One of my favorite people died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. He had been my client for more than ten years but more than that, I was honored to call him my friend. He served in Europe during WW2, and led a fulfilling and successful personal life after that. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 9 1/2 years ago and had his pancreas removed. Just to not only survive but to thrive for more than seven years is a testament to his fighting spirit and his love of life and family. He didn’t particularly like to exercise, in fact the only reason he started was because his wife did. He did credit his endurance and strength in part to exercising and staying strong. I’d like to think I was responsible for that, but it was really his wife, at his side for more than 50 years, who deserves all the credit. She has been a rock-steady, guiding hand, through all he has been through. And, although the last two years were difficult, at best, he hung in there and battled. I’d like to think I’d do the same if I were in that situation, but I’ll never know until I get there. The dignified way he fought through adversity gives me chills. He was and is an inspiration to me. God bless him.
Stay well, John R Blilie, M.S.