My husband, Don S., has died ....

Don

For your information, my husband died July 13th. Two weeks ago and one day. Yes, Im keeping track, because every second since then has been a hellish nightmare. So, obviously, family and friends have known since the minute it happened, and services were last Sunday. Im just now getting around to posting on these boards, because I honestly thought that his online community tennis guys would simply WANT TO KNOW. I am not "looking for sympathy." I just thought it would be nice to let this community know what happened. I know he was in the middle of another exchange/sale of a racket with somebody on here; which he did often; and I figured that person might want to know that he died.

Anyway, Ill leave you all be now. Just wanted to tell you that Don really enjoyed his time here and it was relaxing for him. To the poster who mentioned his wife taking him to the US Open; we did the same thing. The first time Don flew out to NYC to see me (long distance relationship at first...), I took him to the US Open for two day sesssions, and we had such a blast. That is one of my very favorite memories of our too short time together.

Goodnight.
 
Don S said:
Matheiu,

"Selling his stuff" is NOT one of the "first things Ive thought of." Obviously you have no idea how painful something like this is to go through, and to turn around in the apartment you shared your life in, only to see around every corner, painful reminders of the person. I am keeping a LOT of his things, and Im trying my hardest to do what I feel is right with everything else. I have put a lot of time and feeling into what that exact right thing is to do with each adn every item, and these kinds of decisions are terrible for any person to have to make.

As far as me posting about his passing, of course he has "real" friends. He was an amazing and selfless person. One of the things he enjoyed most was shooting the sh*t on this site and the guitar site he hung out on. A lot of times, people in message boards such as this develop a friendship of some kind, and so I thought you all should know of his passing. I just thought you should know.


So, no offense, but you seem like kind of an a**hole for no reason, and awfully judgemental. I sincerely hope you never have to deal with anything this heartbreaking in your lifetime so some total stranger like you doesnt come out of nowhere and judge and insult you.

Everyone else, thank you for your kind words. I just wanted you to know, for those on here that knew him. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I hope you know better than to take his comments to heart, as he is probably a teenager just learning to experience this life. Comments like that are just part of life on the forum though. Everyone has a voice, even though at times, it does not seem like such a great idea.
You can see most here want to thank you for sharing with us what happened.
Best to you
 
Kelley...

Don S said:
For your information, my husband died July 13th. Two weeks ago and one day. Yes, Im keeping track, because every second since then has been a hellish nightmare. So, obviously, family and friends have known since the minute it happened, and services were last Sunday. Im just now getting around to posting on these boards, because I honestly thought that his online community tennis guys would simply WANT TO KNOW. I am not "looking for sympathy." I just thought it would be nice to let this community know what happened. I know he was in the middle of another exchange/sale of a racket with somebody on here; which he did often; and I figured that person might want to know that he died.

Anyway, Ill leave you all be now. Just wanted to tell you that Don really enjoyed his time here and it was relaxing for him. To the poster who mentioned his wife taking him to the US Open; we did the same thing. The first time Don flew out to NYC to see me (long distance relationship at first...), I took him to the US Open for two day sesssions, and we had such a blast. That is one of my very favorite memories of our too short time together.

Goodnight.
Click to expand...

...we're glad you thought of the tennis community, and although we know you just wanted to inform us, being his tennis buddies, and weren't looking for sympathy...that was obvious from your first posting...you have, obviously, all of our heartfelt sympathy.

Opening yourself up to strangers like this was a brave and selfless act of sharing Don! That what it was...sharing your husband with a bunch of folks he loved and loved him back...and for that you and Don will forever be in our hearts and prayers.

Please continue to talk to us any time you need a lift. Via his signon, you can send a PM (personal message) to any of us, and I think you'll be amazed at the response.

As I said before, please give this a look:

http://www.rmmskiracing.org/articles/RMalm-2006-03-Goals.pdf

I wrote this ostensibly about my goals in ski racing (could have been tennis) but it really turned out to be a remembrance of my dad, and I think you'll see a lot of Don in what I wrote about my father...
 
