Doug grew up right across the street from me on Poplar St. We were great friends. He was the first guy I had a drink with. We split a bottle of Tango on the side of Southedge. I still miss him.
Dougs was the first loss of a friend that I had to experience. The loss was devastating and memorable at the same time. I can't remember seeing a longer funeral precession line on the way to the cemetary ever since. He was truly well loved. Kind hearted, a wonderful smile and handsome too. Though I didn't know him real well, I thought he was a great person.
I was scheduled to come home with Doug and buds from college upstate in the van but because my finals went too late I had to stay an extra day and came home by bus and LIRR. I don't think I told anyone because I was too shocked to think I could have been in that Van... but I will alway remember doug, playing pool and drinks with his dad in his basement, football ( we even played against each other when he was at St Lawrence just weeks before) and my sadness when at his funeral. He was alive and vibrant and we will all remember him that way. I am sure he would laugh at my bald head and paunch and will miss that!
I have never forgotten the day I learned of Doug's death nor will I forget how devastated I was at his funeral. Doug was such a big part of our Senior class and such a kind hearted, gentle giant. Something seemed so wrong with the world when he was no longer in it. I felt the loss of the innocence of my youth the day he was put to rest. I have thought of his family often in the years that followed. I look forward to sharing some fun with him in the next life....
I've been wanting to write about Doug for a long time but never knew exactly what to say! Doug and I grew up together - he lived across the street from me on N. Kings Avenue - and we were always boyfriend and girlfriend even as children. I would get angry when someone hurt him and would beat them up! I remember the day Doug was hit in the arm with a beebie when Dennis Arena shot his beebie gun at us! I raced to Dennis' house and started yelling at him because he hurt Doug.
When Doug's family moved - I would still see him when I went to visit my Mom who worked for Doug's Dad. We always talked and laughed and enjoyed each other's company. When we finally started dating in 11th grade - there was a comfort about it that seemed so natural. We dated through our senior year, had lots of ups and downs and finally decided to see what the future held for both of us - but I guess - it wasn't meant to be that we would be together forever.
This is strange but Doug has never left my heart because I dream of him often and even though I'm aware in my dream that he is gone - he always says that he is watching over me and making sure I'm OK. I can't ask for anything more than to know that I have a Guardian Angel in Doug and I will always be ok.
It was Doug, Jim Gillen, and Gary Cohn and me. We were in Mr. Madison's and Miss Murphy's class and we were best friends. Doug was a giant of a person and a friend. We listed to Rush and played in each other's basements. We played sports and cards and ping pong. I thought he was indestructable.
It took me 6 or 7 years to send a letter to his parents. Luckily, they were very religious and felt that he was in a better place. I had no such solice. Doug and I drifted away from each other in High School. You don't play football, you drift away. Doug and Jim and Gary and I were friends before Doug became a campus star. Thats's the way it was in High School. In the midst of mindless fun, he demonstrated that people die. In some respect, I can't forgive him for dying. His death made me grow up.
I have lost both my parents and other people as well but none of them effected me like Doug.
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