The one remaining post from the thoughts that John’s friends shared is perhaps the hardest to introduce.
John met Tom Dwyer at about the same time he met Dave Mauer and some of the other guys who have shared their thoughts. But Tom dated and then married one of my best friends from Rosemont, MaryAnn (Mare). Once introduced Tom and John became best buds with a friendship like none other. Together, the four of us and our children spent countless days together - many of them at Mare and Tom’s beach house. Both having a boat when they first met, they took turns hauling friends out to the bay for hours of water skiing. Two peas in a pod, they called each other “Scooter Pie” and spoke in the most annoying “Urkel” style voice, or at least that’s how it started. There was a twang to this special talk they had and every last syllable was exaggerated for affect. Day after day Mare and I would just shake our heads. And this went on every time we were together. They were both sarcastic as the day is long and each fed off the other which was a dangerous thing.
We’ve shared many tears at the beach this year - remembering him and longing for him to be there. Rides on the boat are just different and sunsets have taken on a new meaning. Our boys are great friends and because Maddie is the odd one out (the only girl) she gets extra special attention from Aunt Mare and extra special doses of sarcasm from Uncle Tom - which she easily hands right back to him. Our visits will never be the same, but we remember John and all of our shenanigans with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts.
Tom was away Traveling for work when Mare called him with the news.
I was on a layover in Phoenix on my way to California to interview for a new position. Mare called me with panic in her voice. I knew something was terribly wrong and I pushed for an explanation. When she told me I was in shock and disbelief. Surely a terrible accident. The worst of accidents. I couldn’t wrap my head around it and started to go into flashback mode. We had just had a great post holiday lunch with you and Jackie and Nando a few weeks earlier. He had just asked me to go to Colorado on his ski trip. Then my thoughts went to you and the kids. "How could this be happening?"
Then when suicide was confirmed, I, like everyone else, thought "impossible!" Not John McGeary. Not my scooter! Not the loudest voice, biggest personality guy with the greatest laugh in the world! The guy who had so much to live for! Then the why's started. Then the resentment and anger started. Now just a hole in my heart for him, and also for you, Brendan, John and Maddie and the rest of his family and countless friends.
I cherish every memory I have of my friend, Scooter!!
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