Words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude that we as an entire company have for the privilege of knowing and working with Namana. Namana knew and believed deeply in the importance of his work. He knew his work and the work of his team was contributing to making the world a better place. What is more remarkable is that he remembered and exemplified this each day, and approached each day and each new challenge as an opportunity to make things better. Namana worked in an environment where most deadlines seemed unreasonable, where most challenges seemed insurmountable, and where failure was simply not an option. To most of us this leads to feelings of stress and chaos. Namana approached everything with a steady calmness – a serenity. To him, these challenges led to feelings of optimism and possibilities.
Namana's character exemplifies what we each strive to become each day. He was kind, thoughtful, centred and respectful. He never compromised his values. He valued his teammates and truly respected them. He managed to stay positive in overwhelmingly stressful situations. He would do anything and everything for his teammates without regard to himself, and did so regularly. His level of commitment combined with his extremely high level of technical competence earned him the highest levels of respect and trust of his team, his customers and other external members of the industry. When Namana said he would look after something, the rest of us all breathed easier. He always led by example, and when it comes to character, we can't think of a better example to follow.
Over the incredible four year period that we had the good fortune to be with Namana, he enriched so many of us in so many ways. His examples of character and competence will live on with each of us that knew and loved him.
Friends and Colleagues at Dominion Voting Systems
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Words from some of Namana’s friends at Dominion Voting Systems:
Namana was one of the extremely rare people who never had anything negative to say about anyone, and about whom nobody ever had anything negative to say. He was selfless and always eager to help in any way he could. We have lost not only a model colleague and friend, but a model human being. My heart goes out to his family, as the loss for them is even greater. This is truly a tragedy and a very sad day for all who knew him. He will be dearly missed.
Chris Iskander
Toronto Office
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He was my very good friend and sweetest guy to work with. Soft spoken and ever ready to help. Every time I called him from Wyle, he was ready to help and resolve the problem. I will miss him very much. Dominion has lost a family member.
Aamer Chaudhry
Toronto Office
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I had the privilege of being a teammate of Namana since his very first day at our company. He brought dedication, confidence, optimism and intelligence to everything his did. He had tremendous patience, awareness, and faith which made him excel in his profession. Nearly a thousand fixes and ideas for improvements were created by Namana. These are now essential parts of fair and accurate elections around the world, and millions of people depend on what he contributed. The imprint of this work will always remain, and a big part of Namana is contained in the voting devices he helped build.
I know his personal qualities were part of everything he did. I knew him as a man with a big heart, and feel lucky to have had him as friend and colleague. Namana was obviously a deeply loved family member and valued friend to many. My condolences and thoughts are with those of you at this difficult time.
I will remember him as an example of what people should strive to achieve. I will be reminded of him often, and will greatly miss him.
James Hoover
Toronto Office
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I never met a man more centred or peaceful. Ever ready to listen, to help and to smile.
All who knew him will grieve the loss. May we keep his spirit alive within us.
Reed Bodwell
Toronto Office
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Namana was a dear co-worker and friend who was the epitome of kindness and respect. Prior to leaving for Virginia, we spoke about the ocean and the beaches. Namana indicated to me that his favourite thing to do was to swim. No matter how cold the water was, he said he always enjoyed being in the water. Namana joked that he would encourage his family and friends to swim with him but most found the water too chilly and they would only walk in up to their ankles while he enjoyed swimming out further. I just wanted to share this point that he was doing something that he loved before he was taken from our lives.
We can and should try to exude the same love and kindness that Namana did in his daily life.
Steve Papoulias
Toronto Office
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Namana was a great friend and mentor. When I started at Dominion, I did not know anything about software development or QA. He took a chance on me and he taught me, and many others here, everything we know.
Namana was one of the kindest people I have ever met--sometimes to a fault. He would take the team out for lunch and pay from his own pocket. If you needed time off for a personal reason, you didn't have to ask twice. That's the kind of man he was.
We will all miss him greatly. I am in utter shock and I do not know how to deal with what I am feeling right now.
My heart goes out to his wife and his parents.
Xenofon Marangos
Toronto Office
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As we all have our plates full these days, Namana took the time out of his busy schedule to help me prepare demo units for Colombia last week.
Never saw the stress of our work get to him.
I'm truly saddened and shocked.
Victor Vasquez
Toronto Office
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Namana was a wonderful person, manager, coworker, friend, husband. As many of you have pointed out, Namana never expressed negative emotions. Always positive, ready to help, capable of understanding every situation, every personality. As his direct manager I know we have lost a great Dominion family member. As his friend I know we have lost a great person. One of our best.
Here in Europe we will always remember our office and work related adventures with Namana, but much more will remember time spent with Namana outside the office. His jokes. His positive thinking. His optimism. He was a great guy. We will miss him a lot.
This shocking and tragic news put tears in our eyes. Our hearts and thoughts are with his wife and his family.
