Fifty Plus (50+) - Farewell to a former Fred

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/family%20and%20friends/larry.jpg

After a decades long battle with Multiple Sclerosis, my father-in-law passed away peacefully at home earlier this week. Before this terrible disease robbed him of his ability to walk, talk and eventually to do most anything, he was an English and Literature teacher, a bicycle commuter and a loving family man. Some of you contributed to our MS150 team, Team Larry, earlier this year in his honor.

As the above photo of him in the late 60's commuting to his teaching gig at a military school shows, he was also a bit of a Fred.

He will be missed.

We are all poorer when a good man goes. My condolences to all.

What a wonderful picture. I'm sorry for your loss.

Didn't every guy look like a Fred in the 60s?

My condolences.

The world is a lesser place with one less Fred in it.

My wife's aunt was lost to MS a few years ago. We witnessed what it did to her over 20 years. Sure wouldn't wish it on anyone. Let's hope that progress can be made on curing it.

Moments like this leave me speechless. I'm so sorry for your loss.

My condolences to you, Mrs. BluesDawg and family.

My condolence as well . . . and thanks for sharing the photo. As they say, it is priceless!

There's been MS in our family as well. Horrible, terrible disease!

At long last, your father in law is at peace.

Losing someone close really sucks... it's really, really hard.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
Nice shot up there... you surely have countless memories. Hold on to them

God bless and keep Larry. My condolences to the family.

My best wishes to you and the family.

Our condolences.

There are no words. Deepest condolences on the loss of Larry and all he meant to you. He will live as long as anyone remembers.

My condolences to the family.

What a wonderful picture of him.

What a valuable picture. I suspect he very well could have been many students' favorite teacher. Most cyclists have a soul . So very sorry. The picture will offer you happy memories in years to come.

And a unique and terrific Fred he was. Great photo by the way.

He's in a better place now .. the big MUP in the sky where he can move about under his own power again.

Lost my Father in Law earlier this year to cancer. My heart goes out to you and your family at this time.

Chris

My condolences.

I can only imagine the pain and helplessness you all must have experienced
as he fought and suffered from that terrible disease.

God bless you all.

That is a great picture, BD. I wish I had more of my father, but I enjoy looking at the few that I do have.

I, too, offer my condolences. And, along with jppe conclude, that it is indeed a wonderful photo, something that I would have expected to have seen Fred MacMurray do in a Disney movie or on "My Three Sons "(one of my favorite TV series from that era).

My condolences

Words can't do justice. I hope good memories overpower bad, and the family is able to move forward soon.

Sorry to hear it.

I'm so sorry for your loss. My sympathies to you and your family.

That is a great photo.

May the warmth of his love to all of your family stay wrapped around you and the remembrance of his life remain in your hearts and minds. Sincere condolences to you and yours.

Thank you to all for the caring comments. My wife and I have been touched by your kindness. There was one tense moment as my wife asked me what a Fred was. I told her it was a hopelessly non-stylish bicyclist. She laughed and said "Yep, that's Daddy alright. :)"

He will be missed.

IMHO this is most meaningful tribute any of us will be able to hope for. Sorry for your loss and the loss experienced by others who knew him.

very sorry to hear of your father-in- law's passing, My condolences.

Sorry.

My condolences, also. Great picture, hope it continues to bring back great memories for you for a long time.

Thank you to all for the caring comments. My wife and I have been touched by your kindness. There was one tense moment as my wife asked me what a Fred was. I told her it was a hopelessly non-stylish bicyclist. She laughed and said "Yep, that's Daddy alright. :)"

Hey, I've raced against Freds. Your father in law may have been non-stylish, but I am sure he was no Fred. He looks like someone to have been proud of. My condolences.

- L.

Hey, I've raced against Freds. Your father in law may have been non-stylish, but I am sure he was no Fred. He looks like someone to have been proud of. My condolences.

- L.

Thank you. Trust me. He was definitely a Fred. Unashamedly so. And he was definitely someone to be proud of (and we are).

I've never known a Fred (by name) who wasn't a gentle man.