I have no idea who Hosam Elkhodary is until I got the following email from Jim Sterne on April 7
[Jim's email:
Dear Friends -
I am so very sad that the web analytics industry has lost an enormous proponent, eMetrics enthusiast and talented UBC WA instructor. Hosam Elkhodary's heart gave out suddenly yesterday. There are very few details at the moment but it was completely out of the blue. Those of you who met Hosasm know of his passion and his joy for our industry.
He will be missed. ]
Since then, there are a number of emails flooding in the WAA yahoo group from people who know Hosam very well such as Aaron W, Anil Batra & June Li. A donation fund in memory of Hosam was also set up and here is the link to the Heart and Stroke Foundation June specifically reminded us,
“In addition designating that the contribution is in memoriam of Hosam, please make sure you address the card as follows, which will doubly ensure the donation is directed properly:
Abdalla Elkhodary
7 Delaney Drive
Ajax, Ontario
L1T 4B2″
And that’s what I did just few minutes ago.
The sad loss of Hosam made me recall how my dad passed away in a similar fashion 11 years ago. My mom, my sisters and I were left with sorrow and grief for many years and we still can’t completely get away from the fact that he left us at such a young age. My dad died when he was 49 years old and I guess Hosam is probably even younger.
All these just remind me how much I should cherish the life I have now. As we are optimizing website all day long, let’s not forget there is a deeper meaning of our lives.
Karam Labban
June 24, 2009 at 1:29 am
Hosam was a very dear friend of mine. I am still in shock of what happened. My heart goes out to his family. We spoke just shortly before he passed away. We were going to meet in Chicago over the 4th of July. I met Hosam when we worked at GE Info Services and he mentored me so unselfishly. We lost track of each other after we left GEIS, but just last year I found him on Linkedin. What a great man. I almost can hear his voice from past conversations. I do pray that his wife and his young kids. He always talked about his kids and how much he wanted them to have safe and successful lives. I would love to hear they are doing as he wished for them. Rest in peace and in heaven my dear friend and brother.