I was not planning on doing this today.
But, life changes without warning and dramatically.
Northampton State Rep Peter Kocot died yesterday at the age of 61. His wife says he died at home following an illness. He worked all the way through his illness.
The last time I saw the affable veteran state lawmaker was in Northampton at Look Park. I was with friends and he was at a Scotish Festival. We didn't talk about business. He talked about the good old days of when I still did baseball. His son played for one of the prep schools if memory served.
He was the guy you could go to and know that you were going to get a straight answer. He was a politician. But he was more of the old school guys. Constituent service was important to him. Family was important. He always made you feel that he was really listening.
Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz said last night, "He was a man of immense conviction, compassion, and intellect who cared deeply about the people and communities he served and the everyday issues affecting their lives. He was a champion for social and economic justice who worked tirelessly and with great humility to better our city, his district, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
I can't say it any better.In a day and age when everyone races to the next election or the next sound bite, there was a man who put service before plaudits and caring before ego.
Oh that they all were like Peter.
Rest in Peace Rep.
(pictured provided by Representative Kocot's Office)