I lost a dear friend today

Gus was a Kossack and a friend, he was someone I knew here in Orange County and someone I think who actually got me.  He had called me recently to go to lunch and I had to say no.  I wish I had gone.  Gus was one of the only people to call out of the blue to ask me how I was.  Gus always made me laugh and I loved that I could make him laugh, he had a great laugh.  It was one of those laughs that came from the heart, low and grumbling but warm and engulfing.  It hugged you.

You may have known him as Aeolus, I just knew him as Gus.  He worked tirelessly for progressive efforts thru out Orange County and California.  He was a force to be reckoned with, he liked fighting the man, he liked being the underdog and he loved being a thorn in the side of those who wanted to do harm to our environment.  he liked a good fight.

And he loved big.  He had an amazing family, he was so proud of his sons, his adopted and biological.  And he just had a way of making you feel welcome.  I always knew if I need someone to talk to I could call Gus.

We lost more than a friend today, we lost so much today and I would write more I think if I could just stop crying.  But I wanted to mark this loss somehow, I needed to.

I am going to miss Gus and I really wished I had gone to lunch with him, gone on hikes with him.  I wish I had done a lot of things.

You were one in a million Gus and I know so many others who will miss you just as much as I will.  You were like a Father I didn't have, I'm sure you were to so many.  I just can't wrap my mind around the fact I won't see you again.

Another dear friend Joe wrote an amazing tribute to Gus.