Sunday May 11th
8:30pm
Dear friends,
It has been a week since my sweet little man said goodbye and Willie and I are here home alone.
Roy's mom, Hazel, brother Ronnie and his wife Pat, and sisters Birdie and Shelley left today after giving me love and support all week as we grieve Roy's loss. Yesterday, we took a ride up the coast and stopped at the lovely little chapel in the Sea Ranch and had a private family memorial reading special passages and reminiscing with stories about Roy and what a little rascal he was. We went on to the art center in Gualala where five of our art glass pieces grace the entry foyer. After a pleasant visit to the center, we stopped by to visit with our dear friend and patron of the arts, Elaine Jacob, at her Sea Ranch home with it's incredible views of the ocean. The weather was perfect all day which I'm sure Roy had something to do with. In fact, it was such a perfect day, I thought to myself what more could you possibly ask for. My question was answered when Elaine told us that her neighbor was visiting his sea side home for the day. The neighbor who she was referring to was Dr. Gude who had been treating Roy over the past several months. After a quick call from Elaine, we met with Dr. Gude in his home for a brief and very intimate conversation about Roy. It was truly magical! Dr. Gude walked with us back to our car and talked with Roy's mom the entire time. It was truly beautiful to witness and just as Roy would have wanted. The entire day was as if he were painting on a canvas. Another beautiful work of art. Thank you Roy for this day and for the lifetime of laughs, love and happiness that you gave to me and so many others. We miss your sweet smile and your beautiful spirit. You will be with us always! Keep sweet my little angel. I love you!
Jimmy
Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments. Roy is listening and looking forward to hearing from you as am I.
10 comments:
I see Roy standing at the kitchen table smiling while cooking a fine meal, such a great listener, thoughtful and warm.
While going through challenging design phases on http://littleraidlartglass.com Roy, a consummate designer was easy to work with. He would look at the design ideas, pick the better of them, and have a simple suggestion which would invariably make the page come together. A master designer indeed!
Over the years I have always thought of Roy as family, and fortunately I was given the chance to get to know him even better as a person. He taught me fabulous cooking secrets and I was blessed to be able to visit Jim and Roy at their beautiful home. Roy shared amazing stories with me as we sat out on the porch and cooked a lovely meal. He has such an unbelievable spirit that I know will continue to live on.
Love you,
Jamie Loney
As a relatively new friend of Roy, Jim and Willie, I feel very priveledged to have known him. When I first met Roy, he was on a ventilator and not doing well, but pulled through and was able to laugh and carry on a conversation without saying a word. When I told him Jim had called, he proudly descibed as quite handsome and how long they'd been together, Then I got to meet Jim and Willie and fell in love with all three. I loved his work and asked to have a window made, and later found out that I was the first nurse of his to follow through on that, and mine ended up being his last design. I will cherish those for the rest of my life, as I will cherish my memories of Roy and his "Fuzzy Face", it was truly a joy to have known him.
When I met Roy in 1972, he lived alone in a beautiful flat on Commonweath Avenue in the city. He was recommended to me as a potential graphic design resource for my new business. I needed good artists. It was immediatedly evident upon embarking on our business relationship that Roy was an extraordinatry talent. After several months "The handsome guy from Ohio" became Roy's partner.
WE all became fast freinds and I enjoyed bringing friends over to meet them and show off the apartment and all the imaginative decorative highlights Roy and Jim had created. I was a very "Gay" Straight man and have always enjoyed being a stright friend to to wonderful guys who I truly adore. I have learned so much as a man with men friends from their frinedship. Additionally, it has been wonderful to experience and participate in their life together for these past 36 years. Watching them move into their house in the Castro and transform it into a Victorian Showplace, and then to witness the reinvention of Roy and Jim's creative energy as it developed into the Stained Glass area of expression. Not to mention the cozy house in the woods in Cazadero. I have been delighted to introduce my mother to them on a couple of occasions, and also my son Kevin. We have had some wonderful memories over these years going back to Commonwealth Avenue and that is what makes life a treasure and a gift. Thank you Roy and Jim for your friendship.
Love, Bob Clark
Charlie says,
I was Roy's pulmonary rehabilitation teacher. If I had a nickle for every laugh.... but they were worth far more than that. He possesed an amazing spirit, and was one of the lucky ones in life who found and pursued what he was born to do. Just look at his art! He made a set of angel wings that his whole class signed for me and they will always be above my work bench to remind me to live life to it's fullest, just as he did. He was the prince of mirth. He was also lucky enough to find the love of his life and spend many wonderful years with him. Not many can take these joys to the end as Roy has, so reflect the time you had with him and remember, he's looking over our shoulders with that mischievous grin of his.
Several years ago, I purchased an art piece that Roy designed entitled "Somewhere in Time." My aunt, sister, brother in law and I were touring a vineyard in Napa Valley. The art piece was displaced at the vineyard. I instantly fell in love with "Somewhere in Time". I have enjoyed this beautiful piece every day since my purchase. Over the years I have also enjoyed a new friendship with Jim, Roy and Willie. Everyone that enters my home, comments on Roy's handy work. Jim and Roy are very blessed to have such a long and remarkable relationship. Everyone should be blessed with such happiness. I salute you, Roy. Your life has brought much happiness and pleasure to this Texas girl and many others... Love Jo Ann Peterson
Why does it have to be so long since our last contact. My thoughts have always been with you both. I look at all the wonderful art pieces I have collected from both of you. I will always remember the great meals, Thanksgivings and Christmas Holidays. Thank you for being in my life. Love, Sharon Hartley
Dear Roy! It was an honor to have met you so long ago and to have spent time with you and Jim... and all of your 4-legged friends over the years. Thank you for being such a committed companion, confidante and friend to my brother Jim! I have loved you as I have loved my own brother. Thinking of the times we shared brings back fond recollections. I compare being in your presence with the feeling of meeting Rembrandt, Michelangelo and yes, even Tiffany! How you used and shared your God-given talent is beyond compare! Dear Roy, while we mourn your loss in our lives, we must rejoice that you are now in the Lord's presence. Well done dear friend! With much love!
There are people you meet in your life who's spirit remains with you when you are not with them. For these friends even years between visits never diminishes the closeness you feel. When you see them again you are right back to the same connection. This is the way Roy and Jim were for me. I met Roy through my sister, who worked at the same television station in San Francisco. I stayed with my sister one summer back in the wild seventies and visited with the boys every time I came to S.F. over the next decades. I think the thing that sticks with me most about Roy is his laugh. Perhaps because I loved to make him laugh or because Roy laughed so often, I can close my eyes right now and hear it. Its a dry cackle with an impudent touch of the leprachaun. I think that, while Roy lived life to the fullest, he lived it with a light touch. If he carried any anger, I never saw it. His sense of humor infused his life. It was a life I was glad to be a part of, in my own small way. Love, Tom Davies
No man will ever "fluff me up" quite the same way...love that winking man,the Roy Boy.
xoxoxo,
Anni Ry
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