Writing the January newsletter is both bitter and sweet. First, I want to
thank John Elezarian for being the Big Sir for the ’24-’25 year. It was so nice
to have John as Little Sir during my ’22-’23 year. He made the transition into
that year very easy. And, now he is making the next transition from ’24-’25
to ’25-’26 year very easy. I thank him for is organization and leadership in
making this transition easy. I also want to thank those on the BEC for volun
teering for another year. Having that consistency also makes the transition
very easy. I am looking forward to another year as Big Sir. With your help
and the BEC’s help, we will make this a great year for SIRs in Branch #169.
And now for the bitter. We lost a great friend to Sirs over the holiday. Jim
Hiney passed away. As some of you may or may not, Jim was undergoing
treatments in the hospital for both liver and kidney problems. The proce
dures proved to be too much for his heart, as he passed away Christmas
morning. Jim not only was a great friend to me, mentoring me through my
first year a Big Sir, but great friend personally. He was always there for a
joke and a laugh.
Jim was a great friend to SIRs as well. In past years he served as past Big Sir
(at least twice), membership chairman, area representative as well as bro
kering the merger of #175 and #179 with #169. The merger, with the assis
tance of Ed Dorn was seamless. Jim is survived by his wife Cheryl, daughter
Leanne and son Russell. Keep then in your thoughts and prayers as they
navigate this new segment of life.
Ernie Sopp. Big SIR
