kc bob: RIP

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John and Charles Buraus, Leap Year Twins

I am reminded today, February 29th, of my childhood friends John and Charlie who were born on this day in 1952. My parents were friends with their parents. I lost track of them in my teen years.

I did a search on them and discovered that John died while living on Staten Island, my hometown, on April 8, 2005. The obituary did not say much except that John was married and had two children. What I found on Charlie was more extensive. Here are a few excerpts from his memorial.

Father Charles E. Buraus died in his rectory at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Fushimi, Diocese of Kyoto, Japan about 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, 1992. He was 40 years of age and a Maryknoll priest for 11 years in Japan.

A wake was held on Wednesday, September 9 in Japan for the parishioners of St. Teresa’s. His Superior wrote: “It was a spontaneous outpouring of love from the Christian community of Fushimi, which is a poorer section of the city of Kyoto. The Marthas and Marys prepared food for the mourners. The men came as they were from work. They prayed, sang hymns of Faith, and recounted cherished memories of Fr. Charlie’s generosity and above all his gentleness. Charlie had shared their life, visited their homes, worked on parish projects together, and was always available for pastoral counseling. His personality was ideal for mission and ministry…. For the Maryknoll family here in Japan it was a shock though all were aware of his health situation. He was ever at the disposal of others. While it is difficult to lose a young talented missioner, his influence in the parish and the diocese will live on in the Christians he guided, the vocations he nurtured, and the priests he shared his ministry with. In a way it is a great blessing, he taught people how to live and how to die. He was always smiling and apologetic when visited in the hospital. He bore the sufferings of the Lord, and now he shares the joys of the Resurrection. A great missioner of Maryknoll; I am envious.”

I was moved by the words spoken about Charlie - especially that he taught people how to live and how to die. His life seemed to embody the love and character of Jesus. I wish that I had kept up with he and John as we all grew older. Even so, it has been great thinking about these two old friends.

Weightless Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking passed away today at the age of 76. I share this 2007 post to remember him.

I'm taking a few moments this morning, the day after Stephen's weightless ride, to share a few of his quotes:

It was amazing, I could have gone on and on. (about his weightless experience)

God not only plays dice, He also sometimes throws the dice where they cannot be seen.

I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.

Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

The whole history of science has been the gradual realization that events do not happen in an arbitrary manner, but that they reflect a certain underlying order, which may or may not be divinely inspired.

To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.

When one's expectations are reduced to zero, one really appreciates everything one does have.

It matters if you just don't give up.

Stephen has suffered for many many years from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease). This flight was the first time in 40 years that Stephen moved freely beyond his wheelchair.

Dick Gregory, 1932-2017

Dick Gregory was an American civil rights activist, social critic, writer, entrepreneur, comedian, and actor. I remember watching him on TV. He passed away yesterday. Here are a few things that he said.

Love is man's natural endowment, but he doesn't know how to use it. He refuses to recognize the power of love because of his love of power

I'm not a comic. I'm a humorist.

It's cool to be healthy.

I never learned hate at home, or shame. I had to go to school for that.

Hell hath no fury like a liberal scorned.

Fear and God do not occupy the same space.

Riches do not delight us so much with their possession, as torment us with their loss.

The most difficult thing to get people to do is to accept the obvious.

Once I realized the value of making people laugh, I got very good at it. Fast.

To me, seeing a really great comedian is a bit like watching a musician or a poet.

Poor is a state of mind you never grow out of, but being broke is just a temporary condition.

When you have a good mother and no father, God kind of sits in. It's not enough, but it helps.

Please join me in asking God to comfort Mt Gregory's family and friends.

Mike Erich, 1955-2017

One of the joys of blogging is the virtual relationships I have made over the years. One such friendship is with Mike Erich - the Mad Theologian. I have had so many wonderful conversations with Mike over the years about the bible and our shared faith.

Mike passed away on Wednesday. He was 61 and a resident of Utah. I am saddened by his passing. Many of us prayed for his healing from cancer. Here are a few things that I think of when I remember Mike, the Mad Theologian:

He loved to discuss the scriptures even when we disagreed.
In our disagreements, he always afforded more grace to me than I to him.
He really helped me to understand a different way to look at the bible.
He faithfully offered prayers on the Daily Prayer blog.
He had a heart for God and wanted all to know His love.

