"Fetched a Gun"

“It all happened during the football match. We don’t know [exactly what took place], but it appears the player was angry, fetched a gun and killed him.”

Argentine police source

Lackawanna Easter Tragedy

“They tie a cross to it every year, the both of them. And after they’re done tying the cross, they stand there and say prayers and they leave.”

Ed Kubilus, caretaker St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Throop

“It is unimaginable to think that a visit of a faithful couple to the grave of loved ones in anticipation of the celebration of Easter could have ended in such a tragic manner. Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and his family.”

Bishop Joseph Bambera, Diocese of Scranton

John M. Farrand (1950-2014): Thank You for Your Service

ALTAMONT — John M. Farrand, a businessman, a family man, and a Vietnam War veteran, died on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness. He was 63.

He was born on Dec. 29, 1950 in Adams, New York, the son of the late Robert I. and Helen Francis Farrand.

He was a principal and vice president of Adirondack Business Systems, and was acting as operations manager when the business was sold to Carousel Industries.

He served in the United States Army, completing two tours in Vietnam.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janet; his daughter, Patricia Meo and her husband, Lou; his sons, Michael and Robert Farrand; his grandchildren, Alaina and Joseph Meo and Liliana Farrand; his sisters, Nancy Miller and Elizabeth Flanagan; and his brothers, Robert W. and Frederick Farrand.

His parents died before him, as did his brother Thomas Farrand.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Fredendall Funeral Home 199 Main Street, Altamont. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, at St. Lucy-St. Bernadette Church, 109 Grand Street, Altamont. Interment will be in Schenectady Memorial Park at 566 Giffords Church Rd. in Rotterdam.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association Inc., 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 or to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborn Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211.

Just Another One of Those Coincidences

An in memoriam in the Burlington Free Press Sunday, March 2, 2014 caught my eye:

"In Loving Memory of Brennan Joseph Dekeersgieter"

The photo made him look young, and I've seen these outpourings of grief for young people lost too soon to the ones who loved them. The name "Brennan" caught my eye next, as it keeps popping up in interesting ways in my life. Reading along I discovered extraordinary words of remembrance a full year after his passing:

"The shadow of loss is all encompassing. We as a family pray time will allow us to rise from the throes of grief and live this life with a sense of adventure and love like Brennan did."

This person's presence was deeply felt by those around him. It continues . .

"The grief settles in brief moments, allowing our hearts and minds to fill with all that Brennan was and is."

Brother, son, athlete, protector of animals, nature enthusiast. But, he was more than the listed items in every case . .

" . . he wasn't just a dedicated brother, he was an advocate for all his siblings stood for. He wasn't just a son, but a man with a strong sense of duty to his parents."

Then . .

"It was the hidden guide that played the pupil so you'd maintain your pride."

Whoever wrote this is quite the writer. And such a person is being describing.

I put the newspaper down, musing on these things. Then I thought, what day was he born? I wonder if he was the same sign as the Brennan I know—and about whom so many coincidences have swirled. I thought I remembered a "3", which would mean March, and if it was late in the month it would have meant the same sun sign.

I opened the newspaper and checked carefully. It wasn't a "3" but a "4" and the day was "13" . . the exact same birth date as my Brennan.* Later I connected the middle name with mine.*

Just another one of those coincidences, I guess.

---

*a birth date also shared with Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Beckett, Eudora Welty, Gary Kasparov, Al Green, Lowell George, Christopher Hitchens, Butch Cassidy, and Guy Fawkes.
**the original Brennan's middle name matches my first name.

Significant Impact

"There was a significant impact when he was struck. The vehicle pushed in the cinder-block wall more than 10 inches."

William Kaempffer, spokesman

Bridgeport Police Department

(on woman
charged with murder of
"former lover" with car)

SEE: www.ctpost.com

"Oh Death, Oh Death" lyrics

Oh what is this, I cannot see
An icy hand takes hold on me?
Oh I am Death, that none can excel;
I open the door to heaven and hell

Oh Death, oh Death how can it be
That I must come and go with thee?
Oh death, oh death how can it be
For I'm unprepared for eternity?

Oh yes I've come for to get your soul,
Take your body and leave it cold;
I'll drop the flesh from off’n your frame,
The earth and worms both have their claim.

I’ll lock your jaw, so you can’t talk;
I’ll fix your feet, so you can’t walk;
I’ll close your eyes, so you can’t see:
This very hour, come and go with me.

Oh Death, oh Death please let me see
If Christ has turned his back on me.
When you were called and asked to bow,
You wouldn't take heed and it's too late now.

Oh Death, oh Death, please give me time
Too fix my heart, to change my mind.
Your heart is fixed, your mind is bound,
And I have the shackles to drag you down.

Farewell, farewell, to all farewell;
My doom is fixed I'm summoned to hell.
As long as God in heaven shall dwell,
My soul, my soul, shall scream in hell.

(traditional American folk song)

Stanley Brothers