• 894 replies
    marye
    Joined:
    Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • marye
    Joined:
    so sorry for your loss, donnie
    Ryan sounds like an awesome guy.
  • neondonnie79
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Ryan L. Black 7/22/1976 - 7/22/2008
    Recently My Friend and Boss passed away. His name is Ryan L. Black he's fom Lake Arrowhead California. He was a huge Fan of the Grateful Dead, Rat Dog and so on. He Died last tuesday, early morning, he lived excatly 33 years. I thought posting this here would be a good memorial for him. The community here will miss him as well as all of us who knew him well. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers and thoughts. KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Once a man and twice a child, Everything on earth is just for a while. Bob Marley
  • culliganman007
    Joined:
    Thank you for your kind
    Thank you for your kind words , and if anyone discovers they knew him share a story
  • grdaed73
    Joined:
    peace b with u, culiganman007
    Andy, may the four winds take u gently homerest in peace friend
  • GratefulGigi
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    culliganman007.....
    So sorry for your loss of your best friend Andy,may he rest in Peace
  • marye
    Joined:
    so sorry for your loss, culligan...
    Healing beams to Andy's loved ones, and may he be happy dancing to Jer forever.
  • iknowurider
    Joined:
    Hey Culli ~
    Healing Beams Heading to Andy's friends & family, 'May the four winds blow you safely home.." PEACE
  • pkpotter
    Joined:
    Andy
    Very sorry to hear of this. Did not know him but he sounds like a wonderful man. Will be thinking of him and his family. Fare thee well fellow deadhead,we will miss you. peace,pk
  • culliganman007
    Joined:
    "Andy" Otherwise known as John Andrew Vojtko
    I wish to Inform the Deadhead community that my Best Friend in the entire world as passed and any fellow heads that would know him (and there were many, many heads)should know that this happened, particularily Tony in Portland that i do not know how to contact but I saw at the 2004 show there with the Dead. Andy was a model deadhead in his belief system or principals. Jerry would of have been proud to call him friend , he never wanted to be a typical fan or hassle anyone at anytime. He was my music partner we went to so many shows together , the ones on my profile is a small sampling. His knowledge of the music and the Dead plus numerous other band community was like a library of knowledge , The vault people could of used Andy. The following is his Obit and the DEADHEADS worldwide weather you knew him or not, should heed to his passing. His story is 30 years plus and amazing. It would take more space than I'm provided to tell the story from beginning to end. I have been given his music collection , which is quite extensive in tapes as well as CD's , Probably more than 3000 pieces or more. I will be cataloging this collection of live shows and all. The following is the OBIT , My Tears have flown for three days now since I found out. Yesterday was the big day for the furneral and being with his family. I have known Andy since we were 15 years old. John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko of Libertyville Visitation for John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko, 45, will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the services at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 29700 N. St. Mary's Road, Libertyville, with Pastor Robert Davis officiating. Born Aug. 18, 1962, in Libertyville, he passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Andy had lived in the Libertyville-Mundelein area all his life. He was a 1980 graduate of Libertyville High School, received an associates degree from the College of Lake County and attended Illinois State University. He was a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Libertyville and was employed as a cook at Winchester House for many years. Andy enjoyed music, model trains, the outdoors, various pets and cooking. Surviving are his parents, Gerald and Delores Vojtko of Libertyville; two sisters, Jane (Charles) Binning of Cornville, Ariz. and Lynne (Darren) Rogers of Wauconda; and his favorite nephew and niece, Ethan and Brianna Rogers. Memorial contributions can be made to your favorite charity. Arrangements were made by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, Libertyville, 847-362-3009. Published in the Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on 6/27/2008.
  • grdaed73
    Joined:
    thx all
    4 all your kind words, showed my daughter, she appreciated them alot (who r these people, do u know them?she asked). happy trails tc
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Forums
Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Hi Merl. You were one of the nicest people I ever knew.Rick Wright: There can never be another Pink FLoyd SHow. Martin, thanks for so many great shows! Odetta. Where would we all be with out your music. My Dad, champion Clogging dancer. I had to trick you into liking acoustic Grateful Dead. You introduced me to the Osborne Brothers. You died on the Autumnal Equinox. The sun was shining and it was a really nice day. I was walking your great grandson Connor Erasmus when I heard the news. Sorry, I hurt myself that night trying to cope, but I walked it off into the cold morning. I read the last lines of "Box of Rain" at your service. I will survive.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 9 months
Permalink

