John Jaloway was not a person to shake your hand when he first met you. He was a hugger and always has been.

When I first met John about eight years ago, I went to shake his hand. He looked at me with a face, you know that face you give someone, and immediately pulled me in for a hug.

From then on, he was like a second father.

His daughter, freshman Ali Jaloway, has been one of my greatest friends to the point where she, and the rest of the Jaloways, are considered family.

John passed away on Jan. 2, after a construction accident, leaving behind four children and a widow. He also left behind a multitude of friends that cared for him more than he knew.

Jaloway was the best with his kids. A complete family man.

Always smiling. Always humble. Always selfless.

Not only will his family miss him but so will his friends and the entire community.

About two years ago, I grew incredibly close with Joey Jaloway.

Joey, 10, started getting interested in hockey because I play. I ended up letting him use old equipment, coaching him and his team.

John, a construction worker, would have varying hours at varying locations for his work. But somehow he always found time to attend his son’s hockey games and practices as often as he could.

I would always see John and Joey messing around in the locker room. They would push each other around in a loving father-son sort of way.

Not only did John have to juggle his schedule and seeing his son play. He also had to juggle three other kids’ schedules and make time for him and his wife. Yet somehow he always made it happen.

Finding out that John had passed was extremely difficult for my family and I.

Joey’s hockey team had celebrated New Year’s Eve the night before.

I had just seen him.

Gave me a big bear hug and an extra kiss on the cheek, like usual.

Jennifer Jaloway is one of the strongest women I know. Probably the only person I know that could handle this tragedy and still continue on.

To help Jennifer and her family, please consider donating to the family’s GoFundMe account as this will be a definite struggle for one of our own.

John was a selfless man with a contagious smile. Always happy. Never once did I see the man with a frown on his face.

Goodbyes hurt the most when the story isn’t finished and the book is closed.