MetaChat - I need some Metachat cheer.

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25 December 2005

I need some Metachat cheer. →[More:]Midway through Christmas dinner we recieved a phone call that my Aunt Annie answered in the kitchen. We heard her immediately break out into sobs. My Uncle Vinnie, her twin's (and my Dad's sister's) husband had succumbed to the lung cancer he had been battling for 2 1/2 years. He was 54.

post by: jonmc at: 20:38 | 39 comments

An Irish-Sicilian crossbreed and a genuinely tough monkey, Vinnie hailed from the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, New York. He was dating my Dad's sister Trecie, and introduced her twin Annie to his best friend, my Uncle Nick.

When I was a kid, he was the fun uncle who loved to goof around with me. As I got older, Vinnie, Nick & my dad regaled me with tales of growing up in New York City and of Catholic Schools full of ruler weilding nuns. Then he told me about hanging out in the late-60's Greenwich Village, where, at the Fillmore East, he saw just about everyone. In his life he held jobs as diverse as gym teacher, exterminator and blackjack dealer. Ironically, he was probably the cleanest living relative I had, never smoked, rarely drank and played competitive tennis. I'll miss him.

Cream was one of the bands he told me about seeing at the Fillmore, so Vinnie, this ones for you: Cream - Swlabr

posted by jonmc 25 December | 20:38

My sympathies, man. As someone who always seems to lose family members and friends between December 25 - January 1, I'm here to tell you that it definitely dampens the whole "cheery" and "festive" feelings one's supposed to have. My mom won't even celebrate the holidays anymore, as she lost her mom and her brother both during this time, and these last two years we lost a few friends and/or employees. It sucks. Hard.

posted by WolfDaddy 25 December | 20:45

i'm so sorry, jon...

this time of year people always go.

posted by amberglow 25 December | 20:48

You woulda loved Vinnie. He was a true New Yorker and a guy who could make himself at home just about anywhere. He bore a curious resemblance to a slightly taller Danny DeVito.

posted by jonmc 25 December | 20:48

Hugs, jmc.

posted by Frisbee Girl 25 December | 20:54

Deepest condolences, jon.

posted by mike9322 25 December | 20:56

jonmc, as a fellow Sicilian I can tell you it grieves me to lose our own. My blessings to your family.

posted by rebirtha 25 December | 21:01

My sympathies as well. I'm sorry to hear this.

posted by trondant 25 December | 21:03

Terrible time for this. My condolences.

posted by orthogonality 25 December | 21:17

I know where you are coming from. Be glad of the time you had together. This always happens around this time of year.

posted by Mr T 25 December | 21:22

*big hugs*

posted by brujita 25 December | 21:30

Condolences, sweetie.

posted by dame 25 December | 21:32

Thanks everyone. On the plus side, mom bought me two new plaid flannel shirts instead of the 'festive' sweater she foisted on me last year, that I exchanged for something more dignified.

posted by jonmc 25 December | 21:33

:-( ::big hug::

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 25 December | 21:34

I'm so sorry, man.

My friend that died got his diagnosis on Christmas Eve back in 1991. Lung cancer is a real bastard.

*hugs*

posted by bunnyfire 25 December | 21:41

*hugs* I'm so sorry. Your uncle sounds like he was a hell of a guy. : )

posted by sisterhavana 25 December | 21:55

I'm sorry, my condolences to you and your family.

Here's some loud music:

The Runaways - Cherry Bomb

New York Dolls - Personality Crisis

posted by Marxchivist 25 December | 22:13

Do not go gentle into that good night;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

posted by stilicho 25 December | 23:25

I'm deeply sorry, sir. My condolences to you and his family.

I hope that everyone has had the time to prepare for this outcome; my maternal grandmother was diagnosed with end-stage stomach cancer just prior to Christmas and everyone's been trying to prepare.

I wish him a happy wake.

posted by porpoise 25 December | 23:55

He sounds like a truly nice man, jon. My sympathies to you and your family.

posted by DeepFriedTwinkies 25 December | 23:56

My sympathies jon.

Cream - I Feel Free
The Offspring - Gone Away

posted by arse_hat 26 December | 00:10

That's tough shit man. Sorry to hear. Follow in his uncley footsteps Jon. Awesome uncles beget awesome uncles you know. Little Penelope would appreciate it I'm sure.

posted by panoptican 26 December | 00:12

I'm so sorry. That's bad news.

posted by matildaben 26 December | 00:31

posted by Cryptical Envelopment 26 December | 00:45

God, what news. I loved what you posted about him, though, Jon. Be strong and be well. My condolences.

posted by Lipstick Thespian 26 December | 01:53

So sorry to hear about that. *hugs*

posted by TrishaLynn 26 December | 02:21

Sounds like you need a visit from your TV girlfriend.

posted by Edible Energy 26 December | 02:44

.

I'm sorry...i wish i could give you a real hug...this will have to do.

*bear hug*

posted by Schyler523 26 December | 09:45

Awful news, jon. I'm giving you all my cheer today.

posted by safetyfork 26 December | 11:26

That's awful, Jon. I'm so sorry. *hug*

posted by kellydamnit 26 December | 12:02

Aw geez, jon, that's terrible. My condolences yo you and your family.

posted by bmarkey 26 December | 12:09

That is terrible news, jon. Warm thoughts your way.

posted by chewatadistance 26 December | 12:10

I'm so sorry. Take care of yourself.

posted by SassHat 26 December | 12:25

Aw crap, jonmc. I'm sorry to hear it. Nothing I can say that you don't know. My heart goes out to you.

I'm heading back to NYC now. I'll be there for a good long time, and I think I'm gonna quit my job so I wanna get together for a beer anyway. I'd be honored to toast him with you, bro.

Good memories remind you of a good man.

posted by Hugh Janus 26 December | 14:00

You wanna meet up in Queens? Theres a nice dive on the corner of 23rd Ave & 27th street, if you wanna join me?

posted by jonmc 26 December | 14:27

I'll probably head out there around 4pm. Meet me there if you want.

posted by jonmc 26 December | 14:34

Aw, I'm sorry jon. My condolences.

posted by gaspode 26 December | 18:50

Sorry, man, I got into town late and didn't get a chance to look online. Sometime this week? Queens or the South Pole, either way.

posted by Hugh Janus 27 December | 09:03

.

ti abbraccio, giovanni

posted by matteo 27 December | 17:51

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