May the clear light inside guide you on your journey home;) This is for my old roadie Bubba. He passed away when I was oversees. He was a prankster with Real family Values. His smile and laugh will never be forgotten. Thanks Bubba, for helping me face my fears.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

with all the tour excitement going on ...I am really wishing she was here with me!I miss you Patty every minute of everyday! Peace & Love
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

our beautiful girl would have been 19 today...her given name was amy lynn, but one of my nephews, when he first met her, couldn't pronounce all that and so he called her mimi... so i do too... she wasn't my daughter, but she was, in some ways, mine... she trusted me and she loved me back... that counts for something... her dad is holding up better than i am on this day-- i love birthdays and all the hoopla associated... i wish we could be making this a special day for her. instead we've taken fresh flowers (pansies for this time of year-- and we decided to take home the christmas tree we've had out there since thanksgiving!!!), and scott is going to have a private lunch at her gravesite, and her friends are taking balloons & cake to her... i'll go see her later. just me... i miss my darling girl... caroline
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

((((HUGZ))))!! Peace & Love,Gigi
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

and hugs back to you, gigi-- caroline
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

missing their loved ones today.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 8 months
Permalink

It's been a very long strange trip these past 17 months after losing my husband Alan. We went to so many shows during the 70's, 80's, 90's and into '04/'05. Will be seeing the boys in Greensboro and the Hook in two weeks and will be starting a new era of seeing them w/o my bear but want so bad to feel that feeling 'cause the music has never stopped.Hope that Billy will be feeling the lovelight 'cause he so reminds me of my dancin' bear. For years they looked like brothers. I'll be on the floor waiting for "Scarlett/Fire". A new beginning for me that is going to be the rest of my deadicated life. You knew without asking she was into the blues. As always, suzieQ
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

SuzieQ I hope you get the Scarlet/Fire, Lovelight and a few of your late husband Allen's favorites as well. Roll away the dew! Pete
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 8 months
Permalink

Hey, Pete, coming home just now and read your message. It's funny that you mentioned the boys playing some of my husband's favorites. Listening to Bertha on my way to work this morning made me think of the same thing. Every song played during spring tour will have a memory attached. Listening for the secret, searching for the sound As always, SuzieQ
user picture

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

KottonmouthjeffThe first family who introduced me to the grateful dead lived in west akron (Kalli, Florida Girl, SKY) now just going to shows you always meet new ones Thank you for those memories. See ya in Phili. Stay kind
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Someone told me blind dave died last year.I used to see him in Chicagoland in the 80's. I even toured with him way back around Ohio and Mich. Anyway, Peace be upon him. eFreak.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

I posted this early today it disappeared after some people were nice enough to offer condolences. Barney was a 2 year old Scottish Terrier who died this morning. Up until yesterday he was a very happy and sweet dog.He was always wagging his tail and believe it or not he loved the Grateful Dead.When I put on the 70's shows with Bertha, Sugar and Scarlett I would get up and dance, Barney as a puppy would stand on 2 legs I would grab his front paws and we would dance. We did this at least a few times a week. He was very understanding of the two cats we have and put up with a lot from them. At Halloween he would very proudly wear a ridiculous pumpkin costume and walk around the block with my kids and me. He died today from what appears to be an anuerism. We have received dozens of phone calls and visits from friends. He was a great dog and was the first person I spoke to in the morning and the last person I said goodnight to. This afternoon I got the new Terrapin CD and Bertha opened but I just didn't fell like dancing. Maybe in a few days. We love you Barney, And the road goes on forever.... BobbaLee
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

