A Memorial Remembrance for GPWA Members

[JoeHarris]

Really touching, thoughtful and refreshing post. Rest in peace all that are no longer with us.

[Former Member 14]

Although she was not well known in the forum, Allan "The Captain" Leonard's wife, Patty, also passed shortly after he left us. She went to many events and was also loved by many here. She had a long battle with her illness, and she declined after losing the love of her life.

What happened to their family was one of the most tragic things I've ever witnessed.

Agreed for such nice people, the tragic events which fell on their shoulders were more than anyone should bare.

Given the circumstances, it's not uncommon when people hold such a loving bond with each other, the other (even when in good health) lose the will to live.

The one thing I can't shake all these years later, are Allan's posts on FB 24 hours before he passed. In hindsight I should have reached out and said something, anything, but I didn't. Just thought he'd had a few too many beers.

Let me end this by saying... If anyone's friends seem a little off-center, reach out, check in, and make sure they're ok.

[Integrity]

The one thing I can't shake all these years later, are Allan's posts on FB 24 hours before he passed. In hindsight I should have reached out and said something, anything, but I didn't. Just thought he'd had a few too many beers.

I feel you, friend. I have often thought of the last time I heard his voice. He called me after he had a few too many... we spoke and he rambled for a while. He was just lonely.

He always ended his calls with an "I love you, man", which I'm sure he gave to everyone. I said "I love you, too", and that was the last time I ever heard his voice. That weighed on me for a long time. Like you, I thought of all the signs I missed and all the things I could have done for him. But we cannot do that to ourselves.

Hindsight is always clear. But even if we could go back in time... knowing what we know... I'm not at all sure we could have done anything to save him. He was gone long before he passed.

[Shulkin]

May they rest in peace sad news about Gary. Remember reading his posts ages ago.

[Renee]

Although she was not well known in the forum, Allan "The Captain" Leonard's wife, Patty, also passed shortly after he left us. She went to many events and was also loved by many here. She had a long battle with her illness, and she declined after losing the love of her life.

What happened to their family was one of the most tragic things I've ever witnessed. They lost their youngest daughter to a car accident in about 2005. I had never met her, but I wept so hard that day, because of how much Allan and Patty meant to me. And the thought of losing a child was overwhelming.

They were the nicest people and so in love with one another. I never ever ever saw them without a smile on their faces. Allan used to call me when he had too much to drink... and after losing his baby girl, most of his affiliate business, and with his wife's failing health, he drank often. No matter what happened to him, though, he always told you he loved you before the conversation ended.

When Allan passed, I think Patty gave up. It was awful to see it happen... like a train wreck spread over years. It still saddens me. As I have grown older and gathered baggage of my own, I understand Allan better. How he dealt with his pain is no ones business to judge.

I look forward to seeing my friends again one day. I know they are happy together somewhere... Allan with a drink in his hand. And I know when that day comes he will smile and give me a big hug. That's who he was. That's who he is.

Love...

I think someone has started chopping onions in here. I'm not crying, you're crying.

Since I started at Rewards, so many of my friends in this industry have passed. It's amazing to look back and think people who work in a job for 1 or 2 years don't form friendships with their "clients" or "competitors" as we do here. Most people who join this industry never leave it, and if they do, always return. There are people I've met in this industry I'd class as some of my closest friends, and we chat every day. If they disappeared off this earth one day I'd be absolutely devastated.

Every one of these people's passing has hit me hard, but this year one of them in particular broke me. I've had the longest relationship with him, since not long after I started here 13 years ago. We talked often about everything to do with life, not to mention seeing each other and spending time together at conferences, knowing his family etc. So many memories that are just that now. I don't really cry much, but every now and then he will pop into my mind while I'm driving or doing something where my mind doesn't need to concentrate on what I'm doing and I'll cry.

As we get older these things are going to be inevitable which makes it even more important to cherish those moments and spread the love.

If I don't ever get to say it any other time, I appreciate everyone I've met through this amazing industry ♥

[Former Member 14]

As we get older these things are going to be inevitable which makes it even more important to cherish those moments and spread the love.

When I was younger, the inevitable; my own mortality, I kept pretty much out of sight, out of mind. Looking back to when I was 39 and started in this industry, to now being almost 19 years older, and I wonder where all the years have gone. It's reflections like this, that make me think. Choices made, things I could have said in a less obtuse manner, letting my EGO rule my head/words, instead of just letting some stuff slide.

A few years back now, I ended a long term relationship. It really had turn to a living hell - my soul felt like it was dying a slow death. I've since met another lovely lady, and we're now living together. Aside from having to get used to sharing a home with her 17 year old son (frankly that was hard, given I don't have kids) definitely learning experience there. That aside, the ex and my current partner are like chalk and cheese.

Every night, before we go to sleep, we say the magic words, "I love you". Waking, those words are said again to each other. Thru the day we often send each other txt messages, be it just a simple, " I miss you", or otherwise something silly, which makes us both laugh. We always end those txt's with a kiss. While we may not always agree on stuff, we never fight, or say a harsh word to each other. We met each other purely by chance (or was it???). Either way the rest is history... I couldn't have wished for anyone more special than my lady.

