A little after I had opened Buzzy’s Country Store Saturday morning I received a call from Jennine Miller wife of my buddy Ted whom I was blessed to have known and been friends with for a number of years. Jennine informed me that Ted had passed on 27 April after experiencing severe complications from a collapsed vein in his leg. She said that they did not do any service nor obituary for Ted, but their daughter Kathleen had composed the following that she asked Kathleen to send to me:
When I asked where Ted was buried, Jennine told me that he had been cremated and that his ashes are now in a container on their mantle where he is watching over her. She noted that when she passes, she too will be cremated and their wishes are that both their ashes be spread in the Coronado Bay, San Diego area where they were from originally.
Ted at one time was the Commodore of the Coronado Yacht Club and told many stories of meeting and hosting guests such as Frank Sinatra at the Club.
My second funeral-related event on Saturday came later that afternoon and also had a nautical theme. Family and friends of Michael McFann united at his father Bill’s place on St. George’s Island for a celebration of life ceremony in his memory.
Michael passed last September at the age of 26. To read his full obit (click here.)
Here are some photos I took as we made our way across the creek from Bill’s over to Price Cove to dispose of Michael’s ashes.
Afterwards, on my way home from Michael’s celebration of life, I thought about his and Ted’s passing as they did. At 85 Ted had lived a long and fulfilling life. On the other hand, Michael passing so tragically and suddenly at the very young age of 26 left us way too soon.
And yet, despite those dissimilarities, it occurred to me as I crossed over the St. George’s Island bridge, that they both loved being on the water and that both of them ultimately will be buried at sea – one in St. George’s Creek, Maryland and the other in Coronado Bay, California.
I read something somewhere about life being full of infinite variance, but its overall pattern remains the same. Accordingly, enjoy your time here because it does go by very quickly.
Speaking of the pattern remaining the same, this Zep tune came to mind. Appropriately, there are some nautical scenes at the 1:35 mark when Robert starts to sing.