I already miss Mike. He is one of the kindest men that I have never met in person.

Please join me in praying for Mike's wife, family and friends.

And please visit Mike Erich - the Mad Theologian to read more about Mike from his friend Jared.

Shimon Peres, 1923-2016

“It’s better to be controversial for the right reasons, than to be popular for the wrong reasons.”

“Israel is moving from the realm of poetry to the realm of prose.”

“You don’t make peace with friends. You make it with very unsavory enemies.”

“There are two things that cannot be achieved in life unless you close your eyes a little bit.
And that’s love and peace. If you want perfection you won’t obtain either of them.”

“For me, dreaming is simply being pragmatic.”

“I was learning, as I did in the Ministry of Defense. I never knew, but I always learned.

“The Jews' greatest contribution to history is dissatisfaction! We're a nation born to be discontented.
Whatever exists we believe can be changed for the better.”

“If a problem has no solution, it may not be a problem, but a fact - not to be solved, but to be coped with over time.”

Muhammad Ali, 1942-2016

Doubtful I could say anything about Ali that has not been said before. Here are a few things that he has said.

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.

A man who has no imagination has no wings.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.

Don’t count the days; make the days count.

The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.

It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.

Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right

Chaplain Emil Kapaun, 1916-1951

Some of the many unsung heroes of our military are the chaplains who serve and sacrifice for our nation. Today, on this day of remembrance, I thought that I would share a bit about one such man. The image at the right depicts a statue, located in Pilsen, Kansas, of Emil Kapaun helping a wounded comrade. Kapaun was a chaplain in the US Army during the Korean War. A few details of his inspiring service.

In January 1950 he was stationed near Mt. Fuji, Japan as a military chaplain until alerted into combat in July 1950.
In the same month, Chaplain Kapaun's unit, the 35th Brigade from Ft. Bliss, TX landed in South Korea during a big invasion.
He constantly ministered to the dead and dying while performing baptisms, hearing Confessions, offering Holy Communion and celebrating Mass from an improvised altar set up on the front end of an army jeep.
He regularly would lose his Mass Kit, jeep and trailer to enemy fire. He told how he was thoroughly convinced that the prayers of many others were what had saved him so many times up until his capture.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in September 1950.
When his unit was overrun by the enemy he stayed behind with the wounded. He allowed his own capture, then risked death by preventing Chinese executions of wounded Americans too injured to walk.
In November 1950, he was captured near Unsan, North Korea.
In the prison camp his main complaint was lack of sleep for several weeks at a time.
He was noted among his fellow POWs as one who would steal coffee and tea (and a pot to heat them in) from the Communist guards.
On May 23, 1951, he died in a prison camp in Pyoktong, North Korea. He was buried in a mass grave near the Yalu River.
On August 18, 1951, Kapaun was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at Unsan.
On April 11, 2013, President Obama posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Father Emil Kapaun

Today I remember Emil Kapaun, and chaplains like him, who do an amazing job ministering to our valiant soldiers.
I applaud the quiet and humble way that they serve those who have given all for peace.

John Thomas Brown, 1948-1968

I went to high school with John. I remember him as a very popular guy. He played both basketball and baseball. We both graduated in 1966. John died serving our country in Vietnam eight months before I enlisted in the US Army. Here are a few remembrances of John from his childhood friends.

We were classmates at Port Richmond High School, class of 1966 and when he was a senior, he was the best outside shooter, if not the best basketball player on the team. Although shorter than many of the other players he always played with heart and was a catalyst for the many wins Port Richmond had in 1966. I did not see him much after graduation, although I heard he had joined the Army in 1967. I always wondered why he didn't get a scholarship somewhere, he was that good. Reading through his history, I see he was killed during the Tet Offensive of 1968, one month after arriving in country and with less than a year in the Army. He was killed 6 days after I entered Basic Training. It wasn't until years later that I learned of his passing. He was a good friend and I always admired his positive attitude, infectious spirit and comradery. He gave his life for his country and i hope to see him memorialized at the 50 year reunion in 2016. God Bless John T. Brown. -Bob Pineiro

