Remembering our John

A remembrance gathering for John Jelich will be held on Monday, September 23 from 2-5 p.m. at the St. Michaels Library. The family and staff welcome patrons and friends of John to attend.

John Jelich loved life. He loved helping people at the library, exchanging stories with them, connecting with each person by accepting and welcoming us as we came to him--our foibles and strengths. His interactions with so many of our patrons were spot on. He listened to them and made book recommendations that they enjoyed. His reader advisory skills were top notch. He would joke with patrons when appropriate and make them feel appreciated.

John passed away on August 23rd from a long struggle with cancer. His sense of humor and ability to make others laugh is missed by all that knew him. He was highly motivated to learn more and try new things. He did not hesitate to talk out any issues that came up and was known for holding a confidence. He was willing to do whatever was asked of him. He cared deeply about others. In a recent conversation, he expressed his hope that people treat each other with kindness and care.

LIke a number of our long-time staff members, John started work at the Talbot County Free Library as a volunteer shelver, served as an Information Services Substitute and then went on to work as a Library Associate at the St. Michaels Branch. Like many who come to the Library profession later in life, John brought with him a wealth of knowledge and experience from his former profession as a Real Estate Broker. As he wrote in his job application, "For 35 years, I have dealt with people in a multitude of capacities." John Jelich was appointed President of the Talbot Board of Realtors, and served on the Boards of United Way, Talbot County Historical Society and Parents Association of Country School. John also served on the Friends of the Talbot County Free Library Council where he is remembered for his creativity, advocacy, humor and love of the library.

John also ran a number of large charity events as a volunteer for the hospital, Historical Society, Academy Art Museum, Saints Peter and Paul, and the Country School. John Milton Jelich was born in Naples, Italy in 1957. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Washington College in 1979.

He was a passionate advocate for the St. Michaels Library and its patrons. He is sorely missed by his family, friends, co-workers and all of those of whom he gave of himself without hesitation. These are just some thoughts and memories among many others that mean so much to us that we wanted to share:

• I loved John like a brother—he could tease me, I could tease him. There was always a sense of security and comfort working with him. To say that I will miss him is an understatement.
• John Jelich loved figs. Two years ago, I gave John a branch cutting from my fig tree. Unfortunately, I gave it to him in late summer early fall thinking this would be a good time to plant it. John’s wife, a master gardener, said it should have been planted in the Spring. The tree was given a 10% chance that it would grow. This past July, John’s tree had 3 figs growing on it. Not bad!
• John was enthusiastic, appreciative, and loved working at the library with his patrons.
• He exchanged nicknames with a co-worker: JJ and Clarkie
• John had a fabulous sense of humor, was a chocolate lover, and let no grass grow under his feet.
• John was an excellent baker who cared deeply about those around him. He would bring us treats for the staff meetings which I did enjoy. He even introduced me to new tastes like alligator and octopus.
• John wasn’t afraid to share his deepest feelings and beliefs. His courage to share his feelings and pain at the same time he would share life’s humorous moments was amazing.
• John was a dedicated and passionate contributor to the library and will be greatly missed by us as well as the larger community.
• John was a fighter, he showed us courage but also did not hide his struggles.
• He was a wonderful person and we always looked forward to seeing him when my family visited the St. Michaels Branch. May his memory be a blessing.
• He was a beloved friend of so many, especially at our library. We came to know him well over the years, including so recently through his devoted work at the St. Michaels and Easton’s branches. What a loss to us all.
• A tremendous loss, my heart breaks for his family, friends and coworkers.
• I liked that he was very dependable, consistently punctual and rarely late to work.
• He was always kind and ready to help out when needed. He will be missed.
• I know he was a valuable staff person and so committed to the library. Beyond that, he was cared about and respected by staff and patrons.
• He was a beloved member of the library family and will be missed.
• John was so terrific on the Friends Council and super with children, he will be missed far beyond the TCFL community.
• He welcomed people at the library just as they were, whoever they were.

The library was one of his homes, a place with endless space for laughter, fun, living life, finding good books and but even better—good people. Contributions in his honor can be made to the Talbot County Free Library Foundation, St. Michaels Branch Fund (Friends of John Jelich).

John--your smile, warmth, wily wit and passion for helping others carries forward with all of us. Your example of how to live and love life and fill it with kindness, laughter, and good stories is encouraging to all who knew your spirit.