I am so sorry for your loss. As mom to two old and very loved dogs, I can only imagine how awful it is to lose one so young and so suddenly. May you and Barney meet again at the Bridge.
user picture

Member for

16 years 3 months
Permalink

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend Barney.  It sounds like Barney had a great life.  Yes, it was too short - but we should all be so lucky to have a friendship like the one you shared.  I hope you dance again soon - as I'm sure Barney would want you to.  Here's to Barney!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

Sorry to hear about Barney,our pets are such good friends. Don't know if I'd have made it this far without my dog, God bless you and Barney.
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

after reading of yer loss i said an extra prayer at mornin' mass, bobbalee. it's as hard losing a pet as it is family.....hell, they ARE family.....go ahead and dance, man....little fella prolly watchin' ya. suzi q...........if ya close yer eyes at the show and think real hard...i'm sure yer dancin' bear will be right next to you.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 9 months
Permalink

May the clear light inside guide you on your journey home;) To my little angel, I rescued you from the shelter just days before death, we traveled many miles and shared many journeys, you were the best rider I ever had. I hope you had a wonderful time in the mountains with the Family, even though I had to go not a day went by that I didn;t think of you. See you on the other side my 4 legged friend.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

You sound like a very positive, strong woman-My heart goes out to you-- As a family man I know nothing is stronger than Family--LOVE IS REAL....NOT FADE AWAY P.S. Have fun at the shows...I know he would want you to :-) Love,George&Family
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 8 months
Permalink

I lost my Mom 5-21-06.Let this family ease my pain as the Dead family has....I Love you Mom Ben
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 7 months
Permalink

RIP john, we missed you this tour, as we do every your since you left us..... RIP BROTHER
user picture

Member for

15 years 8 months
Permalink

Just wanting to share some love here. It's been one year since one of my best friends, Brad Ryan, passed. He was always a brother to me - we have lifelong connections in our family of friends here in Peterborough, Ontario, and elsewhere. One thing we shared was a deep love of the GDead, travel, and deadhead culture, mainly through the music. I remember the memorial last May - 300 people came from near and far to pay tribute and we were blown away. Brad, I know you would have been on tour with us this spring - in fact I feel that you WERE with us every step of the way. Here's a bit of the obituary for any of you who might be interested or in case it rings a bell... Bradley Read Ryan (b.Oct 14, 1976, Collingwood, Ontario - d. Apr 5, 2008, Palm Springs, CA) After a week of suffering from brain injury resulting from a climbing accident, Bradley Ryan died on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 in Palm Springs, CA. Bradley had been climbing in Joshua Tree State Park, Arizona, with friend, Taavo Martin, when Bradley fell and suffered a head injury. After almost a week in hospital, Brad suffered a stroke and lost all brain activity. He was 31 years of age. Bradley was a man of many and varied interests. He was a true connoisseur: quality was his pursuit. He applied this with fervour to many things: music, woodworking, growing food, minerology, sport. He studied African and Latin percussion and instrument-making, saxophone and electric bass, and performed regularly on turntables as DJ Son. Ultimate frisbee, disc golf, climbing, cycling, canoeing and backcountry skiing were among his favourite activities. He loved the Kootenay mountains of British Columbia and found physical and spiritual balance there. Bradley lived his life with conscious intent and showed us that it was possible to live fairly and sustainably. He had an avid interest in mycology and harvested many types of medicinal mushroom. He was a graduate of the Native Studies program at Trent University, and his experience in Pangnirtung, Baffin Island, inspired him to create a fair trade network through which he could sell arctic char, mushrooms and chocolate at the Saturday Farmers’ Market through his own business Sonic Son Foods. He dreamed of buying land in the Sharbot Lake area to grow food, hunt and build a home on. Bradley was highly principled and believed strongly in the power of community. This, above all, was what he lived for. He brought so many of us together in the name of music, food, seasonal celebrations, and sharing in each others’ successes. In his short life, he succeeded in his goal of connecting family and friends across Canada and around the world. A truly brave and bright spirit, Bradley will be sorely missed by those who loved him. He is remembered by his friends and family in Toronto, Peterborough, Phoenix, New Hampshire, Calgary, and Nelson. -------------------------------------- Thanks everyone for sharing your loves, your losses, and may we all grow stronger for having known these fine people. Love, Kirsten
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

