I just received confirmation that my friend, James, passed away on Monday. Monday night I was told of a rumor circulating that he had passed. His mother is my friend and neighbor. The two of them had been out of touch for 2 years prior to my moving into this apartment. Shortly after, I met his mother, and somehow her son popped up in conversation because I mentioned playing chess. I was able to get them back in touch with each other.

James was a former heroin addict who had been clean for about 10 years. He was born with Type 1 Diabetes, and lost a leg and most of his toes due to that illness. He had become a fairly heavy drinker, which complicated his diabetes. But he was very intelligent and mostly self-educated. He was a good friend who would helped others when he could. In short, James was a very good person who simply had problems -- and he knew it.

I'm concerned about his mom because she has her own set of problems she is dealing with. She's a very nice lady, but she has heart problems and has struggled off and on with alcoholism and depression. Her son was her only family left. And now I'm moving out of this apartment next week to be closer to my work. She has already been upset over my move, so I expect the timing of losing her son as well will be very bad for her.

I ask that you keep James and his mom in your prayers, to help see both of them through their journeys -- one in the afterlife, the other looking to move on without her only child.

I'll be keeping in touch with Patti, his mom, as a friend. But also to make sure she has the emotional support I am sure she will need.

Thank you.

Sending my condolences

May his soul rest in Peace. We all die in the end.

Sorry for your loss, actionlynx

Sorry for your Loss ! Prayers !

Sorry for your loss.

Losing a friend is heart wrenching, losing one who had a troubled life is that and gut wrenching.

I grew up with a good friend, he was a happy go lucky type always there to lend a helping hand and a laugh. As with life, we all get married and everyone goes down their own path.

I get a call awhile back that he just stopped his car in the middle of the Verrazano Narrows bridge, got out and with no hesitation... jumped to his death. No letter.. no indication.. no warning.. just got out of the car.. and jumped.

I hope your friend is at peace.

Sorry for your loss actionlynx, your friend may R.I.P.

Sending strength to he's mom

So Sorry for the Loss of your Friend.

Thought and prayers of peace, comfort, and understanding to his mother and you my Friend.

Deepest sympathy.May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Thank you everyone!

I'm going to spend some time tomorrow with his mom. We didn't have much time to talk today. Tomorrow is my day off, so I let her know that I'll be around to talk.

Sorry for your loss. Prayers.

Sorry for your loss sugar

Thank you both.

His mother chose not to have a service. She didn't think she could handle it emotionally. But she's been holding up.

Patti admitted to me that she has cried at night around bedtime. But I already knew just by listening to how she talked. I could tell by her thought process that it was constantly on her mind.

I plan to check on her again next week. She wanted my new address when I moved, so I'm going to stop down to give it to her and make sure she has my phone number.

I may make her a beneficiary on my 401k in the event that I should unexpectedly pass away. I'm also going to list my friend Lemuel. Sure, I could list one of my nieces or nephews, but my siblings do pretty well. Patti and Lemuel really could use the money much more than my family. Besides, it would be a good way to honor her son's memory -- by showing that somebody else is looking out for his mom.

My sincerest condolences on your and his families loss.

My condolences Action. Prayers are being said. Not easy when a friend passes away.


I had a friend commit suicide last Friday. She had a very difficult life and really struggled with mental illness in her 31 years of life. Her 4 little kids are going to have a rough life without their mom.