At first glance, The Geary Company office on a recent afternoon looked the same as it always has. Half-brothers Jim McKusick and Dan Geary busily worked at their computers between meetings. Their 19-year-old nephew Kevin Geary caught up on accounting work at his desk while he ate lunch. Sepia-toned photos of their father and the company's founder, Richard Geary, adorned the walls.

What was missing was the fun, upbeat manner of the advertising agency's vice president and co-owner, Mike Geary.