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July 14, 2006
In Memoriam: Seamus Houston
My friend Seamus was a frequent reader and commenter on this blog. He was one of the first people that I met when I moved to DC. Back in tha day we partied together - a lot, and it's quite fitting that Nation has it's last call on the same day as the rememberance service. He was a mentor in my career development as well, and now I do what he did, albeit on a less glamorous level. We both liked the same type of dumb-looking, hairy guys. The photo is of him and his late dog that he loved very much, Bacchus. Perhaps they are back together walking in the park somewhere now. We will miss you Seamus.
SEAMUS HOUSTON - The Washington DC community lost one of its brightest and liveliest with the unexpected death of Geneseo, NY native Seamus Houston. A good friend to many, he will be missed by all that knew him. Houston, 46, died suddenly in his sleep, June 22. A resident of Washington DC since 1983, he spent more than 20 years in marketing, communications, public relations and event management in Washington D.C., working in the private, non-profit and government sectors. Recently, the director of communications and marketing for the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art and Design, Houston started his career in 1983 as public relations coordinator for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Syracuse University Newhouse School graduate moved on to work as public relations director of Tourmobile Sightseeing; director of marketing for The Pavilion at the Old Post Office; national dinner manager for the Human Rights Campaign; director of marketing for Westfield America; director of marketing for The Mills Corporation; senior director of marketing and communications for the Downtown DC Business Improvement District; and director of North American operations for Artlumiere, a Paris-based large-scale artistic illumination company. The eldest son of the late Honorable J. Robert Houston and the late Judith Chandler Houston, he is survived by siblings Gertrude, Emmet, Eleanor and Kathleen Houston (husband Soren Thomas); nieces and nephew Felicity, Kate, Isabelle, James and Elizabeth Thomas and several close cousins.
A memorial service will be held 2pm, July 15th, 2006 at St. Thomas' Parish, 1772 Church St NW, Washington, DC 200364. A reception to follow, 3-5pm at Annie's Paramount Steak House (2nd Floor Lounge), 1609 17th St., NW, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Genesee Valley Conservancy, P.O. Box 73, One Main St., Geneseo, NY 14454.
Seamus was one of the first people I met when I moved to DC, and remains one of the most outgoing people that I have met in the 10 years I’ve lived here. While so many people in this town work with personal networks and contacts, it is rare when someone simply approaches you to say hello like he did. And even fewer people offer Pez when first meeting. He was always in a perky mood and had motherly advice to offer, even if it was along the lines of “Do as I say, not as I do.” It’s notable that we met at The Eagle, where the type that we both had an interest in could frequently be found. To quote the lyrics of comedienne Julie Brown “I go bar-hopping and when they say last call; I start shopping for a Neanderthal. I like 'em big and stupid; I like 'em big and real dumb.” And Seamus, if you had only waited for just a little while more, I understand that the biggest, dumbest member of the DC Metropolitan Police was at your side for several hours just a few weeks ago. I hear tell from the close friends who were there that you would have approved.
We logged many hours on the dance floor together - and it's fitting that Nation has it's last call tonight before closing for good. Should I have the reserves this evening I’ll try to be there on the dance floor towards the front, just by the stage under the lights where we always regrouped. Our regular troupe may have dispersed over the years, but the memories of all the fun we had at Millennium, the Colors of Fall party, the Reaction Dance and Nation will remain.
When I moved here after a brief career as a park ranger, then as a dot-com web designer, Seamus helped mentor me through my career development with sage advice on how to work through the system in this town. Success here ultimately involves people, which were his forte. Today I work doing marketing and communications, and Seamus played a large role in helping mold my career into something that I enjoy doing, that he also enjoyed and excelled at as well.
After a difficult breakup of mine, we had many long lunch gabs during the time I was un- or under-employed. If Seamus wasn’t able to get a lunch on the house from knowing everyone at any given restaurant, he would cover the lunch during those difficult times. Even more valuable than the meals was the dating advice or urban survival tips which he gave freely, giving the best advice when I was in the worst shape. He was full of such advice the last time we spent time together on a shopping trip. I needed new pants for work, and always shop for clothes with a discerning friend. Remembering tips he gave me long ago, such as “No Short-Sleeved Dress Shirts – Ever” and “No Braided Belts,” I thought he’d be a good shopping partner. This time he consoled me through the reality that I was no longer a waist size 32, and had to move up to 34, or possibly 36 due to winter’s bounty. The horrors of this reality hit me hard, but he did his best to help with firm consolation, as he always did.
Seamus, we will miss you.
Posted by jimbo at July 14, 2006 10:58 AM
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Comments
Jimbo,
I'm truly sorry for your loss. That is a beautiful tribute.
Posted by: Howard at July 14, 2006 11:54 AM
I'm sorry to hear about your loss and your friend Jimbo. I agree with Howard, a very nice tribute you wrote. Take care.
Posted by: TOS at July 14, 2006 1:46 PM
*bear hug*
Posted by: moby at July 14, 2006 2:05 PM
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Posted by: Dave at July 14, 2006 8:10 PM
Jim,
I'm very sorry to hear of your friend's passing. You wrote a very nice tribute. God be with you and him :-)
Take care - big hugs - Mark
Posted by: Mark at July 15, 2006 11:25 AM
Jimbo,
I'm really sorry for your loss. Hopefully God be with him and you.
Posted by: gabriel at July 16, 2006 1:41 PM
Jim,
I only wish I had the fortunate of having such a wonderful person like Seamus in my life. God be with you both! :)
Posted by: Patrick at July 16, 2006 10:34 PM
He Jimbo,
So sorry you've not only lost a close friend but had to deal with it for such an extended period. Now though, you'll have the chance to finally put this all to rest. Sounds like he was a great guy and you've given him the appropriate tribute.
Posted by: rodger at July 16, 2006 11:29 PM
I'm sorry for your loss Jimbo.
Posted by: Brendan at July 17, 2006 5:46 PM
I am sorry to read about your great loss of friendship. I hope you are hanging in there well.
Posted by: Jason at July 18, 2006 6:39 PM