For what it's worth, we live in a life these days that's so busy, that sometimes we forget to just stop, rest, and smell the roses. And in doing so, we can also sometimes forget to say the words that mean so much, those acts of kindness, and words which are priceless.

Reiterating, my time in this industry has been a bitter sweet. I've met some amazing people, kind folk, who are sincerely genuine. To all those people, I know and have met thru through the years, I appreciate everyone's friendship, even if sometimes I forget to say it

I'll stop here or I'll start waffling. We don't want that right!

[FictionNet]

The one thing I can't shake all these years later, are Allan's posts on FB 24 hours before he passed. In hindsight I should have reached out and said something, anything, but I didn't. Just thought he'd had a few too many beers.

I have the same issue re. someone I knew and it crosses my mind pretty much daily. I wish I'd heeded the hints and 24 hours later it was too late. I feel your pain, Dave.

[Maxfalcon]

Although she was not well known in the forum, Allan "The Captain" Leonard's wife, Patty, also passed shortly after he left us. She went to many events and was also loved by many here. She had a long battle with her illness, and she declined after losing the love of her life.

What happened to their family was one of the most tragic things I've ever witnessed. They lost their youngest daughter to a car accident in about 2005. I had never met her, but I wept so hard that day, because of how much Allan and Patty meant to me. And the thought of losing a child was overwhelming.

They were the nicest people and so in love with one another. I never ever ever saw them without a smile on their faces. Allan used to call me when he had too much to drink... and after losing his baby girl, most of his affiliate business, and with his wife's failing health, he drank often. No matter what happened to him, though, he always told you he loved you before the conversation ended.

When Allan passed, I think Patty gave up. It was awful to see it happen... like a train wreck spread over years. It still saddens me. As I have grown older and gathered baggage of my own, I understand Allan better. How he dealt with his pain is no ones business to judge.

I look forward to seeing my friends again one day. I know they are happy together somewhere... Allan with a drink in his hand. And I know when that day comes he will smile and give me a big hug. That's who he was. That's who he is.

Love...

Thank you for this, Integrity.

Yes, Allan had a tragic life and was like you said when you were talking to him... I still remember him, he was a really good guy. Persons like him, seems to be still present and alive within our thoughts even if they have passed away.

[Cardy007]

A nice touch Michael, I guess over the years you have got to know many people here!

[slotplayer]

Agreed for such nice people, the tragic events which fell on their shoulders were more than anyone should bare.

Given the circumstances, it's not uncommon when people hold such a loving bond with each other, the other (even when in good health) lose the will to live.

The one thing I can't shake all these years later, are Allan's posts on FB 24 hours before he passed. In hindsight I should have reached out and said something, anything, but I didn't. Just thought he'd had a few too many beers.

Let me end this by saying... If anyone's friends seem a little off-center, reach out, check in, and make sure they're ok.

yes, Dave, I remember that painful post to this day and said to myself as I read it he's ... and needs help, Then I said to myself, the people closest to him must be helping him. Like you, I still regret not speaking up.

[fullbenefit]

A very nice gesture, RIP.

[MichaelCorfman]

Earlier this week I received a returned magazine for GPWA member OldWestGames noting that he was deceased. While Sal was not an active member in the GPWA forums, he was on the Poker Chip Forum and ran a business known as Old West Games. I quote a sympathy message from a Poker Chip Forum member here:

My condolences to the Family. Salvatore will be missed by many. Sal as we called him on The Poker Chip Forum was an asset to the chip collecting community. Sal was one of those people that would go out of his way to provide a great experience among our community of chip collectors. I never had the opportunity to meet him face to face but when you talk to someone or even communicating through emails you knew this is the kind if guy I would be proud to call a friend. Thank you Sal for all that you did and Rest well my friend. We all miss you.

Rest in Peace Sal.

Michael

[StepGart]

Good post! The land they rest in peace ...

[MichaelCorfman]

I just learned today the Loriann Sheridan passed away on May 31st this year, so I had the sad duty to update the list of members that are no longer with us at the start of this post.

Also, I made a separate post about her here: Rest in Peace Loriann Sheridan (GPWA Loriann).

As I said in that post, many GPWA members will have been helped by her (GPWA Loriann in the forums) since she worked as customer service representative helping our members from August 2013 until November 2017

You can see here complete obituary here: Loriann Sheridan Obituary.

Michael

[Carl Panepinto]

R.i.p

[Musacchio]

Great post. Rest in peace.

[Buddy M]

Im not very active in any of the forums and have never met any of these members in person, but I do remember a few of them by their posts. I didnt know the professor wasnt doing well and I was just shocked when I heard he passed. I dont know why but I felt so bad when I read about him. Like I said I never met him, but he just seemed like a great guy who was totally dedicated to his form. The respect I had for someone I didnt know seems kindda strange to me, but I did respect him.

[Jon Nilson]

That is a very touching tribute, Michael, and also a very beautiful one.

[choongalex]

May they all rest in peace

[RooW-LotteryOffice]

So many names from the past that have past! Fond memories from many of the old conferences days in Miami and Vegas!