today marks the one year anniversary of the death of my stepdaughter, amy -- or as i liked to call her, mimi. she is sorely and dearly and lovingly missed my her father, her mother, her grandparents, her aunts and uncles, her cousins, her friends, and her stepfather and halfbrother. mimi was a wonderful and spirited girl, full of sass and life and adventure. my life will never be the same because of her-- both because of her life and because of her death. she taught me many lessons about love, patience, kindness, and cooperation. i wish i could convey the depth of our loss, but words were not invented to fill that chasm. i'll play 'birdsong' for her today- over and over- we both love that song. peace to you, mimi; peace to those who are learning to live without you. peace to those of you out there suffering in your losses, your pains, and your heartaches. caroline
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

I had to go to my deadhead friend Marsha funeral today. She fought hard for 7 years then lost the battle of breast cancer. This for everyone who had has cancer in their lives... What Cancer Cannot Do Cancer is so limited ... It cannot cripple love, It cannot shatter hope, It cannot corrode faith, It cannot eat away at peace, It cannot destroy confidence, It cannot kill friendship, It cannot shut out memories, It cannot invade the soul, it cannot reduce eternal life, It cannot quench the spirit, It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection. RIP Marsha I will miss you xoxox Love & Peace, Gigi
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

take a moment today to remember all those who gave their all so we can enjoy what we have
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Jerry Moore,long time deadhead, Hunterhead, all around nice guy, passed away very recently. he will be missed. may the 4 winds blow you safely home. RIP. ((((Jerry Moore)))) not in this forum, but it was just 2 days ago, we were exchanging quips online... just goes to show, you don't ever know... sincere sympathy to Jerry's family and friends. peace.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Thanks for "Wang Dang Doodle" as well many other songs and appearances. Rest in peace. "The task is, not so much to see what no one has yet seen; but to think what nobody has yet thought, about that which everybody sees." - Erwin Schrödinger
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Thanks for the post GRTUD. Spent many a night and many hot summer nights dancing away as she sang away on stage. Always a good time. Thank you Koko. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Like a steam locomotive, rolling down the track, he's gone.... & nuthin's gonna bring him back. I'll always admire, and envy, Jerry for his incredible talent in obtaining good quality tape recordings of shows during the mid 70's. In particular, I really enjoy the tonal quality and microphone placement of the 10/1/76 Indianapolis show ( that I hitch-hiked to from Boulder). Jerry paired-up w David Gans on Sirius XM to feature Jerry's live recordings. His story-telling is legendary and fun to hear. Maybe David Gans, or David Lemieux, can arrange for bits from the Sirius show to get some dead.net audio coverage? Check out the slow start to Bertha!!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 1 month
Permalink

Jerry Moore , Thank you for all the wonderfull tapes . Also Rest in Peace David Caradine , He was found in his hotel room in Thiland this morning. no known cause as of yet . A wonderful actor will be sadly missed.
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

I heard Koko play live only once, in 1979 at a now defunct club in Cambridge, Massachusetts called The Speakeasy. The band I was in at that time played there a year later. It was a glorious dump, but some of the greatest blues artists played there in its heyday. I'll never forget my only audience with the Queen of the Blues. "When it comes to humility, I'm the greatest!" - Bullwinkle Moose
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Jerry Moore, original Relix editor found dead Original Relix Editor, Jerry Moore, died June 3 in his sleep at his parents home in the Bronx. Wake and funeral info Visitation Friday 2-4 & 7-9 at Hodder & Son Funeral Home, 899 McClean Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704 914-237-5800 Mass Saturday 9:45 - St. Barnabus Church, 409 E 241st St Bronx, NY 10470 718-324-1478 Burial afterward at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne ((((Jerry Moore)))) RIP brother, may the four winds blow you safely home.
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

