For me, my family, and to many others living all around the Tampa Bay area as well, the "Spirit of Christmas" recently suffered a hard body shot to the solar plexus.

The blow was a direct result of the passing of Jim Salzman, 57, on the morning of Friday November 30, 2007.

I invite you to celebrate the life of my friend, Big Jim Salzman by watching this video and reading this Eulogy.

For the past 25 years, Jim Salzman built his seasonal business - Jim's Wisconsin Trees --by importing fresh Christmas Trees from Wisconsin and selling them to Florida residents in the Tampa Bay Area.

To his loyal customers, he was "Big Jim"

(L to R)Friends - Gordy Kopke, Roger Brunk, Santa and "Big Jim" Salzman

Although it was nearly 20 years ago, I can still vividly remember the first time I met Jim Salzman. I was pulling my car into his tree lot when I spotted him. After all, standing 6 feet, 5 inches tall, Jim stood out in a crowd under normal circumstances.

But, on that particular day (the first time I saw him) he was frantically running around his Christmas tree lot clad bare-chested and in bib overalls, work boots and Santa hat. At that particular moment, Jim was headed towards the trunk of a customer's car with two Christmas trees, one slung on each shoulder.

And after exchanging wishes for a Merry Christmas and waving his customers farewell, Jim turned his attention to me. Hi, I'm "Big Jim" he said while extending his hand in friendship. "Can I help you find a tree?"

I'll never forget my thought as I struggled to grasp his huge calloused hand. "Big Jim" -- of course, after all, what else would you call him?

Mr. Natural “Tomatoes here—just like your Grandma used to grow,” crows Jim Salzman as he works the crowd to sell garden-style tomatoes at the Dane County Farmers Market in Madison, Wisconsin. Photograph by Jim Richardson - Copyright National Geographic Society 2002

And from that day forward, our friendship grew.

With his million-dollar personality, a lot of sweat and hard work, Big Jim's clientele steadily grew. What's more, over the years, most of his return customers - like me - became his friend.

In my eyes, Jim Salzman was a very warm and giving man whose spirit was nurtured through personal deeds he performed to enrich the lives of others. He was an honest, hard-working man who earned his living from the soil of the earth.

During the summer months, Jim grew ornamental plants and sold them form roadside stands in Wisconsin. Once, a National Geographic Photographer happened by and took Jim's picture. The photo made the pages of National Geographic and I'll always remember how proud Jim was that year when he came to Clearwater and showed me the clipping.

Big Jim Salzman was the Spirit of Christmas.

Although I never took the time to think about it, now that Jim is gone, I've suddenly realized the profound impact his friendship has had on my family's life and on me.

Personally, my holiday spirit officially started each year around Thanksgiving at the exact moment I spotted Jim's Wisconsin Tree's Christmas tent going up in Clearwater. That was my clue that the boys, Big Jim Salzman, Gordy Kopke and Jaime Ortega were on the road and headed south to Clearwater.

Big Jim's Christmas spirit was infectious and this year I was especially looking forward to catching some myself. So, I made a point to stop by the tent on the Monday, after Thanksgiving to say Hi and welcome everyone to town. Jaime was working under the tent when I arrived. He explained to me that I had just missed Big Jim who had gone to Home Depot for supplies.

Jaime and I talked for a few minutes and I left, fully expecting to catch up with Big Jim and the boys at the time we make our family Christmas tree purchasing pilgrimage.

But it was not to be.

Friends and co-workers pose with "Big Jim" Salzman at his Christmas Tree Lot on Friday November 30, 2007 in Clearwater. Photo by Gordy Kopke

Four days later, on Friday morning, November 30, 2007, Big Jim Salzman was gone.

That morning a fresh truckload of trees arrived and the boys were up early and working hard to unload the truck.

When the work was done, they all took a break and that's when it happened. Big Jim Salzman suffered a massive heart attack and quickly died.

At the time of his death, he was doing what he loved best and surrounded by fellow co-workers and close friends.

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER: Jim Salzman and Gordy Kopke Photo by Bruce Hosking

In my eyes:

Big Jim Salzman epitomized the concept of friends and family tradition. He lived for Christmas.

Jim was salt of the earth, unpretentious and a hard worker - and I respected him for that.

He would always greet you with enthusiasm, a toothy smile and his baritone laugh.

Jim's spirit was infectious - he shared it freely with others and that made him a rich man.

And I truly believe that the world would be a better place if there were more gentle soles like Big Jim Salzman.

Jim, We'll all miss you and I'll never forget our friendship.

Rest in Peace

The Hosking Family

Response from the Salzman Family:

My name is Ann Salzman and I have known "Big Jim" Salzman for 25 years, having been married to him for about 10 of those years. I just wanted to thank Bruce for the touching eulogy he wrote about Jim.

Although we had been divorced for the last 13 1/2 years, Jim and I remained close friends united by our children, Sara and Jake. We will miss our friend and dad but are greatful to have had and known him for the time that we did. I am a better person for having known Jim; I learned patience and acceptance from him. It wasn't always easy, but most worthwhile things don't come easy.

Jim is missed by his 4 children, Eric, Nichole, Sara and Jake. They will carry on in the typical Jim fashion. He was fiercely proud of his brood and so am I.

Right now Jim's ashes are sitting under our Christmas tree until sometime this spring when he will be scattered on his land as he so often expressed his wish to be.

Thank you again, Bruce for a truly fitting tribute to a wonderful guy.