Paul Cruickshank
1950-2007
R.I.P Brother
I remember reading a maxim of sorts a long time ago… “If… at the end of a Man’s life, he can count the number of TRUE FRIENDS on one hand, then he is lucky…”. I have always remembered this, and I do understand exactly what this means. A lot of people have many acquaintances, but how many TRUE FRIENDS do you really have??
On 2-19-2007 at about 8:30 PST, I lost one of mine to a very rare form of cancer. I first met Paul when I was 17 years old and had just started BIT out in Hollywood, CA. We met there and quickly became great friends. After graduating the school, he talked me into moving down to Anaheim (where he lived) and encouraged me to “get the hell out of Hollywood!!” hahaha! Paul eventually sold his property in “The OC” and moved up to a 40 acre ranch in Grass Valley, CA. I was there at his wedding some years later, and right after his only child, Dallas, was born some 14 years ago. Left up on the ranch to carry on… is his Wife Wendy, Daughter Dallas, and his Mother, Thelma. Over the years we have kept in touch, and when Wendy called a few weeks ago to let me know about all of this… I had to go and see him. I spent a short week up there and got to share in some quality time before the end. We laughed and relived some good times before he eventually got more and more ill. I am happy his suffering was limited, and finally he has moved on. He passed away very peacefully in his sleep.
For all those reading this… if you could just do me a small favor. Take a few seconds to wish Paul a happy “R.I.P.”, and then send some mental well wishes to Wendy, Dallas, and Thelma.
Thank you.
Paul was an awesome school teacher, and he will be missed! He was truly a great man. (I told him he needs to send me the winning lottery numbers from the other side!! That got a good laugh out of him!)
Good-bye Paul… I’ll catch you on the other side… and we will go fishing.
All my Love,
Sean