holy cow.....too much at once.......rest in peace "grasshopper"........thanx for the rippin' songs koko........jerry moore.....your recordings will live on.........damn.....gotta go dig up my old relix mags now.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

bunch of tapers who inspired the rest of us to make an attempt to capture the magic of the Grateful Dead on that little magnetic tape. Bless him for his gifts to this community and for his work to preserve and sharre so many blissful moments for us all to enjoy/relive. Thank you, Jerry!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

donations for flowers for Jerry Moore's services were collected, and any excess funds will be donated to the Rex. folks here who would like to make a charitable donation in Jerry Moore's name in lieu of flowers may do so directly to The Rex. http://rexfoundation.org/ please click on the make a donation link on the right side of the page, they accept either pay pal or credit cards. in the 'description' you are able to specify something like donation for the memory of Jerry Moore should you want to include that. peace.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

the guard at the Holocost museum who was killed was named Stephen Tyrone Johns. his nickname was 'Big John' since he stood over 6 ft. tall. he had a son and had recently remarried. the museum was closed for the day in honour of Stephen Tyrone Johns. RIP, may the 4 winds blow you safely home. peace.
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

the government screwed up and let a nut out. the killer already had numerous weapons violations and should not have been on the street. if they would enforce the existing gun laws he would never have seen the light of day. let's hope they will, at least in this instance, follow the letter of the law and give the killer what he so richly deserves. racist slime like him do not deserve to walk the same sidewalks as the rest of us. they lock up people for smokin' a little herb and let scum like him out.....go figure........rest in peace big john...you and your family are in my prayers.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

....for reminding me to honor this man with a sorrowful soul on this quiet evening Reminds me of an old song, Abraham, Martin and John" that came out in '68. My heart goes out to "Big John's" family and to all of us - the family of mankind. Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham? Can you tell me where he's gone? He freed a lot of people, But it seems the good they die young. You know, I just looked around and he's gone. Anybody here seen my old friend John? Can you tell me where he's gone? He freed a lot of people, But it seems the good they die young. I just looked around and he's gone. Anybody here seen my old friend Martin? Can you tell me where he's gone? He freed a lot of people, But it seems the good they die young. I just looked 'round and he's gone. Didn't you love the things that they stood for? Didn't they try to find some good for you and me? And we'll be free Some day soon, and it's a-gonna be one day ... Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby? Can you tell me where he's gone? I thought I saw him walk up over the hill, With Abraham, Martin and John.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Chet Helms, who passed away four years ago, today. As for today, I agree with Marye and her old boss......please "no more, thank you".
user picture

Member for

15 years 5 months
Permalink

One of my biggest regrets was never seeing the dead before jerry died.it wasn't from a lack of trying,I was simpluy to young.my good friend brent turned me on to the dead in the early 90s.I. Feel in love instantly.I knew plenty of kids in my home town(fayetteville wv)who went to dead shows but I was just to young to attend,as my parents didn't share my love with the grateful dead.I was 14 when jerry died,and my first show was in 96.I went on to do 97 further and 98 and a few phish tours with my good friend brent and have always enjoyed the scene.then in oct. Of 2000,brent was killed in a car accident in nashville tenn.he was killed instantly and the funeral followed a few days later.he was a good freind and he is still missed almost 10 years later. Jerome. I also spoke in the positive vibes section of the forum of a freind named rob who passed in 2006 from aids.he was a tour buddy to and is grteatly missed his wife is coming into town today and we will spread his ash's in the new river gorge.so to all whop lost a freind along the way let us all sing fare thee well,fare thee well,I love you more than words can tell.....
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Here's a glimpse of the many colors of our lives. Walter Cronkite passed away today at the age of 93. Last year his friend Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead brought to him a set of drums and was teaching him how to play...at the young and tender age of 92. That's what friends are for.