WESTFIELD – On Thursday afternoon, Baystate Noble volunteers, staff and administrators met in Conference Room A to honor Jack Wolfe, a volunteer and founder of the pastoral care program at the hospital, on his last day on the job after 12 years.
One by one, as people arrived and gave Jack a hug, similar sentiments were expressed around the room.
“He was always available night and day. You can call him in the middle of the night and he’ll come and stay with patients, sometimes to the end. That’s his calling,” said switchboard operator Nancy Longey, adding, “I think he’s really going to miss everyone here, too.”
“He volunteers 40-60 hours of his week, of his own time. He’s come in the middle of the night,” said Sandra Louder, volunteer coordinator.
Former Baystate Medical director Frank Horrigan said he joined Wolfe on pastoral care after he retired. “One of the most dedicated Christian people I’ve ever met. He’s certainly an inspiration to all of us,” Horrigan said.
“He’s had a heart for the job for years,” echoed current pastoral care team member Marjorie Johnson. “He’s been so dedicated, beyond imagining. There will be a big hole when he goes,” Johnson said.
Baystate Noble president Ronald Bryant asked for everyone’s attention for a few moments during the reception, as he called Wolfe over.
“Jack has been a big part of Noble Hospital. The contributions he’s made since I’ve been here are unparalleled. I’ve been asked what am I going to miss about Jack. Every day, he would always give me advice. I’ve always thought that Jack was very successful, so I always listened to his advice,” Bryant said.
Retiring pastoral care volunteer Jack Wolfe and Baystate Noble president Ronald Bryant at a reception in Wolfe’s honor on Thursday. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
“When I read that as a young man he had success, but that’s not what made him happy, I couldn’t relate to him more,” Bryant added, as he presented Wolfe with a gift from the hospital, a clock with an inscription that reads: In grateful appreciation of your dedicated service and commitment to Baystate Noble Hospital.
Bryant was referring to a letter that Wolfe wrote to the staff, expressing his love and appreciation for their support. In the letter he wrote that when he was a much younger man, he set some very high goals, and was driven to get to the top. He wrote that he accomplished those goals, but found he was not a happy person.
“I found that, though I was able to reach the ultimate in the corporate world, there was something missing in my life. It began to eat away at me until I realized that the goal I had in mind was not what God had in mind… Now I am doing what I believe God intended for me to do, and I couldn’t be happier,” wrote Wolfe.
Jack Wolfe is leaving Baystate Noble to assist his minister, Tom Collard of Christ Cathedral Church in Springfield, in setting up a program to visit the sick and shut-ins who are unable to come to church. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
Following the presentation, Wolfe talked a little about his plans and his reason for leaving.
“I’m going to take a day or two off. Then I’m going to work for him,” he said, pointing to his pastor, Tom Collard, interim minister at Christ Cathedral Church in Springfield.
Wolfe said they are going to explore what they can do to cover visits to the sick and shut-ins who can’t come to church. Wolfe said the congregation is getting older, and more and more people are at home.
“We’ll try to start a program to meet those needs,” Wolfe said.
“We have lot of thoughts for Jack,” Collard said. “He’s an awesome guy.”
