Monday, March 03, 2008

Catching up

We lost our cousin Kevin on the weekend. I was very fond of Kevin, a fellow who walked a difficult path through life, but kept his humour and his love for his family intact throughout. He died at his brother's house, in an environment a million times better than any hospital, surrounded by the people who loved him best. Kevin was just 55.

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Saturday night, we attended the Snow Ball, the gala fundraiser for Casey House. For those who don't know, Casey House is the AIDS hospice in Toronto founded by June Callwood,twenty years ago. Although these many years later, AIDS patients are living longer and better, sadly we don't have a cure yet for this terrible disease.

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Early this morning, I heard the news that Jeff Healey died, at the young age of 41, of cancer. Mr. Healey was a brilliant musician, a guitar player, and also a trumpet player. He made his mark as a rockin blues musician, but in my view really came into his own as a jazz musician, playing the jazz of the 1920s. He will also be remembered for the radio series he did about 20s jazz - fantastic show.

11 comments:

zydeco fish said...

Sad news about your cousin. My condolences. I was lucky enough to see Jeff in concert a few times, including once at Grossman's on Spadina. 41 is too young to die.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin.

I also thought of you when I read the news about Jeff Healey. (I was aquainted with him when he was first starting out.)

Wandering Coyote said...

So sorry to hear about your cousin. Sounds like he went peacefully...

I saw Casey House on the news the other day. June Callwood was quite the lady.

I woke up to the news of Jeff Healey's death this morning and was saddened. I always remember his song "Angel Eyes."

sp said...

My condolences about your cousin.

I'll miss Jeff Healey's talent and his show that I regularly listened to "My Kind of Jazz" on Jazz FM91.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry that you have lost your cousin and at too young an age. My sympathies,
Muppie

tshsmom said...

So sorry about your cousin!!

I had no idea that Jeff Healey was that young! I love his "bluesie" stuff.

Candy Minx said...

I am sorry about your cousin, what a shame.

I was shocked to hear about Jeff Healey...Stagg was walking in the door as I read it...

Some good news though...I posted on my blog this morning that UoA has found a blocker of HIV. YIPPEE!

Anonymous said...

Condolences on the loss of your cousin.

Red said...

So sorry to hear about your cousin Kevin. My thoughts are with you.

shemvic said...

Sorry to hear about your cousin. The people that have passed on will always be alive in our memories.

* (asterisk) said...

Sorry to read about your cousin, Mr A. Very young, too.