Sam Ferrainola, the former director of the Glen Mills School, died Saturday. Over the course of 32 years, he took a beat-up reform school for boys and turned it into an educational powerhouse and a model for how delinquent behavior in boys should be addressed. He was a giant in his field.

He was one of the more interesting people I have ever met. He was smart, cagey, funny, and charming. He was also combative, vindictive, ruthless and demanding.

He had his flaws as a leader and a man but they were miniscule compared to his talents and his accomplishments. (You can read more about those here.)

He was a mentor, a teacher and a friend.