Once again, this one stings a little more than others. A small part of my youth passes with Doug.
Doug Harris, Still Gill, Dave Mallicoate, and the 2 younger Cummings brothers, Cloyd and Sid have passed. Of that small circle that ran together it looks like only myself and Ronnie Mondello are still around. Unfortunately, I have lost contact for decades with Ronnie.
Doug was kind, funny, loyal, smart, friendly, protective, adventurist, just so many different great characteristics. We ran together, hunted together, explored together, both served in the military, just not enlisted together. We laughed together. We also cried together when a friend was ill, seriously injured, or passed. I would have walked across hot coals or crawled across broken glass to help Doug or any in that small group.
With each passing of a near, or even some a little more distant associate, a small piece of me goes with them. Some were friends more in later years than youth, but just as deep of friends.
Not living in the area anymore, I do not have the opportunity to go to the Armondale Reunion so I was not able to reconnect with Doug in these later years. Mary Jane is still around and in contact, but like myself, not longer in the area. There is the larger circle from Jefferrson, Lincoln, Wilson, and Taft who no more than sat near me in a class but at least gave a smile, nodded from time-to-time, or today, keep me up to date. You reading this may not have been part of my tighter association group, but know you are a part of my memories.
That is why my great appreciation of those who stay in contact, even those in that larger outer circle from that reach out to say an occasional, "Hello." I am happy with my life so there is no reason to reach out other than for me to smile and say, "Thank you for being warm and friendly during my time in Hamilton. Thank you for communicating and staying in touch now. You are appreciated."
Doug, thank you fro being a part of my youthful memories. I always appreciated our friendship.
Jack A Powers (Powers)
Once again, this one stings a little more than others. A small part of my youth passes with Doug.
Doug Harris, Still Gill, Dave Mallicoate, and the 2 younger Cummings brothers, Cloyd and Sid have passed. Of that small circle that ran together it looks like only myself and Ronnie Mondello are still around. Unfortunately, I have lost contact for decades with Ronnie.
Doug was kind, funny, loyal, smart, friendly, protective, adventurist, just so many different great characteristics. We ran together, hunted together, explored together, both served in the military, just not enlisted together. We laughed together. We also cried together when a friend was ill, seriously injured, or passed. I would have walked across hot coals or crawled across broken glass to help Doug or any in that small group.
With each passing of a near, or even some a little more distant associate, a small piece of me goes with them. Some were friends more in later years than youth, but just as deep of friends.
Not living in the area anymore, I do not have the opportunity to go to the Armondale Reunion so I was not able to reconnect with Doug in these later years. Mary Jane is still around and in contact, but like myself, not longer in the area. There is the larger circle from Jefferrson, Lincoln, Wilson, and Taft who no more than sat near me in a class but at least gave a smile, nodded from time-to-time, or today, keep me up to date. You reading this may not have been part of my tighter association group, but know you are a part of my memories.
That is why my great appreciation of those who stay in contact, even those in that larger outer circle from that reach out to say an occasional, "Hello." I am happy with my life so there is no reason to reach out other than for me to smile and say, "Thank you for being warm and friendly during my time in Hamilton. Thank you for communicating and staying in touch now. You are appreciated."
Doug, thank you fro being a part of my youthful memories. I always appreciated our friendship.
God's Speed and Peace be with you.