On behalf of Belgrade Team
Goran Obradovic
Belgrade Office
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Namana and I just started to get to know each other over this past week in Richmond, VA. Over dinner he talked about his family, his history and some of the things he wanted to see and do. He said he was glad that he had the experience of this state certification as it gave him ideas on how he could improve testing. He had a warm and caring heart, and always a kind word. I had looked forward to working with him again, sharing more stories and becoming friends. As we arrived back at the hotel Thursday evening, he informed me of his plans to visit a nearby friend. We said our goodbyes, wished each other well and parted. I couldn’t have imagined that would be the last time I would see him.
I am shocked and sad over the news of his death. My heart goes out to his wife and family and to those who knew him well. He will be greatly missed by all.
Ian Piper
Denver Office
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We are all shocked and very sad here in Mongolia. Thanks to him I got to understand better our product. We have lost in my opinion, a great person and one of the most dedicated workers in our family.
Alex Soto-Vasquez
Toronto Office
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Namana was the calm and gentle voice who always made time usually when I needed it the most in implementing the Louisiana ICC and EED systems.. I am sorry that I had only begun to get to know him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family. We have lost someone very special.
Cheryl Holmes
Denver Office
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Dear Namana,
I will never forget our first days in QA, when there were just a few of us in the team. How you made me proud when you created your first ballot, how we talked everyday, trying to solve every election problem together; chocolates and fruity gums that you were bringing to work; how you wanted to surprise me and visit me, while I was on a maternity leave, the first time you visited Belgrade. And above all, I will never forget your smiley eyes!
Rest in peace, my dear friend!
Masha Boshan
Belgrade Office
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As my manager, Namana was a very positive, calm and a helpful person. Namana was very motivated and an encouraging boss to work with. It is very difficult to absorb that he is no longer with us. My true prayers are with Namana's soul and his family to be in peace.
Nirthicaa Nalenthiran
Toronto Office
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We are all shocked and very sad here in Belgrade. Namana was good manager but above all very positive and kind person. We’ll cherish time spent with him in and out of the office. We got to know him better during his visits to Belgrade when he made great impression on us. We wish we could spend more time with him. This is a tremendous loss for all of us. We have lost great colleague and dear friend.
Our hearts and thoughts go out to his wife and family.
On behalf of Belgrade QA Team
Milos Despotovic
Belgrade Office
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Like everyone else over this weekend I was shocked and saddened to hear of Namana’s passing. Our Dominion family has lost not only a knowledgeable, key person in QA but a wonderful individual and a friend to everyone who knew him.
I worked with Namana during my early days at Dominion in supporting a Monroe County Primary election. We stayed at the same hotel but were stationed in different parts of the county. I remember that day I had one of the worst head colds I had in years and really had a difficult time functioning let alone resolving any machine issues. My head was so stuffed that thinking was a major undertaking. Whenever I called Namana for help he was so kind and understanding and always gave me the right information to resolve the issue. I remember at the end of the day how grateful I was to have Namana’s help. Looking back I guess it could be said that Namana provided me the right dose of “Election Day Chicken Noodle Soup” to help me get through the day.
Whenever I visited Toronto, Namana always had a warm, friendly smile on his face and it was a pleasure knowing him and calling him my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with Namana, his wife and his family during this difficult time.
Jim Alexander
New York Office
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I first met Namana in 2008 and I learned then that he and I were starting our careers Dominion, together. From the very first time we met, and every time after that, whether in the office, in passing, or onsite, he always greeted with a smile. His demeanour and approach were always comforting despite the tension, the pressure, or any lack of confidence that surrounded him, and he prevailed. He was a role model not only to his reports but to his peers and his silent confidence and dedication were inspirational.
I will always remember Namana for his kindness and positive outlook. He was a great colleague and friend and he will be missed by many. I pray for his family through this difficult time and I send my deepest sympathies.
Gio Costantiello
Toronto Office
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Recognizing Namana's kindness and professionalism we became good friends at work. Namana had made my work more enjoyable.
For the past few days I'd refused to accept he's leaving. But, after seeing John's message I realize that Namana and I will not be working together shoulder to shoulder anymore.
If I had the opportunity to see him the last time at his service, I'd have said to him" buddy, let's finish the Mongolia election together and go for dim sum at Toronto Chinatown. And please bring your guys Xen and Liam along."
So long pal,
Danny Chiu
Toronto Office
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I had the pleasure of meeting Namana on a business trip to the Toronto office. We did not have a lot of contact but you knew the name. You would hear ‘confirm that with Namana’. This spring he assisted with troubleshooting projects that I am assigned to. I quickly learned how much respect our fellow co-workers have for Namana. His willingness to help was a true asset. He was so kind, intelligent and open to share his knowledge to resolve the issues. He treated everyone like an old friend. I wish I had the opportunity to work with him on other projects to learn more. His passing is a tremendous loss to the Dominion family and he will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with Namana’s family. We all have a special angel watching over us all.
Kate Bolger
New York Office