Neal B. Greene

October 25th, 2017

I am so sorry to just hear about Neal. He was a wonderful man and I saw that through a compassionate act he did for one of his La-Z-Boy customers. I just sent off a note to one of company’s key executives, Kathy Leibmann, sharing the following and it’s now posted on the La-Z-Boy Facebook page. I regret I didn’t complete it while he was still around, but I hope it be a blessing to the family. My condolences to all his family and friends. The world is missing a kind and compassionate man. Here’s the letter I just sent off not knowing that Neal had passed.

Kathy,

I am sending you this email to make sure that one of your store managers is recognized at the highest levels of your company for his excellent and compassionate customer service. Having worked in management for a Fortune 100 company for over 25 years I know that this information unfortunately doesn’t always get to the top so I’ve decided to write you a personal note which is long overdue.

Neal Greene, the store manager at the Gurnee, Illinois store was very instrumental in helping a 96-year old woman be comfortable in her final weeks during her home hospice care. The details are presented below and I’ve just posted them on your La-Z-Boy Facebook page. Customer service is a rare commodity these days. Companies spend a fortune to build their brand and want their customers to have a positive experience. Neal has provided my wife and I with such great customer service that we will never forget it. He is an example of the type of front line staff I assume that your company wants and he exemplifies the best ambassador for your brand. I hope that this note to you will be forwarded on to other key executives in your company and that Neal will receive the appropriate recognition.

Below is the review I placed on Facebook.

Earlier this year, my wife and I were helping a 96-year old woman from our church who had just entered home hospice. Her old recliner wasn’t comfortable for her as she spent both day and night in it and it didn’t raise her legs high enough to keep fluids from building up. Her son came to town and went and purchased her a new La-Z-Boy recliner, at her request, but it wasn’t a good fit for a woman in her condition (not a lift chair and small control buttons on the side). He just didn’t realize her specific needs having lived away for so long. After he went back home she told me she wasn’t comfortable. It had been almost two weeks.

I went and spoke to Neal Greene, the store manager at the Gurnee, IL store where the original purchase was made. He promised to help her out by taking back the one just purchased. With his help we were able to get her a chair that she loved. Neal worked with my wife and I to find her the PERFECT chair for her specific needs. He had the old one picked up and delivered the new one at no additional cost. She loved it and it made her so comfortable during her last weeks. She never had the opportunity to personally write Neal a thank you note but made sure that I went to tell him of her appreciation.

After she died she passed it along to an elderly friend who had never had a recliner in her life. She had just had knee surgery and the chair was perfect for her. So Neal helped two older women by helping select the best La-Z-Boy chair either one could have asked for.

Today it’s not unusual to see poor customer service where ever you go. Many will only do what is “required” and not an iota more. Neal not only went beyond what I would call excellent customer service, but he also demonstrated an empathy and compassion for the customer’s needs. That is truly rare. He is an outstanding individual and I hope the company recognizes his value.

I would recommend that anyone in the area go to La-Z-Boy in Gurnee, IL. A great company and an even greater employee – Neal Greene. Thank you.

Regards,

Mike

~Mike Lorence
~Customer from La-Z-Boy, Round Lake Beach, IL

September 1st, 2017

I will always cherish my time spent with Neal. Even though he was never my store manager, I would talk and see him almost as much as I did my own. He would put a smile on my face no matter how stressed I was or when I had my own health issues. He would always make sure I stayed positive and would give me short life lessons. I would call the Gurnee store with questions I knew only he would know the answers to and when he called the Glenview store he would ask me if I was the Glenview Answering Service because every time he called I would answer. I loved when he would help at our VIPs because he always had the biggest smile and made sure he made every customer felt welcome. His positive spirit, his willingness to help and his loving attitude will be with me for the rest of my life. Thank you Neal for everything and as he would always tell me “No…. thank you. It was a pleasure.”

