8. September 2008 by admin.

I closed the office today and will re-open it Tuesday morning at 10am.  No Out business will be conducted today as we celebrate Jeff Howell. 

Wow…Out closes its offices for one day in recognition of Jeff Howells.

What a great editor and friend.

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5. September 2008 by admin.

This is the hardest blog I have ever written.

I know it has been a while since I last blogged.  This week has been one that I would rather forget.

After a long holiday weekend, I headed back to work.  I was refreshed, relaxed and ready to take on the abbreviated work week.  Last week was very busy getting the September issue out and delivered.  The Labor Day holiday was welcomed and afforded us the chance to get our garage cleaned out, attend a party and some late night swimming time without the kids.  As Ed and I floated, we gazed at the beautiful stars, unbeknown to us, a tragedy was about to happen…

Tuesday brought a day that I will never forget and change an important part of Pittsburgh’s Out.  Today would be the day we discovered my good friend and employee dead.  Jeff Howells, my editor in chief, and guy that I would have endless daily conversations with was suddenly taken from this earth unexpectedly.  Things will never be the same…

Jeff was a model employee that was devoted to this newspaper for 22 years.  Some of you knew him and many have seen his name in Out, but most will never know what he meant to his Out family.  He was more than just employee.  He was a behind the scene guy that chose us as his family and we proudly chose him.  He loved this newspaper as much as anyone, and understood the importance of his work.   This was reflected in everything he did and every issue he faced.   And, at only 50 years old, he did more during his short visit on earth than some us will do in an average lifespan. 

I was amazed with the outpouring from his family and friends.   Jeff’s friends are many and span throughout the world.  I had the opportunity to speak to many of them and share in incredible stories about Jeff.  It is very oblivious how much people love and cared about him.

When you lose someone so close to you like we did, words are not enough to express what we feel.  Jeff was a journalist, and a witty one at that.  I struggled to decide how or even if I would write about his death in my blog.  I wanted to be respectful to his family and honor him in a way that is fitting.  This is why I decided to wait a few days before writing you today.  I too, needed a few days to get through the shock and process the day, the image that has changed my life forever. 

So next time you dance to that special song by Donna Summers or read the comics in the Sunday newspaper, think of Jeff.  Even if you have never had the opportunity to have met him in person, please celebrate all that he has done for Pittsburgh’s glbt community through the pages of Out and for the wonderful and caring person he became. 

 
Photo: John Colombo

Jeffrey Lee Howells
July 30, 1958 - September 2, 2008 
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/obituaries/
 

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