Remembering Two Who Have Left Us

It's always sad when we lose a friend- but when two friends have passed on so close together, it is indeed double the sadness.

First, a little over a week ago, we got the news that Magoo Gelehrter had left us after a long battle with cancer. Magoo, the husband of Danielle - better know to  horror fans as new England horror hostess "Penny Dreadful"- was not only her partner in marriage, but also in the horror genre, as he played her werewolf co-host Garou.

I have never met either of the couple, but am familiar with their work, and have conversed with them via e-mail/Facebook messages. They both have been wonderfully warm and delightful friends- and, as we had followed the saga of Garou's fight with this hated affliction, we were always impressed by his courage and his positive energy- which, of course, Danielle shared, just as they shared everything in their lives. I had mistakenly thought that, recently, word had come  that Magoo had finished treatments and was actually recuperating- but, unfortunately- the information was incorrect, and he took his leave of this painful life.

The Rondo Awards committee very  appropriately presented Magoo /Garou with a special award just before his passing-the "Pure in Heart" award (you know, from  the old Wolf Man rhyme- "even a man who is pure in heart...")- to acknowledge this wonderful personality and his fine spirit- just as we now send Danielle our love and prayers- and will  keep Magoo alive in our hearts and memories.

And then- just last Saturday- we had another loss, even more close to home. We made the trip to McHenry, Il, for another visit to Al N Ann's Collectibles- a unique comic book and collectible shop we've visited a few times before, for a special Sven appearance celebrating the 20th anniversary of the store. The owner, Al Armstrong, a big friendly guy with a big sense of humor and an even bigger heart, had sent me an e-mail late Friday, advising me of some road construction we might run into on our way up. Even with the heads-up, we arrived just a little late for the appearance, and were met by Al's friend Kevin- who wanted to tell us something before we entered the store.

Al had unexpectedly passed away that morning.

Those words hit us like a ton of bricks. I must've stood in stunned silence for what seemed like forever as he explained  what had happened. He also said that we would go on with the appearance, since that was what Al would have wanted. If I understood correctly, only some of the staff knew at that point, and none of the customers would know. And so, with a heavy heart, it was "the show must go on"- and I had to be the usual happy silly Sven for all the folks who were lined up for the event- and, for my friend Al, I did my best to pull that off.

You could tell that the staff was made aware of the news- and yet, kept on, doing everything they could to take care of the customers. The most evident thing to me was that they all thought the world of Al, just as I did, and were doing all this for him and his family- heck, THEY are all part of his extended family.

I had known Al for well over ten years, and always enjoyed time spent with him. He was a good man, a good husband and father, a caring businessman who loved the comics and his customers, and enjoyed what he was doing. He made it through some unusual situations- like a car careening through the front of his store! Even though I didn't see him all the time, he was a good friend that I could pick up with immediately once we were back together. I will miss him, as will most anybody who ever had contact with him. I send my prayers and thoughts to his wife Ann and his wonderful family, the store staff, and all the customers who have been touched by this man's kind and generous spirit.

Please, Death- take a holiday. I don't want to lose anybody else.