The letters here were written at my request to have as many voices as I could bring with me to the courtroom as testament to Jamie, all he contributed to those around him, his character and his worth. That said, know that these letters were written within the frame of that request and that window of time, and some content may be very painful. And yet I feel these voices should be heard. So to share these voices and represent the most beautiful of these memories and all that Jamie imparted on our lives, friends and family have helped me collect some pieces of these letters and that is what you will find here first, before you see the full letters.“I cannot think of a finer blessing I've received these past several years than Jamie's friendship. . . His humility, sly and sharp humor, ridiculous head of hair - he was the kind of person who spoke infrequently, but when he did, his words were measured, weighty, and significant. He was not quiet in the sense of being a wallflower, observer of greater things around him. Jamie was quiet because he didn't require shouting his opinion or every thought to create value or esteem. I miss his peaceful thoughtfulness.”
— Theodore Nielsen
“He was funny, he was sharp as a tack, he was accomplished in both his personal and professional realms; he mattered to many.”
— Lindsay Van Wert
“When I explained it to my family and friends, I’d say it was all of that: Jamie was my friend, my leader, and my co-worker.
My wife, Lindsay, would say she knew when I was talking to Jamie on a video conference because my voice was lighter, happier, and I’d laugh more. I think that Jamie helped bring out the best in those he cared about. Jamie could ‘see things simply.’ He, some how, could cut through all the noise and isolate what was really going on. With this ability, Jamie saw the people in his life in a different light. He saw their potential, and in subtle, gentle, and empowering ways, he encouraged them to see what was there, yet latent. That’s what I mean by he brought out the best in people, it’s this insight used to empower, and it was immensely inspiring.”
— Matthew Tobiasz
“In one of the last conversations that I had with Jamie, he was talking about his philosophy of helping people at work & helping teams be the best they can be. He said that he truly believes people want to do good & that they want to work hard - they just have to find their strengths and an area that they’re passionate about. And that his own strengths were being able to create those spaces for conversation, being honest & relatable, & leading people towards positive transformation. I think that truly embodies Jamie’s genuine character of kindness and wanting to relate to & really know people for who they are. I’ll notice his sincerity just across the small actions he does - like remembering that I’m super fond of instant ramen & spicy food & stocking up on those items in the pantry when I’m over.”
— Amber Tang
“He was generous with his time and an open and giving person. . . a really important friend to me, one of those exceptional people who made me feel appreciated.”
— Alan Castles
Marker on Post-It drawing by Jamie Narkunski.
Natalie: I’m calling this guy, for now at least, “Tornado of Smooth”
“No matter how long it was in-between our chats, when we talked again it was like we’d never been apart. Under normal circumstances I would probably resent someone with so much talent, especially someone who was so popular with the cool kids, but I loved him.”
— Martin Wellard
“Jamie meant so much to so many people that I can only imagine my loss magnified by all those others. In the few years since we first met, Jamie became one of my best friends.”
— Gary Biggs
“Jamie was incomparably and effortlessly driven… [he] showed me that you could succeed in life without compromising the things you love; the things that really make life worth living… Perhaps most importantly though, Jamie was a caring and truly honest person. He never hid his opinions, and always had fantastic advice to give… He became one of my most trusted and valued friends.”
— Steve White
“When you needed encouragement… Jamie was there… I feel lucky to have considered him a friend, to have shared experiences and memories with someone so genuine and good at their core. Jamie’s legacy and positive impact lives on in all those he touched…”
— PJ Hennessy
“... Jamie and I became fast friends... his ambition and success inspired me to push my own limits. I’ll always remember him as a great friend, and a kind, intelligent person.”
— Jenn Voss
“He had such a calm and focused presence. … He would always listen with an open mind and give feedback that was useful, and honest. . . Always striving to improve himself and in the process raising the bar for friends and family to think bigger and achieve better lives for themselves as well. I will miss you greatly.”
— Steven Narleski
“I’ve found that new friendships are harder to come by the further we move through life - at least for me they have been - few make it past my increasingly particular filter. I remember when I met Jamie, I quickly sensed an element of familiarity - whether it was a knack he had with everyone or something I uniquely felt, I’m not sure. But his wry jokes followed by a grin and a chuckle were my speed.”
— Frank Yang
“I can still see him very clearly in my mind’s eye, with tousled hair, intelligent eyes, and that wry smile always looking on the verge of breaking into laughter… There was a ready warmth about him. Jamie always appeared so comfortable in his own skin, exuding a quiet confidence. I took him for someone you could rely on in a jam.”
— Gary Grossman
“There is no possible way for any one person to replace the positivity, the support, the love, the passion, the strength, the beauty, the knowledge, or the joy Jamie brought to this world.”
— Roberto Gutierrez
“I admired how Jamie lived his life. He could be equally critical and thoughtful on topics that people normally shy away from… I learned how to ask questions differently from the way Jamie would ask them. He had tremendous foresight and could laugh at himself when he was wrong. Hanging out with Jamie always felt like you had somehow gained entrance to a secret club… It’s because he was so great that we will carry forward with our hearts full of love he helped create.”
