Sunday, July 15, 2018

Sadness at the Forks

 I took this picture on June 9. As always, I pulled in one evening after I finished an interview in Birmingham. The guys were sitting there shooting the bull with fishermen as they came into the loading ramp after a day of fishing.

I sat with them for a long while watching the water. The mallards that took up residence here squawked around looking for bits of food or bait discarded by the incoming boats. Even with the distant drone of outboard motors heading in, it's peaceful at the Forks.

When I left I told them I wanted to interview each of them the next time I came down for a story. As always I got some serious responses and a boatload of grief :) I love those guys.

Then one day last week, Jilda was reading the obits and exclaimed Kenneth Suchey died! I had her read it again and then read it for myself. It was true. One of my buddies at the Fork had died.

When I talked to Leo, who is the unofficial mayor, he told me the story. He said that Kenneth started having problems breathing a few weeks. ago.  He went to the doctor and learned that he had lung cancer. One week later, he died.

I'd known Kenneth for most of my life. I saw him pitch in a semi-professional baseball game when I was in junior high school. It was a playoff game. That night the batters could not have hit his pitches had they used a boat paddle. He was in the zone.

He was a kind-hearted man who was quick to smile and slow to anger.

I haven't had the heart to stop at the Forks in the evening since.

Kenneth is second from the right in the picture below. He will be missed.


12 comments:

  1. Rick, I'm so sorry at the loss of your friend. I'm sure all the men here are missing him too. One day you'll head back to the Forks and remember the good times you had with him. Big hugs from Ohio to you.

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  2. I am so sorry about the passing of your friend.
    I send heartfelt condolences and gentle hugs from South Georgia/North Florida.
    Jackie

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  3. So sorry about the loss of your friend. Sending hugs from Montana.

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  4. I am so very sorry. And glad that his suffering was short.

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  5. Sorry you lost a friend. Looks like a great group of fishermen.
    Hugs
    Lisa

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  6. I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend and that you didn't get to interview him before he went home. May he rest in peace.
    Hugs, Julia

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  7. How nice you have this wonderful picture of the gang at the forks that includes your dear friend. So sorry for your loss and that of his friends too.

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  8. Sorry for your loss, but not a bad way to go.

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  9. Please accept my condolences.

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  10. Anonymous1:59 PM

    So sorry for the loss of your friend!!

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  11. Seems so little to say, but I feel for you and so sorry for the loss. I don't have a friend I have know that long. ;-(

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  12. He looks like a kind and wise man but strong. Reminds me of my father in law. I am so sorry to hear about your friend but I hope you can go back because, I think, he would want that.

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