I'm in a state of shock. I found out this morning that my good buddy died of a heart attack on Monday. Totally unexpected, as he was in good health (or so it was thought). It was just a week earlier that we were together at a barbeque I had to celebrate the visit of a good friend of both of ours who has been living in San Diego for the last few years. Little did I know at the end of the evening that this was the last time we'd ever shake hands.

His name was Bror. He came to Canada at eight years of age or so from Sweden, didn't know a lick of English. He learned it fast and learned it well. Very smart guy. And the nicest guy you'd ever meet. Not a mean bone in his body. Two lovely children (boy-17, girl-15) that Bror and his wife have brought up to be fine, respectful kids.

I said to Bror's wife today that the sign of a good friend is one who you may not see too often, but when you do, it's like no time has passed. You just pick up where you left off the last time you were together.

At one point in our conversation, Bror's wife broke down and sobbed, "We were supposed to grow old together...". Man oh man, something like that just rips your heart out.

The intent of this thread isn't to solicit for condolences, no, I'll be fine in a while. The purpose of this thread is more to remind us all that we're only on this planet for a very short time. Make the most of it. Tell your friends and family how much they mean to you while you have the opportunity. It doesn't even have to be done with words, as a matter of fact it may even be best to do it with actions. Demonstrate how much you enjoy their company by being pleasant yourself to be around. You just never know when you'll not get another chance.

I'm very grateful I saw Bror last week. We had a good visit.

So long good buddy...

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-14-2009).]

Hate to hear that really. An acquaintance of mine (good friend to one of my best friends) died suddenly of a heart attach about a month ago. He jogged every day, was in good shape and was recently remarried (about 2 years ago) and happy. He was 45 years old. I was really surprised and it made me really depressed for a couple days. I still think about it.

I've recently started or tried to start enjoying life as best I can. I may (likely won't) live to see retirement but I don't want to bet on it. Life is always to short if it was a good life, its only when life is miserable that its not worth living anymore. So, now I'm trying to make it worth living and enjoy it while its here.

Your friend seemed like a great person. I hope his life somehow inspired others to be happy as well and live wonderful lives. There is no better legacy to leave than that...

Geezs, your scarring me; I'm nearing that age! Seriously, sorry to hear about your friend. I still haven't gotten over Trainman dying at the age 45.

Note to self: Life is short, tweak your Fiero and roll hard!

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"Life is too short to drive stock; tweak your Fiero"

[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 07-16-2008).]

quote Originally posted by madcurl: Note to self: Life is short, tweak your Fiero and roll hard!

dont roll as hard as i did in my vette. i died in the hospital a few times and suffered a traumatic brain injury. im very lucky to be here typing this......

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1987 Fiero GT built by my brother, merlot566jka, 3500 LX9 from 06 Malibu, WOT-TECH.com 1280 grind stage 3 cam, LS6 valve springs, 1227730 ECM conversion, Darrel Morse solid aluminum cradle mounts, Truleo headers modified to fit the 3500, 36# inectors, 70mm 4.3 throttle body adapted to 3500 intake, ported heads, upper and lower intakes, lightly polished, tcemotorsports.com crank trigger wheel, CenterForce dual friction clutch, Flowtech Afterburner muffler, 2.5" piping, cat deleted, EGR deleted, SinisterPerformance tuning, C6 Corvette exhaust tips. projected to be 35 MPG with a guesstimate of 250 hp to the wheels

Wise words, Patrick. And, although you didn´t solicit them, please accept my heartfelt condolences anyway.

Nick

Thanks for the words man, I am going to go hold my wife for awhile tonight.

Brad

Yeah, you just never know do you?

A girl I work with, she's only 36, found out about 3 weeks ago that she has lung cancer. It already moved to her brain.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend Patrick. He sounded like such a wonderful guy. My condolences to you and her and her family.

Take care.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: The intent of this thread isn’t to solicit for condolences, no, I’ll be fine in a while. The purpose of this thread is more to remind us all that we’re only on this planet for a very short time. Make the most of it. Tell your friends and family how much they mean to you while you have the opportunity. It doesn’t even have to be done with words, as a matter of fact it may even be best to do it with actions. Demonstrate how much you enjoy their company by being pleasant yourself to be around. You just never know when you’ll not get another chance.

A very true sentiment above.

