"Only the good die young."
To new members; When you hear of someone's passing, the superlatives fly loose and easy about how great the person was and on and on. Well, in Terry's case, every superlative is actually true. I know this because I was lucky enough to spend a week-end in his company in Canton. A walking, living, saint, not a bad word about anyone, genuinely interested in your life, instant friendship, a reassuring arm around the shoulder or a palm on the back. I loved this guy.
I walked into the Vacuum convention never having met anyone from AW/VAC. I was alone and nervous. Terry came right up and hugged me, invited me to meet him later for a drink at the hotel bar where his offer of friendship was so warm and honest that you felt you knew this first class guy all your life. And my God, he was a first-class guy!
A little later he invited me to eat at the table of his close friends who are in both clubs. This kind of generosity and consideration are so unusual, but you know what? Terry would do this for ANYONE. He loved everyone and was good to everyone. You talk about Christ-like, well, move over, Jesus!
To everyone: Did you ever realize that he has never published a harsh word toward anyone EVER. Not one word, not one syllable, not one time. If you were waiting for him to bad mouth someone, you'd wait forever. Such character, such moral decency. A model and an example of decency that humbles us all and whose memory we can most honor by imitating his qualities, right here, every day. How he'd love that.
Terry was the heart of AW/VAC, and our hearts are broken. Terry is irreplaceable.
To Terry: I loved you, my good man, and the next plane of existence is glittering with your presence. I am so sorry I haven't contacted you. You have been on my mind very much since Christmas. Oh.... if only. But now I can pray to you and visit you in the spiritual realm. I hope to see you tonight.
Love,
Mike. No link, blurry-eyed, I hit a key and can get it off. Typical. [this post was last edited: 1/26/2012-21:02]
http://"Only the good die young."