Dear Russell,
  You gave us the workplace which we could only dream of. You weren't just our boss, but our dear friend who gave us a chance and believed in us. We all come from different backgrounds and got a chance to work for you for longer and shorter time but we all agree - even this short time was a blessing for us, and let us build something more permanent than company - a micro zoo family consisting of a bunch of strangers.

  Oh we all MISS YOU! Even if it is sad now, it’s so uplifting watching people gathering together to comfort each other with loss - because there is a huge gap to fill as you had such an impact on everybody.

  We will always remember your characteristic laugh, your and Leah family discussions, your dog's voice dubbing, long emails ending “...”, very characteristic and patterned shirts and  singing in the office (especially'' Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables). Dreams and big projects were a big part of your personality, because without your visions, we would never create and get experience for our future career. It was always such a pleasure to talk about musicals, movies, animation, art, culture, books and food, you were such a treasure of knowledge.

The one thing which I personally never forget is that you used to drink Earl Gray Tea with a bit of sugar and milk - I always make the worst drinks (like an abomination of the greatest English tradition), but you never said bad thing when I made you a tea- you always drank it bravely till the end. You also allowed me to bring my traditional food and try it on the rest of the staff (everybody was alive - I’m definitely not Gordon Ramsay).

We were all connected by work, but despite that we could always count on you in our private tragedies. You were so kind - sometimes too kind, but your presence in our life made the world a bit of a better place which we are all grateful for.

Thank you for everything, we hope you will rest in peace.
Beata, Bobbie, Holly, Hamza

Ps. I hope now somebody is making you better tea.