Monday, June 2, 2008
The Judge was a friend to all. Prosecutors, Public Defenders and the Private Bar. Baseball fans, fishing enthusiasts and his flying buddies. In my 7 years with the Judge in PIP we laughed all the time. We laughed while we were hiding in his office smoking (Pat), when he was on the bench telling defendants there were no atheists in a fox hole right before he sent them to state prison even when we were waiting for the damn private bar to show up for a 10:30 ready hold at 12:15. Prosecutors loved to appear before him, not because he was pro-state but because we knew that we would get a fair shake no matter what kind of case it was or who the defendant or attorney was. You should know that the plaque we presented him when he left the bench was paid for by each of us individually because the office couldn't. Bill Galda and I were speaking about this today and he is the only judge in all of out time in the office that has been given a plaque by us. I thought you should know that because it should make it all the more precious as it was not a perfunctory gesture by our office but a heart felt one by each of us. Personally, he treated my kids like his own whether at the court house or when he came to their games which he did frequently. Ray loved flying with the Judge and his buddies and between the two of us we could probably have one hell of a garage sale on planes and everything that goes with it. Please accept our heart felt condolences on your lose. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers forever If there is anything we can do just let us know. With love....Ray, Sue, Erika and RJ Voorman
