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Sad news to report

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/18/2015 : 21:35:44

This has been a tough day and will be a tough Christmas. We lost 2 cousins last night. The son of one of my first cousins, a Navy pilot and instructor, had flown in his personal 2-seater aircraft from Meridian, MS to Florida to pick up the granddaughter of another first cousin to give her flying lessons over Christmas break. They were returning to Meridian last night when the air control folks lost contact with them near Tallahassee. Authorities found the wreckage and both bodies this morning in an area of dense trees. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. Both will be missed very much!

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2015 : 05:11:57

That is awful news ANY time, and especially bad at this time of the year ... 'so sorry for your loss.

Buzz Maring

~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68
Lake Dallas, TX

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2015 : 10:20:06

Awful! The holidays seem like a magnet for tragedy... An in-law relative of my lady fell down some stairs, broke her neck, and died yesterday. My wife went from the hospital to hospice the day after Christmas, and died on New Years Day (11 years ago).

If nothing else, it puts the holidays (and life) into a different perspective. Cherish everyone you have!

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage before going over to the Dark Side (2007-2025); now boatless for the first time since 1970 (on a Sunfish).

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2015 : 13:03:11

Update: The news is all over Darien, CT (where we lived for 25 years and is my lady's home). Jamie Swiggart was a high school classmate of my lady's youngest son, and an EMT in the Darien EMS organization that both of my daughters were also involved in (some years earlier). People here, and I'm sure his DHS classmates all over, are shocked and saddened.

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2015 : 14:51:39

Thanks for all of your kind words. Everyone in the family here is still in a bit of a state of shock over it. This past July 4th Jamie flew up to TN and gave cousins a ride in the plane. They will have fond memories to cherish. There have been numerous comments of support on various family members' Facebook pages. Dave, thanks especially for the info from your home front.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1803 Posts

Response Posted - 12/19/2015 : 17:19:01

Dave:

OMG -- Jamie was a classmate of my eldest daughter and his mother was the past Commodore (and very active member of) the Darien Sail and Power Squadron -- had not heard, but thanks for sharing/informing

Peter Bigelow
PO - C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 12/20/2015 : 16:47:19

Amazing how small this world is!

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2015 : 05:30:54

DavidP... such losses are a hard thing. Wishing your whole family the best as they grieve.

Dave B...I remember your loss and the pain I sensed that it inflicted.

Most of us have been there or will be there, so we share in such losses.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

N/E Texas and Great Lakes
Arlyn's Sailing Site

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4035 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2015 : 07:46:40

quote:
Awful! The holidays seem like a magnet for tragedy.

Yes, It does seem that way. My father past away on Christmas morning 2yrs ago so now I have mixed feelings about the holiday. I'm Very sorry for your tragic loss.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2015 : 08:05:08

Arlyn, it was painful. But for every great pair, one will end up alone--it's unbelievable when it actually happens, but we had time to get ready, if there is such a thing. All things being relative, I think a sudden, unexpected loss is harder on the survivors--no preparation, no time to say good bye...

This Christmas will be difficult for at least two extended families I know of. I feel for everyone involved.

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2015 : 08:53:26

quote:
Originally posted by Stinkpotter

Arlyn, it was painful. But for every great pair, one will end up alone--it's unbelievable when it actually happens, but we had time to get ready, if there is such a thing. All things being relative, I think a sudden, unexpected loss is harder on the survivors--no preparation, no time to say good bye...

This Christmas will be difficult for at least two extended families I know of. I feel for everyone involved.

I agree. Like you, I lost a wife in '91 that I was very close to but we both knew she wasn't going to grow old and were mentally prepared somewhat.

The day after school was out last spring, my wife's son was killed by a distracted driver. He was 39, father of four minor children, a school teacher/coach and an amazingly talented and dynamic man who left a huge hole in his family, his school and his community. The unexpected suddenness was to say it mildly, traumatic. I personally am just getting over the numbness to the point of seeing the way ahead.

Often it is not just the loss, but the changes (often difficult) that are forced due to the loss. So, when all that suddenly impacts... it's tough. My best holiday wishes to all and special wishes for those who have an empty spot this season.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

N/E Texas and Great Lakes
Arlyn's Sailing Site

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2015 : 21:48:32

What really makes this tough is that we went through almost the exact same loss in 1987, however with an automobile instead of an airplane, luckily with no passenger in the car. It was on Christmas day and my son from my first marriage, age 17 and our only child together, was driving from our family's Christmas Day party at my parents' home to his mother's family party and to spend the night. It was a little snowy with slick streets, and he never made it there. He somehow drifted into the other lane on a 2-lane road(lighting a cigarette, fiddling with the radio, distracted by Christmas lights, who knows?) and hit a minivan head-on. They performed CPR on him in the ambulance and got his heart pumping again but he never regained consciousness.
I had a very hard time dealing with Christmas for several years, and sometimes still do. This brings it all back to the front burner again. I will try very hard to be there for him if my cousin reaches out to me to talk.
Posting here helps me think it through. Thanks for "listening".

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Edited by - dmpilc on 12/21/2015 21:51:32

Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 12/23/2015 : 08:00:02

Very sorry to hear about your loss. My heart felt prayers are with you and your family. God Is Great.

Safe voyages,
Ben
sloop Chick-a-pea,
C250wk#364

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