Monty Joffin

Good Samaritan / Man About Town

This wonderful man is an original. When I was a child and a teenager, I thought Monty was ALWAYS happy, because he had so many funny stories to tell (with the laugh often at his own expense). Back then, he seemed larger then life - he knew everybody, and he could engage anybody in a great conversation. Of course, no one is always happy. Knowing some of the things he has gone through makes his exuberance even more remarkable. Monty has a great, sensitive heart and endless generosity. He's always interested in people and their stories.

I hadn't seen Monty in several years. My dad sent him a link to my photoblog, and Monty let me know how much he liked the pictures. We got together for a sushi lunch and coffee on a patio, and we talked about what is happening in our lives. Even when I was a shy and awkward 16 year old, Monty could put me completely at ease with his warmth, and that's just the same now.

I have pictures of him laughing and pictures of him on his cell phone helping someone solve a problem. But this is the one that shows what I love - his deep kindness and sweetness. He'll go ahead and ask the personal question that others avoid because he really cares and wants to know. Monty doesn't hide his heart - he shows his joy, his irritations, and his sadness too - and that makes it easy to open up to him.