— Ben Williams
“I hope I can intentionally fill my own life and impart in my girls’ lives his sense of wonder, empowerment, enthusiasm, perseverance, and the extreme satisfaction of earning an honest laugh from someone… I hope... [his] energy... continues to infuse everyone it touches with passion, drive, a refusal to see a change in plans as a failure, and an unwavering faith that good things can happen… Jamie, I don’t know what you believed… but I hope you’re out there in some new iteration, the first of the rest of us to have the next adventure. I hope that what I loved in you finds a home somewhere else in the universe. Only great things can come of that.”
— Laurel Butcher
“Jamie… you are driven, unbelievably smart, unrealistically quick, brutally honest and absolutely hilarious. But the best thing about you is how truly good you are. You called things how you saw them and were unapologetic about it -- and you saw things the right way… We are all better for knowing you.”
— Sally Williams
“I can’t think of anyone friendlier; there isn’t a conversation with him I can think of where he wasn’t smiling… he was a friend anyone would be lucky to have.”
— Oscar Qin
“Jamie’s amazing ability to connect with people is something I admired very much. No corporate BS, no jargon, no self-promotion. I felt lucky that we had a leader who understood the value of great design and our respective talents.”
— April Kimmerly
“Thank you for your sincerity in everything you did. Your smile and laugh are unforgettable… Thank you for making the people I love most have better lives.”
— Millie Williams
“When I cleaned out my office, I left something behind. A 1935 Indian head/buffalo nickel. Sentimental value… Jamie sent me a text… asked if he could send it to me… I definitely wanted it back… a week later I got a priority package with the coin in it. I figured he would just send it in an envelope… I asked if I could Venmo him... for the cost of sending it and his time. I got… ‘no you can’t :)’ Made me smile and chuckle.”
— Bill Yetman
“Jamie… it was clear to me that everyone loved you… hard not to love and adore someone who cares more about others than themselves and radiated positivity…”
— Daniel Doremus
“I’ve honestly never met someone of Jamie’s caliber who not only shone with a unique combination of fierce intelligence, genuine sincerity, sharp-wittiness, colorfully tattooed arms, and a laid back style… but also someone who was all of this without so much as an ounce of pretension or ego… Jamie was the real deal.”
— Shann Maddox
“It was amazing watching Jamie’s evolution to the person he became. His work ethic, passion and determination to succeed elevated him… Jamie was the patriarch of our circle of friends. His passion for the outdoors and living a healthy life inspired all of us to pursue nature... Jamie was literally the smartest person I have ever met. This was evident to everyone who knew him… He was the kind of guy that could perfectly tile your bathroom but also direct an executive level board meeting with ease. Not many people can walk both worlds seamlessly…”
— Derek Bradley
“It was unusual to find such a centered, empathetic person who can also push his career forward with such vigor…They say you should surround yourself with people you admire, people who push you to do better, and we had Jamie… I miss all the things about Jamie. His goofy smile. The way he shrugged and bulged his eyes when he told some crazy story. The random text messages and emails about some delicious new recipe or restaurant he saw…”
— Maggie Bradley
“We often discussed life dreams and aspirations… our recurring conversations eventually led me to following Jamie and… thanks to Jamie’s referral and personal recommendation, I was able to achieve my dream…”
— Chris Risteter
“He was an incredibly generous, talented, and open person who was a lot of fun to be around.”
— Rachel Laycock
“[Jamie] was more than I could have ever hoped for in a son. My strong, self-motivated, hardworking boy, who always wanted to make a difference in today’s world… He succeeded on his own with determination and pride...Jamie was brave and adventurous! He was an avid mountain climber and mountain biker. Coming from the flatlands of South Jersey, these are not your everyday activities because my Jamie was not your everyday son.”
— Hannah Narkunski
“Jamie and I are/were first cousins, and while we never grew up together as I am 15 years older, we became much closer as adults. We share a passion for alternative music, the arts and progressive thinking. I think of Jamie as the younger brother I never had. Jamie excelled at whatever he explored. He was multifaceted. He had an intuitive understanding of business, yet with an artist's soul. He was adventurous, loved the outdoors, nature, animals and technology, loved to travel and see new places and experience new things.”
— Jessica Musumeci
“I come from a small family so it meant so much to me to have him in my life. We've been through the good and bad times together. He was there for me when my father passed away and I was able to be at his wedding and share that joy with him. I was so happy when Jamie and Natalie moved out to California after I did with my family. It meant I could keep that relationship with my cousin & friend that I loved.”
— Rachel Narkunski Staub
“We were so excited to learn that Jamie and Natalie were moving to the Bay Area last year. When Jamie and Natalie met us at a park after my son's soccer practice I remember thinking how lucky were we that we could continue spending time with Rachel's closest cousins.”
— Andrew Staub
Marker on Post-It drawing by Jamie Narkunski.
Natalie asked the post-it, “How's it going?“ “Hexagonally,” replied the post-it dude.
