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View Full Version : Well, I lost another friend today


BADRACR1
02-07-2019, 10:36pm
Got home from work today only to find that my friend and neighbor had passed. James Quinn lived across and to the left of me for the last fifteen years.
He was always coming over when I got another car to check it out and get the details. We spent many an evening either standing in my drive or sitting on his porch. A few years ago w had a series of tornadoes go through. Between the first and second one we were sitting on his porch, enjoying a cold one. Wind started picking up and we were observing the tree across swaying when suddenly it split and fell. I looked at him and said, "Guess I should head back across the street." He looked up and replied, "Give it a minute and it'll take you there." Quick witted.
James had retired many years ago. His doctor told him he needed to find some activities to stay busy. He told him he had activities. Every morning he got up, made a cup of coffee and went out on the porch to watch his neighbors go to work. Every evening he made a cup of coffee and went out on the porch and watched his neighbors come in from work. In between he piddled in the yard or cleaned his truck or bike.
He got up one morning a couple of years ago to find a sign in his front yard. He came over and asked me if I saw anyone messing around in his yard. I said no and asked why. He said someone had put a sign up without his permission. We walked over and it was from a neighborhood beautification group declaring his "Beautiful Yard of the Week". I said, "James, congrats. That's pretty cool." He seriously said, "They didn't ask me. I don't want no sign in my yard. Don't know who to call to get rid of the damn thing."
Every morning and every evening, rain or shine, he walked a couple of blocks down the street to check on an elderly lady who lived there. Her kids live out of town. He told me once he just didn't like the idea of her being there alone all the time.
James was 73 years old, although by his activity level one wouldn't know it. He did some project every day. His house was always impeccable and vehicles spotless.
His wife Shirley said they went outside this morning and he was going to clean the gutters. He propped the ladder up and climbed it, but came right back down. He told her he didn't feel well and thought he was going to be sick. She helped him over to the patio and they sat down. He said again he thought he would be sick, and began to have difficulty breathing. His brother just happened to stop by and they tried to get him into the house but he couldn't get up. She called 911 but in the few minutes it took paramedics to get there he was gone.
He was a great guy, a good friend, and a better neighbor couldn't be found.
I will miss him.
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simpleman68
02-07-2019, 10:42pm
Damn... very sad news. :sadangel:

Sounds like a hell of a guy and a real character.

Godspeed James
Scott

Antfarmer2
02-07-2019, 10:49pm
Prayers sent for all. :sadangel:

mrvette
02-08-2019, 4:54am
One of my friends from across the street passed on last fall/summer after being in hospital on and off for over a year.....same age group.....guess it happens to all of us.....:sadangel::shots:

86RAG
02-08-2019, 6:57am
Damn, seems like another good guy gone. Sorry for your loss :sadangel:

marrepka
02-08-2019, 7:14am
Sorry for your loss. :sadangel:

04 commemorative
02-08-2019, 7:54am
These days 70 is way too young...my mom passed at 70...sorry for your friends passing :sadangel:

BADRACR1
02-08-2019, 8:57am
These days 70 is way too young...my mom passed at 70...sorry for your friends passing :sadangel:

My Mom was 70 also. My Dad was only 61.

snide
02-08-2019, 9:30am
Sorry for your loss. :sadangel:

VITE1
02-08-2019, 10:06am
Sounds like a real great neighbor and all around nice guy. :sadangel:

Norm
02-08-2019, 10:27am
Sorry to hear, it's tough loosing good friends, my condolences.

StaticCling
02-08-2019, 11:25am
Sorry to hear, he sounded like a great person. RIP. :sadangel:

Black94lt1
02-08-2019, 12:54pm
So sorry for your loss :sadangel:

69camfrk
02-08-2019, 3:51pm
Man, that stinks. I definitely know how it feels to lose a close friend and neighbor. Hang in there.:sadangel:

tjfontaine
02-08-2019, 4:46pm
Oh man .... that is so sad ... looks like a nice guy - sorry for your loss may he RIP.