Yesterday would have been an old friends birthday. He died this summer.

[Swede]

He died in July. We grew up together and whenever I went back home I would look up Ernie. He had the best sense of humor of anyone I know.
And he'd give you the shirt off his back. I was a pallbearer.
He died like a real man. One of our friends was in the emergency room with Ernie's wife. He had a bleeding esophagus and the doctors couldn't stop the bleeding. They used up all his blood type in the city and they asked him what to do. He told them "It's over". Every time they unhooked a unit of blood they made sure he knew what they where doing. He held his wife's hand and said "It's over now." And he died.

[soleft]

1. How old was he?

[Swede]

2. He was 45 years old when he died.

We were born in 1957.

[ikojo]

3. I have a sister born in 1957! That is entirely

too young to die.

My condolences to you and your friend's family.

Thanks for sharing the story of his passing. Please tell more about him because he sounds like a mensch.

May his memory be for a blessing.

[Swede]

6. He has three daughters,the oldest is 8 years old.

The two older ones look like their mother,and the youngest,at 2, looks like Ernie.

[soleft]

4. that's just too damn young

December 21st will be ten years since one of my best friends died at the age of 30. And I still can't believe he's gone.

[Abe Linkman]

5. Passing note...for the living

"Life is short, and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those traveling the dark journey with us. Be swift to love; make haste to be kind."

[Norbert]

7. I"m sorry to hear about that.

I know what you are going through.

I lost a lifelong friend last year at 46. He had inoperable brain cancer and probably had about six weeks from his diagnosis to his death. I was gratefull for the short duration but it hurt like hell to see him gone.

Hang on to those wonderful memories as long as you can.

[Skittles]

8. *sniff*

so sorry, Swede.

For the record, I'm a '57 model too. We are tough birds.

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. Swede, I am so sorry.

How difficult this must be for you and your friends. My thoughts go out to you.

Hugs, Laura

[Swede]

10. Thanks for the shoulder to lean on.

I'm one of those idiots that can't cry in front of people,so this is a nice spot for some relief.

[hussar]

11. 1957 model here too

That's a shame he died at that age, I lost one of my best friends when he was just 28 (cancer)