Lost a good one yesterday
 

Lost a friend I've known since 1973. Brain cancer. Just completely, totally random, 53 years old, healthy lifestyle and a 10 year old son who just doesn't understand why this is happening. (Him and me both). :(

This guy was like a human Golden Retriever, not a mean bone in his body. Was a champion swimmer and tennis player in HS, as All-American as you've ever seen. Became more of a granola hippy guy in adulthood but was honest, hardworking and humble as the day is long.

His younger brother is one of my closest friends on earth. They are in Minnesota and I talk to his brother several times a week. He called me Weds. night and told me that he just found out that Rich was going to go in the next 48 hours and he and their dad were going out to the hospice the next morning. My iphone rang on the freeway yesterday, when I saw that it was him I almost did not answer. When I did, he told me that his brother died at 1PM and he was holding his hand.

Anyhow...sometimes life does not tickle and this is one of those times. There is no deeper philosophical meaning to it, no silver lining anywhere. A good man has been removed from the population. RIP Rich Wilson.

Very sorry Denis. Godspeed

God speed indeed. Death serves as a reminder to the living to actually live their lives rather than just passing time.

I, too, am 53 years old, and I have a beautiful 10 year old daughter. Yesterday I went to a 1-year mass for a friend who left behind a 10-year old daughter.

I will not complain about anything today.

Unfortunately this happens more and more as we get older. Never gets easier either...

Sorry for your loss...

My condolences on the loss of your friend, Denis.

So sorry to hear this. Seems like there is no rhyme or reason to life. It just happens.

+1

Heartbraking turn of events. There are simply no words.

Turning 53 next week. Lost a friend of a friend a few weeks back also from a brain tumor....Glioma. He was in sales and spent lots of time with a cell phone held to his ear. No way to know if there was any connection, but you've got to wonder. Happening too often these days.

God speed.

Lost and Uncle to brain cancer at 54. He was a doctor and had the best treatments you could get. Cancer sucks.

So true...there a friends, then there are "close buddies". Four of my "close buddies" are no longer with us. It hurts. Soon enough, it'll be my turn. Seems I read the obits of people I was in school with more & more often these days.

Knowing you Denis, I can only imagine how hard this is for you...your post reflects your values so well.

Remember, please, life does tickle as well...

Very sorry and sad story.

Normally I wouldn't talk of this especially on a forum but its sort of a therapy. I lost a friend like this in his 40's.... family man. Was golfing one day complaining of a headache and two weeks later was gone. Yet I have another friend who's wife has had three brain surguries from cancer tumors... she's a miracle and doing well today. This last year for me has especially shocked me. Two related and two friends diagnosed with other types of cancer. One lost. Three battling and of those, my sister is a miracle and case study. Too deep to discuss here.

Cherish our days.

Sorry for your loss, Denis. Your friend sounds like a GREAT guy.

I too shall complain of nothing today but instead count my many blessings (including the good people on this site).

angela

Sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear about your friend Denis. My condolences and best wishes for his family and you.
Regards,
Sandy

Rip

That's very true.
Sorry for your loss speeder. that's a tough one.

R.i.p.

Thanks all. Some times it seems like the mean people never die young, this guy was truly exceptional. I'm going to appreciate his brother all the more, (whom I already appreciate), they are somewhat similar. His brother is a little more like me, might have thrown a punch or two in HS, Rich was like Ghandi. Just extraordinary.

Thanks again.