Tuesday! Perfect timing. Yes, please tell him he holds a special place in my heart, that every time I’m reminded of him, I smile, and that I wish him a healthy and happy new year. I would be very happy if you would also tell him that I think he’s a grand man and that one day I hope I get the chance to meet him.
You might not want to say all this, so maybe just print it out and hand it to him. :)
I’ll tell him and watch his face turn red! (I ran into him at Costco a couple of weeks ago...that’s the kind of guy he is).