I'm so terribly sorry for your loss Patrick

quote Originally posted by Patrick: ...The intent of this thread isn’t to solicit for condolences, no, I’ll be fine in a while. The purpose of this thread is more to remind us all that we’re only on this planet for a very short time. Make the most of it. Tell your friends and family how much they mean to you while you have the opportunity. It doesn’t even have to be done with words, as a matter of fact it may even be best to do it with actions. Demonstrate how much you enjoy their company by being pleasant yourself to be around. You just never know when you’ll not get another chance. ...

Patrick. I'm very sorry to hear about your friend.
It's something I think about from time to time.
I'm 51, and I do feel my own mortality whispering in my ear, from time to time.

quote Originally posted by madcurl: ...I still haven't gotten over Trainman dying at the age 45.

Ummm... WHAT?!
When?
How did I miss that?

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 07-16-2008).]

quote Originally posted by Raydar: Ummm... WHAT?! When? How did I miss that?

Trainman ( Tim Cruise) died in 2004 or so, but his death still haunts me. Tim died in his sleep on his office couch. He only posted here a couple of times (dial-up), but he's the person who got me back into Fieros otherwise I would have gotten a Viper. He put together #011's suspension and other components.

Madcurl.... PM sent.
(Sorry, everyone, for the hijack.)

Good advise Patrick. Let the ones you love know it while they are still alive. I'll add this also. Take care of yourself so you are around for the ones that love you. I started to exercise this year. (long overdue) I feel great. Better than I have in a long time. Make your time on earth last longer.

Jim

I understand what you're saying better than most, Patrick. My father and my uncle both died of heart attacks at the age of 52. Last Friday, I turned 52. I've been joking for several years that I only have X amount of time left, but it all stopped being a joke for me on Friday. Wise words....don't take anyone in your life for granted, and hold them close...because you never know when it might be the last time.

My condolences to your friend's family, and to you too, Patrick. I know what it's like to lose that kind of friend...

Condoleances .
It's always bad to loose a friend .

My condolences Patrick. I've been thankful a lot lately for my wife, family, and friends. Things like this reinforce that gratefulness. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for sharing and for reminding us of our mortality, and of the vaue of good friends.
Your friend would have been proud of your words.

Just to be contrairy, I see a lot of folks that are 80 + on a day to day basis, where Mom lives.
Old age isn't always something to look forward to either.
Failing health is 1 thing, sitting in 'park' till your time comes isn't to be looked forward to.
The saddest thing, I've seen reciently is when a couple moves into assisted living.
1 person is failing, the spouce ( although in fair shape) can't keep up.
More often than not, the healthier person, burns out before the more debilitated spouce?

For my own way of passing, a couple of 20 year old hard bodied hookers?

I just wanted to express my appreciation for the kind words you've all posted. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart.

It turns out my buddy died of an "aortic aneurysm". As it was explained to me by Bror's brother, basically there was a weakening in the wall of the aorta which allowed blood to build up and eventually rupture the artery. Totally unexpected.

Yesterday was tough. I was over at Bror's house to go over photographs for a video memorial I'll be putting together to be shown at or after the service. Of course his wife and children were there. Yes, it was a very difficult day...

RIP Bror and thank you for touching even my life.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Thanks for sharing and for reminding us of our mortality, and of the vaue of good friends. Your friend would have been proud of your words.

Yes, thanks Patrick, my condolences.

What a blessing it was for you to have such good final memories of your friend. Truly it is sad to lose someone at such an early age, but it sounds as if his memory will live on for quite some time.

It’s exactly a year ago today that my best friend, Bror, passed away. Still thinking of you, buddy...

The reason for this post isn’t just to pay my respects to Bror on the anniversary of his death, but to mention that I’m doing my best to bring his 18 year old son Mathew into the Fiero world.

I found out from Mathew’s mom that he’s been interested in getting a Fiero for some time now. When he was a little gaffer, I took him to hockey practice a few times in my first Fiero, probably about ten years ago. Unknown to me he’s harbored a desire for a Fiero ever since. What have I done!

So last month I took him to his first meeting at the local Fiero club, and I’m currently in search of a fastback GT with a manual tranny for him. When Mathew was at the meeting, club member John Carlo took Mathew for a quick toot around the neighborhood in his custom supercharged GT.



I could hear John “goose� the accelerator as they took off down the street. When they returned, Mathew was smiling from ear to ear. That was fun to see!

So the last year has been tough, but I’m hoping I can at least in small way make life a little more pleasant for my good buddy’s son. And what the heck, I’ll admit it... I’ve quite enjoyed sharing what I know about these silly little plastic cars with Mathew as well.

