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The words that I speak today cannot do justice to who my brother was. But I will try. Waleed was a man of great integrity, compassion, and kindness. And in the past few days we have talked to many people and received many messages about him, all describing what a wonderful friend, what an extraordinary human being and what a magical person he was. As one message stated, Waleed’s passing leaves “a gaping hole in many of our hearts for a lifetime”. Waleed was blessed with a keen intelligence (maybe not quite to the level of his older brother) but intelligent nonetheless. I remember spending countless afternoons and evenings water-skiing with him, while he was supposed to be working towards his MBA at Harvard. How many stories have we heard from his classmates at Harvard who were just a little frustrated when he would breeze into a study group late as usual, offer several solutions to a difficult case that had consumed hours of their time, and then run off to go water-skiing. He received numerous degrees while never missing out on a moment of fun, and his ability to make it all seem so effortless made the rest of us feel a little envious. Waleed was a tireless worker and a dedicated professional. He worked for Monitor all over the world, starting as a consultant, then helping establish their office in Istanbul, and lastly working in London as the chief of digital strategy for Europe. His dedication to his work, and his pleasant and easy-going attitude made him invaluable to both colleagues and clients. Many of the condolences that we have received came from clients who were impressed by him as a businessman, and in deep sorrow over his loss as a trusted friend. Waleed loved life, and he lived it to the fullest. For someone who is not a big traveler , I got to live vicariously through him. The trips to Thailand and India, the Safari in Africa, the trek across South America, the cycling vacations through France and Italy. The kids always looked forward to Uncle Waleed’s visits, and he would shower them with knickknacks he picked up in exotic places. But what is most impressive, is how Waleed touched people. Everyone he met, became his friend. Everyone who crossed his path, would never forget their encounter. And, at least in my humble opinion, that is the true measure of a person’s life on this earth. And to his parents, his fiancée Nicolette, and his entire family, Waleed was our shining light. So that’s the Waleed that a lot of people knew. But when I think back, I remember the endless torturous teasing that I inflicted on him when I was 12 and he was only 8. The one-on-one soccer games that we played, both outside and (to Mom’s displeasure) in our room. The freestyle wrestling matches in the living room. Then when I moved away to college, the weekly phone calls to discuss how our favorite soccer teams were doing. And when he joined me, the touch football games at Stanford. And after we graduated, water-skiing on Lake Quinsigamond near Boston. Hanging out at his place in Back Bay. Family vacations with Mom, Dad, May and her family. His visits to our house as he jetted all over the world. And September 9, 2001, when Waleed asked me to be his best man. Waleed loved Pink Floyd. And even though Pink’s lyrics are not always appropriate (and I don’t claim to know what they really meant by them) I will quote those from a song called Breathe, because to me they describe a lot of what Waleed was about. Breathe, breathe in the air Don't be afraid to care Leave but don't leave me Look around and choose your own ground For long you live and high you fly And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry And all you touch and all you see Is all your life will ever be. Waleed; I, and I think many other people in this world, need to be more like you. I am so proud to say that I am your brother. I will miss your phone calls from all corners of the earth. But I am happy that you will live forever in my heart. |
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