“To say he was intelligent isn’t enough. He was always pushing to be a better person, learn new things and wanted to share them with the people around him… He is a person most anyone would gravitate to and I felt more privileged to be around him as time went by… my sense of pride in Jamie as a son in law only grew. His drive and passion for adventure can only be out-done by one thing, his love for Natalie... Thank you Jamie for being a great husband to my daughter, being a caring person, and most of all a great human being.”
— Harry Weiss Jr
“Jamie brought life into Natalie, they would go on trips and adventures. He encouraged her to be more outspoken and to conquer her fears… Jamie, on more than one occasion, has proven that Natalie chose the right man to share her life with. Through Jamie’s hard work and dedication he proved he can conquer anything… wanted a better life for himself and his family… always thinking about his future and planning ahead. Jamie and Natalie were partners in every aspect of their life together.”
— Linda Weiss
“In the time I got to know Jamie Narkunski I can whole-heartedly say he was the best example of a human being I have known… You could easily sense just how intelligent he was, without ever feeling condescension. He had something to add to any conversation… Somehow in normal and natural flow of conversation I would walk away having learned something… His intellect shown through in all facets of life… Above all his traits and character was the love for my sister. It was real, it was obvious, it was deep, and it was forever.”
— Harry Weiss III
“Jamie was the person I looked up to most. Though he was only one month older than me, his advice was more like a fathers… Jamie was articulate and wise beyond his years… He played so many roles in my life, it’s hard to describe just how influential he was.”
— Jim Dessicino
“Jamie grew up Jewish and I grew up Catholic. I'm explaining this because he was always intrigued by my strong Italian family dynamic. So, I invited him to spend Christmas with my husband (boyfriend at the time) and family. When Christmas came Jamie showed up with his big smile. He charmed my family with his wit, sense of humor, and even played the guitar for my little cousins. Jamie just really fit into my life like a brother.”
— Loraine Stites Griffiths
“When I… didn’t think I would make it… it was being with you… that helped me get through… Being friends with you has brought such happiness…”
— Chris Dennis
“His mind was just amazing and he was always truly thinking outside-the-box - he was the kind of person who would have changed the world for the better. That is my theory. I would have helped him do anything to achieve his goals - I believed in him.”
— Stacy Gordon
“He was the nicest person who had a soul only to help and bring smiles to those around him. He was the one who always said yes to an adventure and would go out of his way to help you when you were in need.”
— Teddy Mohlman & Alexa Cajiga
“Jamie was a hard-working husband who supported his wife in every way and even encouraged her to return to school to pursue her passion. Jamie’s family and friends are far-reaching… Jamie and Natalie’s wedding was a huge event in our family… because of what their relationship meant to all of us and how they always made us feel when we were with them. It was a true celebration of what love truly is.”
— Michele Busler
“Jamie was selflessly committed to supporting… he would do anything for anyone… our lives are forever changed.
— Marie Patriarca
“Jamie and Natalie had something special… they understood each other in a way that no one else could… I always aspired to have a relationship such as theirs, and I had always hoped to find a man that respected me and loved me as much as Jamie loved Natalie... I believe that everyone needs someone like Jamie in their lives.””
— Carli Busler
“...You didn’t need that much time to realize how unique he was: a genuine, humble, welcoming, fun and generous person. He had that one of a kind ability to connect with people and make them feel comfortable because he was simply interested in chatting with you and getting to know you. I enjoyed every single minute by his side, either to discuss work, music, sport, tattoos, pets…I’m convinced he touched so many lives as he touched mine.”
— Eric Martin-Ballo
“Jamie was a clever, kind and playful person. He took time and energy to visit us in France from the west coast to connect with our European team. Because this is what he did well; connecting with people to better connect the dots… he was the bridge across the two sides of the Atlantic…”
— Benjamin Cadars
“I will remember him as a gentle, approachable and very humble person. It was always a pleasure to meet him…”
— Nicolas Dubois
“He made us feel very welcome and valued from the first time we met. He could do this because he was a naturally generous, approachable and kind person. With a great love of life… I valued the professional guidance Jamie provided.”
— Nicole Harris
“Jamie was an incredibly inspiring, generous, approachable, and intelligent man… always knew that we could trust him and rely on him when in need of support. A good piece of advice, guidance or just a joyful conversation.”
— Aina Requena
“With Jamie. We could consider him as a friend rather than a boss. It is so easy to talk to him about everything, from silly to serious things. He doesn’t care about your title in the company, where you come from, he will see you as a whole person.”
— Francis Gading
“Jamie really was one of the most kind, heartwarming and talented people I’ve ever met so far… he was incredibly approachable, humble, and profoundly engaged with all topics dear to his heart… incredibly passionate about people… ready to lend an ear, encourage us, and help us through hard times.”
— Camila Pedraza
“He was truly one of the nicest people I have ever met and his positivity rubbed off on everyone around him. He was funny, kind, approachable, gentle and just loved life. I enjoyed listening to his stories and as a colleague, he offered valuable support and advice with a huge smile.”