According to one of Don's posts, he has been on this forum since 2000. That is a very long time and predates the current forum which was installed sometime on Feb. 2004. I am assuming this because I have not seen a single person that has a registration date earlier than that.

I am sure people knew him on this forum, Mathieu.
 
Thanks for letting us all know he passed, Kelley.

Godspeed to Don S!
 
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Sid_Vicious said:
According to one of Don's posts, he has been on this forum since 2000. That is a very long time and predates the current forum which was installed sometime on Feb. 2004. I am assuming this because I have not seen a single person that has a registration date earlier than that.

I am sure people knew him on this forum, Mathieu.
Click to expand...

They updated the forum software in Feb 2004. There was a previous forum prior to this one. Many of the members with join dates of early 2004 were also members of that forum.

Don S said:
I have about 15 rackets here of his,l and have NOT A CLUE how to sell them or whast the best thing to do with them would be. Maybe you guys can help.
Click to expand...

You may want to donate them to a local tennis program or keep a few for the memories.

If you wish to sell them, there is an excellent classified section here on Talk Tennis. If you don't know the value, make a list of the frames and post it here in this thread. Many of us can give you an approximate current market value for each frame. Also, E Bay is a good option where the bidders decide the current market value.
 
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Thanks for posting about Don. Too often good friends disappear from forums and we never know why. In this case, it's a very sad reason. But, it gives a chance to go through his posts and remember a guy who loved this sport.
 
Kelley Lynn, I am so sorry for your loss. Of course we don't know him like you, but it will be a loss to us too. He was blessed to have a good relationship with a good woman. We can't really understand life, but he will always be in your heart.
 
I am the same age as him. Hope I don't go the way he did.

But then again, it is only the living who suffer I suppose.
 
Thank you Kelley.

Extremely generous of you to take the time and effort to even chime in here and tell us about what's happened. I'm honestly stunned that you've made such a selfless gesture toward this community in the wake of such a loss.

Just want you to know that I care... and that I'm sorry.
 
Kelley - really sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose our loved ones, especially when it is sudden and takes us by surprise. I'm hoping that you have great friends who can help you through this difficult time.
 
Kelley,

My wife and i hope that the kind remarks here in this place you are sharing with him and us are providing you some modest comfort.

I am 46, newly married and we have two kitties and I really don't know what else to say...So sorry.

Jim
 
Dear Kelley, again, I was one who didn't know your husband but he sounds like a wonderful guy - anyone who loves animals has a tremendous amount going for them.
All the best - you will be reunited one day - of that I am certain.
Good luck.
 
As a guitar playing tennis fanatic whos turning 40 soon, this hit home for me...your post was a real testament to your feelings for Don, and made me resolve to be a little nicer on these boards.

Very sorry for your loss, and remember that for you, life goes on and you will want to honor his memory by living the best life you possibly can.
 
Don

Thank you so much everyone. And yes, Don was definately part of the "old" boards here before it switched over, so Im sure there are a lot of people on here that knew him, and I know he did a lot of racket exchanges and things like that with people on these boards. So, I just thought you all should know. Thanks for the kind thoughts.
 
My deepest condolences. I just recently had my grandmother pass away from cancer. It's amazing how suddenly things happen.
 
My condolences for your loss.

You were brave to come on here and open yourself up to strangers at such a time. Your bravery will stand you in good stead in these difficult times.

- Andy
 
So sorry for your loss. I can feel the love you felt for Don pouring out through you posts. Cherish those feelings and those memories. He lives in you and those others he touched. As an EMT, I'm sure he did so much for others.
 
wow im really sorry to hear this :( I hope you find a way to feel better. Maybe you could keep the rackets so you can be reminded of him.
 
sorry to hear that, i have been a member since about 2001 and i remember him throughout these years... RIP...
 
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