rather than taking the cursory handshake and trying to catch the skittish eyes , gene wanted to grab hold of these judging mourners , give them a firm and lasting handshake , share a few moments of bonhomie and with a generous sweep of his hand point them to the buffet table laden with platters of chicken sate and shrimp , or buffalo wings and shrimp , or cajun tenders and shrimp and the beer and wine being dispersed by matt and mike , or jeremy , john , sean or liam whose names he knew because knowing names , remembering names and faces , is one of the things that he did so well .