Remembering my friend Walter

Walter Sutcavage died last night. He was 92. I just recently ran into him while he was at dinner with his daughter Suann. He didn't remember me. He had Alzheimer's. I remembered him. I will always remember Walter.

Walter was my good friend Paul's Dad. Paul died tragically. Paul Sutcavage was a corporal for the United States Marine Corps. On September 06, 1987, he died in a car accident at the age of 22. I remember getting the phone call and screaming in pain. Not Paul.... Paul had a fantastic sense of humor and we were true friends. His mother Helen and his father Walter became my family. Many evenings I spent on their front porch remembering Paul and sharing news of the town. Walter would get me a beer or more! We really enjoyed each other. I always loved them. Marriage and children changed everything. They retired to Florida in the winters and we lost touch, except for rare occasions, such as my Dad's funeral and the day my Uncle Tom died. Walter and Helen. Paul's parents. Walter was a good Dad. He raised five amazing kids and Walter was a good husband...he and Helen were great friends above and beyond marriage. She used to make me laugh when she said he was driving her crazy over something...

Tuesday I will see them at the funeral home and Wednesday I will be at the Funeral Mass. A big part of me keeps thinking of Walter with his family in Heaven, especially his son Paul that he always missed. Jim Riggle is another one on the other side that died too young. He was Paul's best friend. The celebration in Heaven!

This is what gets me through the sorrow. Hoping to meet them all again, God willing, on the other side. I just bet, when I do, Walter will remember me.

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