics, embodying a commitment to engineering for sustainability and a legacy of DIYism. Yet, amidst his professional pursuits, Jerry's unwavering dedication to family remained paramount. His dual roles as provider and protector were executed with precision and love, leaving an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to know him

His commitment to excellence was evident in his supervisory role at home too, whether overseeing home renovations or coordinating family car and bike wash weekends. As I recall our shared moments, from discussing kitchen designs for our condo to enjoying leisurely car wash projects, I am reminded to “Be like Jerry”, filled with gratitude for the invaluable lessons he imparted to me. Jerry's legacy of dedication, resilience, and unwavering love for family will continue to inspire us all.

As I reflect on Jerry's life, and as I expect to become the father of a baby girl soon, I am reminded that to "Be like Jerry" is to embrace transformation with grace, to nurture relationships with boundless love, and to pursue excellence in every facet of life. His legacy will forever inspire us to strive for greatness and get shit done. Rest in peace, Jerry appa. Your spirit lives on in the hearts of all who were touched by your love and wisdom.