Advice/support to give colleague going through marriage breakdown?

[stripeybumpsmum]

Met a colleague today who completely floored me by responding to usual 'hey, how are you?' by saying he was splitting with wife. Clearly devastated. She is leaving for new partner. Two teenage kids (who will stay with him). He has recently lost a parent too.
Not close friends with colleague - kept in touch after previously working together - but concerned enough to offer support.

What's useful/not useful to say? Should mention I work in profession where I routinely deal with people an their problems so can do the professional response, just felt a bit useless with the personal bit - no personal experience to draw on.

What best to say/not say? Do/not do?

Have posted in Dadsnet section too.

TIA

[elastamum]

Just empahtise and offer a listening ear but only if you really want to and are going to. My ex has recently left me and the kids and there are a number of 'friends' who have offered support when they have no intention of following it up, some dont even have my phone number and have said they will call!
Not surprisingly they never do!!