Vince, is Ill And Probably Dying

Friends, Milady's oldest brother, Vince, is ill and probably dying. He beat the throat cancer a long time ago, but a new cancer has cropped up, and it seems there's nothing to be done.

Lost my cousin Sherry some weeks back. Milady's cousin Pat suddenly died from leukemia more recently. Our generation is hitting the wall, although really none of them was that old. (Of course, I go by the standard of my 95yo mother.)

Vince was best known as a longtime bartender on Chicago's North Side. (Can be an honorable position.) He truly was a gentle giant, impressive in height and girth. I remember him walking a drunk out the door of the bar one day, firmly, but so nicely the drunk thanked him. Conversely, Vince talks of getting booted from a bar himself, and tipping the bouncer. Heh - bar culture was something I had to learn in our Chicago years.

I also will always remember one day when I sat down at his bar in a time of trouble. He said I was the saddest looking person he'd ever seen. (For a longtime big city bartender, that's saying something!) Then he helped me find the solution I needed. And he probably bought me a beer. He did so much for so many as is broadly loved.

Vince is also a painter, musician, and writer. I'll try to post about his book on the book thread some Sunday soon. Been meaning to for a long time. Vince was in the Navy during Nam, radio guy. Also an excellent chef. Husband and father, he's leaving his devoted wife and their one beautiful adult child, my daughter's age.

Milady's family is large and scattered. There was a plan for relatives to gather and visit Vince, but all my daughter's cousins were coming and it was becoming a circus in a sick room. They were discouraging the en masse party when he took a turn for the worse, which if he doesn't improve, means he may not last the week. So, instead of going up to visit, we may have to go up for a funeral.

So, one way or another, Milady and I will probably be driving up to Chicago this week. Prayers welcomed where applicable.