67
Jan 18/89
George and Joyce.
Some years ago, I made up a story which I called
The LAST AFFAIR OF JOE GLOOCH. It was about a Hollywood
producer who liked to do things in the grand manner.
It was all imaginary. A humorous story with a final punch
line.
Recently I lost a treasured and much admired friend. He
like Joe, did things in the grand manner. However there was
nothing imaginary about George. He was very real.
He was powerful physically with a sharp mind. He was well
read and never stopped learning. He never stopped working
either. Always striving to create something new.
Through his inventions he became wealthy. He and his
wife Joyce lived in a beautiful mansion overlooking the
valley. They were both good cooks and very hospitable.
They entertained in the grand manner. They might have 25
people to dinner which was served in an elegant manner.
I have happy memories of the times that I was a guest.
Even thinking about them gave me a happy feeling.
George did not become one of the idle rich. He kept
working on more inventions. He used his 3 car garage as a
workshop. Eventually he had several people helping him.
Finally he rented a factory.
Alfred Lord Tennyson in his poem ULYSSES, imagines that
Homers famous warrior is now retired and is urging his old
sailors to go on one last voyage. Here are excerpts.
'How dull it is to pause, to make an end.
'To rust unburnished, not to shine in use,
'As though to breath were life.
He goes on to say.
'And this grey spirit, yearning in desire,
'To follow knowledge, like a sinking star,
'beyond the utmost bounds of human thought.
George did things in a grand manner. He flew airplanes.
He and his wife explored the Amazon, along with others, in a
canoe. He and Joyce enjoyed life but there was always
action, especially if there was warm water and sunshine.
George was always learning. He was not just a spectator.
Others must have learned from him. He was a born teacher.
I understand that he became a father to many of the young men
who helped in his factory. Both of them were generous to
charity with time and money.
George passed away late last year. In his will he has
arranged for one last grand affair. Next Friday Jan 20/89
his friends and relatives have been invited to a memorial
service in the club house which is associated with their
condo.(They had sold their mansion) The memorial service is
at 5.30 p.m.(Social hour immediately following)
The invitation reads,"In keeping with George's wishes,we'll
continue with an informal party."
All of us will feel sad with happy memories. I will
always feel that way. I have told hundreds of people to
store their memory banks with fine people and grand events.
George and Joyce are worth storing forever.
