It all began this morning when I received an email from someone in Memramcook telling me that Jean-Guy Richard has just died. < Age 47 years old >
Who was Jean-Guy? He was a guy who came from a poor family but always had a good heart.
He was born with a leg shorter than the other. But this never stopped Jean-Guy in his track.
He left school but quickly found a job. Jean-Guy was a lefty so therefore he became a fantastic fast ball pitcher.
He played in the fastball league in Memramcook.
I remember one play-off game that he played in many extra innings and lost.
He knew that he would never play a game like that one again. He was so upset by coming so close that he threw his baseball shoes over a fence and never to be found again.
The last time I saw Jean-Guy was a couple of years ago and he was living at Cormier’s Cove.
He was a single dad and had his two sons with him.
One of them was named Donald which was the name of Jean-Guy’s brother who died when Jean-Guy was just a little kid.
Jean-Guy also had problems with his kidneys but he never complain.
He would go to the hospital every two to three days for a kidney dialysis.
He seem to be doing ok?
Once I got the sad news this morning, I quickly went and phoned his brother Fernand. It’s been years since we last chatted and it was an emotional conversation.
I asked his brother if I could write a story about his brother and he gave me permission. It’s sad.
Jean-Guy died because his lungs collapse.
He had a weakness a few weeks ago and bacteria set into his lungs. Poor Jean-Guy, it was bad enough he was having a battle with his kidneys but now it was his lungs.
The doctor told the poor guy that he had two weeks to live. I’m told that he accepted death.
He remembered as a child, His Mom and Father often fought.
He said - I’m going to heaven and be the referee!!!
He made arrangements with his lawyers that everything will be taken of.
Afterwards, it was the long trip to the hospital that he knew it would be his last.
He quickly looked backed towards the Valley for one last look and headed to Moncton.
A couple of days before he died, he had a final nice chat with his two sons< age 19 and 21 >.
His brother told me that Jean-Guy lungs were like a person who had just jogged for two miles.
His breathing was very heavy and he suffered right till the last breath.
Yes, Jean-Guy had a rough life and as in death? He fought his disabilities and moved on with his life.
Jean-Guy gave the definition of the word {Courage }a stronger meaning.
There will be no funeral services for the poor guy. He didn’t want any but the family will hold a service at Dupuis Funeral Home in Memramcook on Saturday morning at between 9:00am and 11:00am!
Jean-Guy is gone and will be truly missed. My sympathy goes out to the whole family!
This afternoon, I paid my respect to the couple who lost their five months old child.
Once at the funeral parlor, I noticed the little baby in an open casket. It was sad and the parents looked ok.
Yes, it’s been quite a day and it’s those ones that I can do without.
I guess living in a small isn’t that bad?
The old saying is so true. If he or she has their health then they shouldn’t complain.
Life goes on.
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