Silvertips Mourn Loss of Close Friend

The Silvertips lost a dear friend Wednesday afternoon when Jim Leo passed away from complications due to open heart surgery. The lifelong Everett resident was 73 years old.

With his enduring civic involvement and selfless desire to assist family and friends around him, there are few members of this community who were not touched by Jim in some regard. A member of the Everett Herald’s photography and circulation department for 45 years, the avid photographer assisted the hockey club in many facets. Though he knew he would have limited mobility, he had still devised a plan in which he would be able to take the headshots of incoming players at this year’s training camp. On Monday, one day before his surgery, he showed up to work in the Silvertips’ team store to assist Merchandise Director Sheila Proctor unpack boxes and track inventory.

“He felt needed around here, and he absolutely was,” Proctor said. “He always, always wanted to help.”

The Silvertips offer their deepest condolences to Jim’s wife, Connie Rae, and their children, Jeff and Lori.