~Elana Zussman
~Coworker of La-Z-Boy, Buffalo Grove, IL

September 1st, 2017

Dear, NEAL! THANK YOU for being such an AMAZING, WONDERFUL, BRIGHT P E R S O N! YOU have touched mine and all hearts of my family members and left Your “beautiful signiture” there FOREVER! YOU ARE MISSED…

~Kat
~Friebd, Round Lake, Il

September 1st, 2017

Neal brother you will be missed. Neal a thorough Gentleman and was more like a brother to me. Cannot forget the time driving with you to QBR ‘s , Meeting in Monroe and RMHC lunch cook outs. Neal was fun loving, and had a great sense of humor. Your memories will always be with us. May God Bless His Soul , Give strength and courage to his wife Rhoda.
Rest In Peace my brother.

~Umesh Chaudhry
~Friend, Colleague, Reno , NV

August 31st, 2017

Rhoda,

It is with deepest condolences that I write my memory of your dearly beloved husband. Neal was a friend that will never be replaced. He was a mentor, a great boss, and a dear friend. My life will never be the same because of the kindness and friendship that he extended to me. I am so sorry that I was not able to join you to honor his extraordinary life and legacy. Alav Ha-Sholom

One of the lasting reminders of Neal, that will remain with me my entire life, is a gift that he gave me when I bought my house. I came into work and he handed me a small silver box. Inside the box was the most beautiful mezuzah I had ever seen. I burst into tears of joy and thanked him for this most special gift. He explained that both of you had picked out this most thoughtful gift for my new home. He said that it would ensure that I was always blessed in whatever dwelling I inhabit. I will always treasure that very thoughtful and special gift. It will serve as a reminder of both of you and the extension of your love and kindness.

May the Almighty comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

~Robert Whitehurst
~Friend, Ames, Iowa

August 31st, 2017

Dear Neal, thank You so much for being such a wonderful, amazing and unforgettable brite Person, who touched hearts of all my family members! You have left Your “beautiful signiture” in our lives and will be always remembered!

~Kat
~Friend, Round Lake, Il

August 31st, 2017

Rest in peace my dear friend.

You will be missed.

Brenda

~Brenda
~Friend, Twin Lakes, Wi.

August 31st, 2017

My deepest sympathies to Neal’s family. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Neal was always a delight to cross paths with and he will, no doubt, be missed by all who shared even a small part of life with him.

~Lindsay Cathers
~Co-Worker, Monroe, MI

August 31st, 2017

To our Manager, our problem solver, our teacher, and friend. Thank you for believing. Regardless of circumstance, you always had faith. Faith in your life, faith in your work, and faith in the people who surrounded you. Thank you for your laughter, for your random life facts, and for your willingness to solve any problem with a smile.
Today and forever in are hearts, We are Greene

~Katrina Woolrige
~Friend, Fox Lake

August 31st, 2017

Dear Neal,
I will miss you, my friend.
Your friend,
Linda
XOXO

~Linda O’Brien
~Friend, Lake Villa

August 31st, 2017

To Neal,
Many people touch our lives in positive ways. Your joyful approach to each day is what I remember best. You were the bright spot on cloudy days; you never judged or criticized, and your goal was always “get it done today and learn for tomorrow”. The stories and perspectives you shared are legendary. My most memorable was questioning you when you mentioned your “beautiful bride”. Unknowing, I asked if you were recently married. Who knew you’d shared decades together??! That joke and bit of humor was definitely on me! You will truly be missed. For all of us at the MWDC, heartfelt condolences to your family.

~Karen Thompson
~Co-Worker, Bolingbtook IL

August 31st, 2017

My deepest condolences to Rhoda as well as her and Neal’s family. I know what a great loss Neal’s passing must be. Neal’s great contributions to the lives of all people who live and have lived in our condominium will always be remembered, never forgotten. I know we had our tough times at the beginning, but I soon learned how skilled Neal was in leading the Condo association, and grew to appreciate the time and effort he put into it. And how fair-minded and just he was. I will never forget and always think fondly of him……..

~Paul Yamauchi
~fellow Condo Board member and neighbor, Skokie, Illinois

August 30th, 2017

I will never forget you my friend. You were more than my friend, more thanmy co-worker, and more than my inventory partner. You were more like a Brother to me than any friend I have had in the past or will ever have. I know you said “look on right shoulder and I will be there”. I will always remember that for the rest of the life. Thank you for the stories, the laughter, and your friendship and brotherhood. Love your Brother Steve.

~Steve Jurczyk
~Friend, Des Plaines, IL