Elmer, the feral "porch cat", passed away peacefully yesterday, age approximately 16 to 17 years old. He died surrounded by several of those who had been participating in his care in the last few weeks. We are grateful to CC Veterinary Hospital for their skill and compassion during this time.
A resident of the area for over a decade and a half, Elmer appears to have been born in 2001 or 2002, I am told in buildings that stood where the condos now stand at 39th and Hudson. During his lifetime, as we discovered in the original post below he made numerous friends. As of this writing I have not received permission to name those involved, so: thanks goes to the unknown people who took him to the CC Vet the other day, thus allowing us to "corral" him and find a place for him to spend his last few days; those who were able to bring him indoors for the last few days of his life; those who paid for vet visits; those who have fed him; and the many of you who helped us keep an eye out for him when he went missing.
He is preceded in death by his sister, who died 1 to 2 years ago. He leaves behind warm memories, a piercing glare and kvetching meow that said "Feed me, human!" sad "moms" and "dads", and numerous residents of the area who fed him, loved him, walked with him, and cherished him.