With the passing of Jose Perez from ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, South Florida has lost a very important figure in the business community, the South Florida ALS Community has lost an inspirational leader, the Perez family has lost a wonderful son and father, and I have lost a dear friend.

Jose gave an explanation for the inexplicable, why a young vital person such as him should be struck down by a terrible disease such as ALS. Jose accepted ALS as his crusade in life and he committed what few years he had left to making a difference for ALS patients. He most certainly achieved his goal. Jose was the inspirational leader of ALS patients here in South Florida. Whenever he spoke of the ALS support group meetings or at the Annual Golf Classic dinners, there was no dry eye in the house, and patients and loved ones went away with a renewed sense of vigor to fight the disease. Jose's message was "Never, never give up".

Jose always thought of others before ever thinking of himself. When we would speak on the phone his first words were "Doctor! How are you doing? How is your wife? How are the girls?" I could not get to find out how he was doing until I had answered all of his questions about my family.

The University of Miami ALS Research Foundation that Jose Perez set up with his many friends on the Advisory Board has been a crucially important cornerstone in the development of the ALS Program in the University of Miami. With the Annual Golf Classic becoming ever more successful, the ALS Research Foundation has contributed a half million dollars to basic science research to try to find the cause of ALS. This could never have been done without the commitment and drive of Jose Perez, and particularly could not have been undertaken without his sons Jose Jr. and Alberto.

I want to say a personal word about Jose's family and particularly his sons. Jose never ceased to receive every support from everyone in his family. When I first met Jose he had a lovely wife, two young sons, devoted parents, and a very vigorous business. As the disease progressed, his two sons took on an increasing responsibility for the management of their father. Only they know just how much work that involved for two young boys growing up through their teenage years, and making a career for themselves. To take on a responsibility like that is quite unique. These are two wonderful young men. They are part of the legacy that Jose Perez has left to all of us.

Jose, we miss you but we are grateful for everything that you did for us.

Walter G. Bradley