Kind, Compassionate, Creative, Intelligent, Caring
Jordan’s mother, Paula, spoke with eloquence and love when describing her son. “Jordan was the most compassionate, intelligent, caring, creative person I have ever known. His depth, listening skills and ability to make people feel better about themselves was certainly altruistic, but also could easily be manipulated by people that took advantage.” As a child, he often protected kids with disabilities or those who were being harassed. Even at a young age, he was observant of others’ needs over his own. He always forgave people that mistreated him. “As a parent, Paula said, it’s strange to say, but my son always had the best advice. His explanations of complex issues made him a great teacher.”
When Jordan was a child being raised by a single mother, he had fantastic suggestions for Paula’s female friends who were having relationship difficulties. He gave spot-on advice and would end it with, “you know how I know that Colleen? Because I am a guy.”
Jordan created an imaginary father. His name was Bob Kamersky, and he was a boatbuilder. Bob never made Jordan pick up his toys, like Mom did. Jordan had a great sense of humor and was a prankster. He loved every minute of pranking his “gullible” mother.
Once when he was eight, Paula had to take him to a work meeting involving a consultant who was called in because of staff in-fighting. When the consultant asked if anyone had anything to share, Jordan spoke up. He gave an amazing speech about teamwork and how working together would make everyone’s job better. The entire room was moved, and he became known as “8 going on 80”. It was like talking to a child that had more critical thinking skills than most adults his mother knew.
Paula’s favorite traveling companion was Jordan. He was adaptable to new cultures and environments. They went to Paris and evidently brought a hurricane from Boston with them. Many sites were destroyed by Paris’ first and only hurricane. Jordan was 11 and never complained. Internationally, they went to Paris, Italy, Ireland, and Canada. There were many other places he wanted to visit, so his mother has been spreading his ashes all over the world. Jordan’s mother mused, “It’s hard for me to travel with most people. Jordan was so easy.”
Although Jordan had allergy-related asthma as a child and never got into competitive sports, he was a risk-taker and enjoyed skateboarding. He also enjoyed the times his mother took him white water rafting or later when they went skydiving and flew a small plane.
Jordan had ADHD and depression and struggled with substance use. His guitar was his favorite antidepressant. He took some lessons, but was mostly self-taught. Jordan was an avid learner. He taught himself algorithms to help him compose neoclassical music. It showed his dedication to what brought him joy. Paula wishes someone had put words to his compositions for others to enjoy.
As an adult, Jordan worked in Information Technology (IT). He received awards in computer coding and math concepts. He was being promoted to running a business IT support group when he passed. His co-workers always asked Jordan to explain complex topics, and friends shared that he helped them through hard times.
Jordan once said to a friend who was going through difficult times, “The hardest part is the journey,…but that’s where the lessons come in, the learning and growing. And growing hurts.”
Jordan’s mother, Paula Haddad, provided the information for this narrative.
June 10, 1988-March 4, 2015-Age 27
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Lynn McKnight
