I heard the news the way things happen in this age. Via instant messenger. That’s what makes this all the more unreal. Jon was literally, larger than life. Gregarious, warm, a bear of a guy. Seemingly invincible. We spent several years together at CNNSI.com during the height of the web bubble, and Jon always had an amazing head for sports and journalism. Great family, great kids, great philanthropist, then this. Snatched unexpectedly at 39 from his friends, his family and his community. It’s so difficult to understand. Even moreso in this digital age. His last Facebook update posted less than 24 hours before his passing says ‘Jon Barkan is surviving another day on this planet.’ One of his last Twitters said ‘ OK – this three kid thing is tiring … guess I will have time to sleep when I am dead, huh?’ And there he is on his blog, smiling back at us, holding Lord Stanley’s trophy, and posting the Peanuts mashup version of Outkast‘s ‘Hey Ya!’
Well, HEY YA to you, Jon. You will be missed by all those you touched in your too-short time with us. We all need to remember to embrace every day on this planet as if it were our last – take nothing for granted. God bless.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to:
- Davis Academy, 7901 Roberts Drive, Atlanta, GA 30350
- American Israel Education Fund, 980 Hammond Drive, ste 775, Atlanta, GA 30328
Links:
- AJC.com Obituary
- College Hockey News Remembers Jon Barkan
- U.S. College Hockey Online
- Former? Employee Jon Barkan Remembered – Atlanta Thrashers