Passing of the man I idolized most

This past week the world lost a professor, a entrepreneur who founded American Association of Individual Investors (AAII), author, & a patron of the arts. I lost more then my papa, I lost the person I have idolized since I was a boy. 

My papa instilled in me a love of travel, a curiosity to learn about the world around you, to love your family deeply. His work ethic was legendary and while often quiet when he did speak you would do wise to listen. 

I am so grateful to have so many amazing memories to look back on with him and I am so happy he got meet and spend time with wife and his grandchildren. Some of career advice he gave me was to find a job you genuinely enjoy doing, that challenges you & stimulates you mentally and of course roles that allow you to never stop learning - I am lucky to have that currently as a strategy lead at L3Harris Technologies and in past at Hill+Knowlton Strategies embedded at AT&T.

Beyond sad to have him taken from us early due to COVID19. Please wear a mask, keep social distance and take it serious. If not for yourself then for people like my papa.

Author page for James B. Cloonan | AAII

James Cloonan Obituary (2020) - Chicago Tribune (legacy.com)