Wednesday, November 2, 2011

William the Coroner, RIP

I met William the Coroner in Pittsburgh at the NRA convention this year. We had good conversation at the Gunnie Prom. A genuinely nice man, thoughtful and kind-hearted, with an outsized intelligence and a warm smile. John Donne said it well:
"No man is an island, entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less,
as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were:
any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind,
and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls;
it tolls for thee."

John Donne
Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, no. 17 (Meditation)
1624 (published)

Rest in peace.

Newbius

4 comments:

Maura said...

That is one of my favorite Donne verses – and from what I’ve read elsewhere about this gentleman – a fitting tribute. My condolences.

Bubblehead Les. said...

As close as he lived to me, I regret not spending more time with him. But I plan on attending his Funeral, and a few of us up here plan on meeting afterwards to raise a glass in his memory. But I wish he could be there with us.

Old NFO said...

Well said.

Drew said...

"I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well." - Alexander the Great

WZBG was not only my faculty and my boss, but one of my good friends. He was a huge influence upon me, and made a great difference in my life. He helped me more than almost anyone during the most difficult time in my life. I think the best way to honor him is to be kind to one another (and animals), and to live long, good and interesting lives.

I miss him terribly.