On The Passing Of A Friend
Since December 19th 2011 a friend of mine has been missing. He was in a bad place emotionally and we worried he was suicidal. His roommates found his door left open and all of his belongings, including his bank cards, keys to his truck and the title left out on a table. News of it barely made the 4am early show.
“…Man missing presumed suicidal. Call 911 if you have info.”
It included an old mug shot that made him look positively insane. Sadly, after being missing for sixty-five days, his body was found yesterday morning in Vancouver, WA, in a vacant lot. I have no further details about how he died, just that he was positively identified.
We knew Keith and loved him through many troubled times. We adored the person he was and in spite of his addictions and pain, he was a kind and generous soul with a sharp wit and huge heart. We also know how he loved us, all of us: his friends ~ brothers and sisters ~ his PACT. I am sad that we couldn’t reach him during those last dark days. I hope that wherever his soul may be that he has found peace.
In loving memory of Keith Fitzgerald …to be continued.
Keith Fitzgerald
© Kathleen Ryan-McCullough, 2012
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~ About Me ~
About Me?…hmm, always a tough place to start. I hate to be boxed in, labeled and pegged. I am more than my age, marital status, occupation or religion. I have unique qualities that can’t be summed up in tiny phrases. I am more than a collection of blurbs – I continue to be work in progress.
I’ve always been impatient, stubborn and above average in charm, smarts and sarcasm. I have not left some misspent youth behind me that I need recovery from; in fact, I hope I never recover. My mother believed that you are only as old as you feel. That being said, there are days I feel like having the temper tantrum of a 4 year-old and the next day I feel the better part of a century dragging behind me.
Getting Personal:
I am of Irish and Swiss decent, although I recently discovered the Swiss connection. I have been married twice, fortunately the second time took. I have 4 adult children, 4 cats who are all sisters and one supremely beautiful 5 year-old German Shepherd. I live on an island in the middle of the Columbia River.
Life here on Hayden Island can be quite noisy. We are in the glide-path for Portland Int. Airport, so planes, including F-15 fighter jets from the 142nd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard take off and land day and night. The mighty Columbia River is 150 yards to my north and conveys all types river traffic, so fog horns are common. The Interstate 5 bridge is one of two bridges that cross the island. The other is a railroad bridge. Both are modified to open for boats and both bring their own unique noise. The interstate bridge carries over 140,000 vehicles every day and the railroad bridge sees about a dozen trains, including two crossings by Amtrak. All of these lead to a cacophony of noise that eventually fades into the background on any given day.
Not all the noises are man-made, in fact some of the most beautiful and haunting sounds I’ve ever heard have come from the many birds who nest here year round. There is also a protected area of wetlands just south of the island that are home to many thousands of birds. Canadian Geese flock in such numbers their honking can even be heard over the train whistles. One of my very favorite birds, the Osprey, nest right off shore atop the old pylons. Each morning during the spring and early summer I listen to their piercing calls as they hunt and teach their young to fly.
It is busy island, full of life’s hustle and bustle; so if it’s quiet you want, this probably isn’t the place. Having lived here 17 years, I have to say that I am quite content to call this piece of earth, my home.
I have spent months dithering about what I would blog. After several false starts and repeated bouts of angst, I’ve decided to simply write about whatever comes my way. Writing has always been healthy and productive outlet for me and now, in our digital world I can publish without worrying about pleasing some editor. Don’t get me wrong, I do hope that what I produce is worth reading and that it has value beyond just me.
While you’re here, if you should feel the need to leave a comment, be my guest. In turn if you have nothing to say then feel free to say nothing. Thanks, I’m hoping that you enjoy what you find here and that you will stop by again soon.
…That’s ~About Me~ for now!
Wading Barefoot 
This makes my heart sad. There’s just no other way to put it.
However, Im happy you posted a good picture of him, unlike the news did. He had quite the contagious smile, didn’t he?
((hugs))
~V.
You’re so right Victoria, there is no other way to say it, our hearts hurt! His smile was just one of the things that made him special. He was the kind of friend that would drop everything to help you. He was always the first person with a joke or a kind word & somehow you knew he was genuine. When Ansur had his surgery, Keith showed up and mowed his lawn, planted trees and weeded all his gardens for him. Friendship meant the world to Keith and he was a wonderful friend in return.
Thank you for your help with the search. Despite the sad ending it was a blessing to have as much help as we did. Also, thank your ‘Grimm’ friend for us. …One more thing: never doubt how much you are loved, for God set your feet upon this earth to walk in the light of His love…
I just want to say thank you for posting this. I have been periodically looking online since he went missing, and it was just so great to find these kind words amongst all the other emotionless/heartless news reports.
Also, if you have any other pictures, I would love to get them if possible. I’ve been going through all of our family photos, but unfortunately I just can’t find that many of him.
Justin,
You’re welcome, we miss him so much. If your able to find any more information, please feel free to let me know. I will do the same.
Kathleen