Always a smile, always a sweet in the candy dish for the passerby. Always a twinkle in the eye, like he had a secret he way aching to tell, if you could just tickle it out of him. Quiet wisdom and steadiness no matter how rocky the way. A peaceful, gentle soul full of song (and a freakishly good bowling game to boot). In his company, my hard edges softened and my frazzled head grew more thoughtful. I miss him.

Mr. D - my friend, my confidante, and my brother - not a day goes by without me thinking about you. There is a palpable void at PHF. You kept the office running smoothly, and you kept all of us in line. The week after you retired, I think the copier broke down AND the phone system went out! There have been so many other things that have gone awry, but somehow, we are adjusting. We are managing, and we are creating a new normal. Because that’s what we have to do, right? However, your leadership (yes, leadership) is missed – your unassuming ability to inspire and motivate us to be our best. It goes without saying that I miss you tremendously, but I hold dear to all of our times together at work and at play. Whenever I listen to a Teena Marie or Stevie Wonder song, I will hear YOUR voice, and whenever I attend the theater, I will see YOUR smile. I’m bummed that we won’t be able to see Motown the Musical together, but I’ll be sure to get in a dance for you! Thank you for who you were to me and to so many others. You were a wonderful man with a rich legacy of kindness, patience, peace, joy, and LOVE. And after all - isn’t that how you measure the life of a man? You are gone but still so present, and my buddy – I will see you when I get to the other side.

Donald Joseph Salley, or “Mr. D,” as he was sometimes called, was an integral part of the tapestry of the Public Health Foundation (PHF). From ordering supplies to handling the logistics for the PHF Board of Directors meetings, Donald loved his job, but most of all, he loved the people with which he worked. This was evident by his way of making people smile while he was yet alive; and weep in the days and weeks after his death. Donald was a man of strength…how else would he have been able to go through the various bouts of cancer without complaining? Even in his pain, he would smile and say, “Well, I don’t feel half bad.” And during those times when he had been unable to sleep the night before, Donald would still garner up the strength to come to work because he knew that there were those waiting to see his infectious smile, to admire his fashionable clothing, and to draw from his strength. Mr. D was a man of integrity, and whatever he said that he would do, you could count on it! He possessed a quiet demeanor, but when he spoke…people listened. I guess he was a little like E.F. Hutton in this respect.  Donald was a man who exemplified kindness, yet looking for nothing in return. He always remembered and acknowledged my birthday, Mother’s Day, and Christmas, and sent me a card on these occasions. This year was the first time I didn’t receive a birthday card from Donald, but of course I’m not angry with him as he’s probably a little preoccupied these days enjoying his retirement in the homeland of the soul. I miss Donald, for to know him – was to love him. And when you really LOVE somebody, you have to be willing to let them go…but never to forget them. I will never forget Donald! As a matter of fact, before he passed away, we made plans to meet at the corner of Wemadeit Street and Over Boulevard. And even though we did not establish the date and time of our meeting, I can count on Donald being there just like he said he would.