I don't expect you knew Raddy. He was the husband of Mary, one of hubby's classmates. We often saw Mary and Raddy while on the road in one of our various camping conveyances. Raddy and Mary also traveled in a motorhome, but we actually never had the occasion to camp with them.
Displayed at the Guest Book table.
We last saw Raddy and Mary in the fall of 2022. They had recently moved to Daytona, and were living in an oceanside condo. Raddy had grown up there, having parents who ran a beach-side hotel.
Mary told us at that time that doctors had recently determined that Raddy was suffering from dementia. I'm not certain if they knew what nature of dementia he had. When he passed away we learned that he had FTD or frontotemporal degeneration. Recently, ABC ran a special with Diane Sawyer entitled the Unexpected Journey, which shares Bruce and Emma Willis' struggle with this disease.
The memorial was short and truly very sweet. Large screen TV's or projectors ran a slide show of many pictures showing Raddy at all ages, from infancy to shortly before he passed away. The pictures highlighted many of the memories his friends shared.
Mary always had a knack for tasteful decorating. She pulled a lot together in a beautiful display of memorabilia capturing Raddy's life: from racing and restoring cars, to awards and mementos from his long career at Disney World, to his life as a father of two sons, and as the founder of the Cool Grandfather's Club.
I shared Raddy's memorial for two reasons, first to help raise awareness of frontotemporal degeneration, and secondly to remind us all to live our lives, and love fully.
He sounds like an amazing and decent individual. You're better off for having known him. Thanks for sharing him here. Sorry for the loss, it's so weird to be at the age where our friends are leaving in this way.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad reality. Several of the classmates were talking about the next reunion, their 60th, and wondering if anyone would be able to come - the numbers of healthy, active folks in their class grows smaller day by day.
DeleteIt appears he was loved by many. I'm sorry you lost your longtime friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks - he was one of those guys you wish you could spend more time with, and had known longer.
DeleteDementia is such an awful disease that takes our love ones away but leaves their body empty of who they were. So sorry that your friends had to deal with FTD. It is hard on the family for sure.
ReplyDeleteI feel for Mary. The last year of his care, when he slowly became bedridden and couldn't talk, must have been pure Hell.
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