Lori and Kids, Tommy, Eddie and Sis … I have been struggling to find the right words to honor Soupie, since hearing about his passing and quite frankly I’m not sure I have succeeded at this point. To help in my quest, I contacted a number of friends and family… each conversation started with acknowledgement of a great loss and most moved from there to tears and sorrow … but then in all cases, the same thing happened … we began sharing our memories/stories for this truly remarkable individual … and as we did, the tears were quickly replaced by Joy and Laughter.
So instead of trying to string together my thoughts into some form of suitable testament to my Friend and his Family, I have decided to take a bit of a different tact and list a few of the words/phrases that capture my memories of Soup:
- Golfing at Sodus, Visiting Raquette, Skiing at Brantling w/ the Boys, Teaming up with Soup, Corn and Uncle Ray in the PC Memorial (and winning the day after my first born came into this world), Competitive Lawn Mowing (138 Curtice Pk vs 208 Dunning Ave), “Boat on the Rocks”, Sitting against the garage doors at Shep’s and eating Oreos and Milk, Bob Bob Bob – Bob Bob & Fran (set to the Beach Boys … Barbara Ann), Correct Sandwich Management (there must always be one bite left of the Sandwich, Chip and Pickle). The Clam Bake at Raquette and ensuing Guys vs Girls Trivial Pursuit game at Shep’s Parents Camp).
Anyhow, these are just a few and impacted by the fact that our careers drove a bit of a geographical gap in our friendship, limiting the later years to be more “phone” than “in person”. I will ask that all that read these, feel free to add there own personal touch and in the end we will create a wonderful “quilt” that help Lori, Jess, Jordan and “Cup-o-Soup” remember our Exceptional Friend.
Soup … I know you are checking in and I just wanted to take the opportunity to give my love to My Best Friend and Brother I Never Had.
Klemmer
