Passing of a good man

Everything else
1

We got home from the hospital after my wife’s cardiac incident this weekend, and then this morning we got a call - a good friend of ours, only 60 years old, in good shape, collapsed and died of a heart attack this morning. Ironically, he was doing his morning workout on the treadmill when he died.

I just wanted to say that professed Christians get a bad name these days, many times deservedly so, as finger pointing hypocrites. The pharisees that Jesus himself intensely attacked. My friend Jerry was what a Christian is supposed to be. What a good man is supposed to be. He truly loved and cared for his fellow man, not for his own personal gain, but because he truly cared.

A good example, one of many. A couple of years ago he ran across a homeless man the day before Thanksgiving. He not only stopped to talk with the man, he fed him, took him to get some clothes, took him to a shelter that a friend of his runs, but then he took the step of love that most of us (myself included) would not do: he invited him to his home for Thanksgiving dinner. For most of us, Thanksgiving is a time of friends and family. It was for Jerry also, but he talked with his family and they agreed on this. This homeless man, a older (60s) marine veteran who had come on hard times and had no family, could not believe that he was truly being invited to a family Thanksgiving dinner, and was in tears as he sat at the table and ate with them, and then sat in the den afterward and engaged in conversation with them just like any normal person. Was it uncomfortable for Jerry and his family? Sure, at first, but they wanted to show this guy the kind of love and acceptance he’d not experienced for many years. It was the first step - eventually (not without some slips) he got a job, with Jerry’s help, and a small apartment, and when I left that town this man had a new life, and was considered a true friend of Jerry and his family. Jerry’s church also took him in and the congregation became a new loving, non-judgemental family to him.

That’s just one small example of how Jerry lived his life. The world would be a far better place if there were more people like Jerry who was far more concerned about loving and helping his fellow man than he was in self centered pursuits.

Anyway, Jerry is one of those guys who reminds me of the quote that life is what happens all around us while we worry about tomorrow. He really made the most of each day, and the number of lives he touched were probably far more than even he realized. We’ll miss him, but it’s hard to mourn such a wonderful life.

2

My condolences Jeff. Sounds like a good man indeed, and a great friend.

3

I’m really sorry to hear that, jeff.

As someone who’s lost a friend recently in an unexpected fashion as well, I kind of know how you feel, though it seems like Jerry was a person to really look up to.

4

Thanks guys. Like I said, we’ll miss him, but those of us who knew him are all smiling and laughing as we exchange “Jerry Stories” of all of his unselfish acts. :)

5

It is easy to forget, especially given the “if it bleeds it leads media”, that there are many many good solid people in this country and in this world. The fact that you felt the need to share this person with us shows just how far his impact will be felt, and how important even unheralded individuals can be.

6

His story made me tear a little. I wouldn’t mind hearing more Jerry stories of unselfish acts. God knows we need more stories like those, to inspire more men like him.

7

Here’s to a life fully lived.

Sorry for your loss.

8

Condolences and agreed on the fact that the good ones get a bum rap based on the hypocritically, looney few. Here’s to him.

9

Sorry to hear that. He does sound like someone I aspire to be more like, irrelevant of faith.

10

Sorry Jeff. He really does sound like a great person.

11

My condolences on your loss, Jeff. Your description of Jerry reminds me of two of my grandparents, who also were deeply religious & compassionate, rather than condemning.

12

Sounds like he had 60 great years. It’s a share that he couldn’t have 60 more.

13

I don’t have much to add, except that men like him seem to be in rare supply these days. I’m sorry to hear of his passing.

14

Yeah, condolences, Jeff. But it does sound like he lived the kind of life that you can’t feel too bad about.

15

My father-in-law died at 59 of a heart attack and everyone loved him. I do try to keep in mind that he lived a good life, but when there are so many people who suck who live to be 80, it just doesn’t seem right.

16

Sorry to see that Jeff. Way too early for a good person like that.

17

Funeral is Saturday, in Michigan. Kinda cool, his widow (a wonderful woman herself) has been overwhelmed because suddenly there are so many people wanting to be there that they have to find a different venue for the funeral!

And a very touching moment: the homeless guy I spoke of mentioned to his wife that he wished Jerry was 30 feet tall so they could have enough pallbearers for him to be one. And Jerry’s wife told him that she would be honored if he would be one of the six.

So Jerry will go out the same way he lived his life: making some less fortunate soul feel wanted and loved and significant. Ain’t that cool? :)

18

It’s always too early for someone like that.

On the bright side, someone like that has made the most of their time on Earth. That’s worth quite a lot.

19

This bloke sounds kind of like James Keenan’s mum in how he lived his life.

Here’s the song : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-0rLI6-skQ
Here’s the lyrics so you can read along to the story: http://toolshed.down.net/lyrics/10kdayslyrics.php#04

Sorry for your loss though mate. Keep your chin up.