Patrick, I was not a member of this forum at this time last year. I had just read the first post that you threw up about your good friend that had passed. Actually brought a tear to my eye. Sounds like he was a good ol' guy. It is very nice of you to guide his son along. I know that you will do whatever you can for him. And by him I mean Bror. Good friends should never be forgotten. Through my dealings with you, I am sure that you are an excellent role model for Mathew. My heart goes out to you for your loss, but I know that you will help this young man grow up to be everything that his father would have wanted.

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Sorry to hear about your friend.

You're still alive? I was going to send you a b-day card but decided not to waste the stamp.

OK, some pretty sick gallows humor, but litespd knows where I'm coming from.

I've lost more friends than I should have at my age and I am also 52 at the moment. My BP is good, my cholestorol normal, and no signs of heart issues, but as Patrick's post points out, we never really know. It can happen anytime, to anyone, so don't take them for granted. The only thing we're certain of in this life is we're not going to get out of it alive.

Sorry for your pain, Patrick, and my thoughts go out to your friends family. I know you'll remember the good times. So will they, over time. Stay well my friends. (ALL of you)

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by litespd: I understand what you're saying better than most, Patrick. My father and my uncle both died of heart attacks at the age of 52. Last Friday, I turned 52. I've been joking for several years that I only have X amount of time left, but it all stopped being a joke for me on Friday. Wise words....don't take anyone in your life for granted, and hold them close...because you never know when it might be the last time. My condolences to your friend's family, and to you too, Patrick. I know what it's like to lose that kind of friend...

I was recently on jury duty in a medical malpractice case, which opened my eyes to how sudden death can come. The doctors on the witness stand were saying how someone who just months, weeks, or even days ago showed no signs of a heart attack can have one without warning. "Acute myocardial infarction" = heart attack. The "acute" part in this case means "sudden". You never really know. Never take life for granted.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: It’s exactly a year ago today that my best friend, Bror, passed away. Still thinking of you, buddy... The reason for this post isn’t just to pay my respects to Bror on the anniversary of his death, but to mention that I’m doing my best to bring his 18 year old son Mathew into the Fiero world. So the last year has been tough, but I’m hoping I can at least in small way make life a little more pleasant for my good buddy’s son. And what the heck, I’ll admit it... I’ve quite enjoyed sharing what I know about these silly little plastic cars with Mathew as well.

That's really cool Patrick... I'm sure your friend would really appreciate it... (or really hate you for it). Hah.

In truth though, I think it's great. It's got to be tough for the kid to be without a father figure in these early stages of adult-hood for him, and anything that can be a distraction or some kind of mental focus for him would probably really be a great thing.

You're doing a good thing, and I'm sure your buddy really appreciates it...

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Todd,
2008 Jeep Patriot Limited
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1981 EZ-GO Xi875-A "Miami Dolphins" Medical Cart
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Much appreciated.

quote Originally posted by litespd:My father and my uncle both died of heart attacks at the age of 52.

If your doctor has not given you a big workup including a DNA test, you have not properly explained whats up to your doctor.
http://www.boston.com/yourl...genetic_link_to.html


Thanks you the reminder Patrick. See, in this way, your friend is still giving.

that sucks man.
my father died of a heart attack at 52 when i was 9.

[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 07-18-2009).]

Sorry to hear about your friend. Way too young for a soul to part the Earth. But it's very respectable of you to be making sure his family is being taken care of. Commendable, indeed.

Andy

I'm hesitant to post in this thread again, as I'm not "looking" for more replies, but I always like to acknowledge when people post in a thread of mine.

I again thank everyone for their kind comments.

We're having a get-together this Saturday to celebrate (not quite the right word, but you know what I mean) the first anniversary of Bror's death. So if any of you find a favorite beverage in your hand this Saturday night, please raise it in a toast to all the fine people we've known and loved who no longer reside on this earthly plane. Cheers.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: The intent of this thread isn't to solicit for condolences, no, I'll be fine in a while. The purpose of this thread is more to remind us all that we're only on this planet for a very short time. Make the most of it. Tell your friends and family how much they mean to you while you have the opportunity. It doesn't even have to be done with words, as a matter of fact it may even be best to do it with actions. Demonstrate how much you enjoy their company by being pleasant yourself to be around. You just never know when you'll not get another chance.

Excellent thought and a great way to live.

To all of you here, of course I only know you thru the forum, however you rock and I sincerely hope the best comes your way in all things. I appreciate your viewpoints and thoughts and the camaraderie we have.