John Thomas Brown, was my classmate at St. Mary of the Assumption Elementary School for 9 years, where we were in the same classroom together about 7 hours every day. We hung out in a group and did many things together on weekends, such as riding our bikes to a local bowling alley to bowl on Saturday mornings. Though we went to different high schools, we continued to see each other often through those years. We both played basketball for our high school teams, and would often go to each other's games. After high school, and a childhood friendship of 13 years, we began dating each other. We were both only 19 years old when he was killed. It has been 45 years now, and I think about him, still - almost every day. When something reminds me of the Vietnam War, I still sob from the depths of my being with the loss of my precious friend. I will always love and honor him with all my heart. -Kathleen M Stuart

I remember hearing of John's death. It rocked me. It made me sad. It made me afraid. My draft status was 1A. John's death was one of the reasons that I signed up for a third year of service when I was drafted. At 19 I did not feel ready to die in Vietnam. My extra year of service involved six months of electronics training and a two and half year duty station in the New Mexico desert. My military service prepared me for the rest of my life. As I think back on 1968 I will always remember the impact that John's death had on me. On this weekend of remembrance, I remember John.

Joseph Vincent Camerlengo, 1948-1969

I grew up with Joe. We lived on the same street on Staten Island, NY. We both graduated high school in 1966.
We both served in the US Army. I was stationed in the New Mexico desert when Joe died serving in Vietnam on
October 20, 1969. Here are a few remembrances of him by the people he knew.

Today I remembered it was your birthday. So I googled you and saw pictures of your son. He has your dimples. I visit you when I go to my parents grave. I still can't believe how unfair life can be. Taken so young. Just wanted you to know as I am living my life I often wonder what you would be doing at 65 years old. I know you would be very proud of Joey Jr. -Your Friend and best man Nicky

I saw your name on the traveling wall and cried like I did when I heard you had died. I still have a picture of you and me taken in 1965 on Staten Island,New York.You are always in my prayers. Miss you. -Not Forgotten

You spoke to us this year with a letter carried by your son. Joe, you must be so proud. Your son is a wonderful young man. Through him your words and memories are with us. Thank you Joe. You are forever in our hearts and thoughts. -Rock

Joe You died so young. I have and will always remember you. Even as bad as it was we were tight. Man you were something. I often wonder about your "little girl" hell she must be 30 now. Joe, not in a hurry to hook up again but one day we shall. -RM

Joey I remember the day the 'army Vehicle' pulled up in front of your mother's house me and my brother Jimmy were standing across the street at Eddies Gulf station and we heard your mother scream after they broke the news of your death, we were devastated, you were a great friend. You are always remembered and prayed for. -Boyhood Friend

Hard to believe that it has been so long. I remember being at his house when I was young. We were not close friends but I remember how sad I felt when I learned that he had died.

On this weekend of remembrance I remember Joe.

Yogi Berra, 1925-2015

Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, a three-time AL MVP and 10-time World Series champion, died Tuesday at age 90. Growing up in New York City, I was a huge Yankees fan. Yogi was one of my boyhood heroes. Love how Yogi excelled after his playing career in managing teams. Here are a few Yogiisms that speak to his keen wit.

"Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical."

"He hits from both sides of the plate. He's amphibious."

"You can't think and hit at the same time."

"So, I'm ugly. I never saw anyone hit with his face."

"It's déjà vu all over again."

"Even Napoleon had his Watergate."

"Cut my pie into four pieces. I don't think I could eat eight."

"Never answer an anonymous letter."

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

"You can observe a lot just by watching."

Please join me in offering prayers of comfort today for his family and friends.

Remembering Maya Angelou [1928-2014]

"We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated."

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."

“Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it!”

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.”

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest."

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

Remembering Roger Ebert

Sad news this week about the passing of film critic Roger Ebert. Interesting to note that he, like my wife Ann, spent time at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. In memory, here are a few of the things that Roger has shared with us:

"When I am writing, my problems become invisible, and I am the same person I always was. All is well. I am as I should be."

"I believe empathy is the most essential quality of civilization."

"Kindness' covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out."

"Because of the rush of human knowledge, because of the digital revolution, I have a voice, and I do not need to scream."

"We are put on this planet only once, and to limit ourselves to the familiar is a crime against our minds."

"I know it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the other side of death to fear. I hope to be spared as much pain as possible on the approach path."

"So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I'll see you at the movies."

My Chuck Colson Story

Chuck Colson passed away today at the age of 80. I am saddened by his passing but am reminded of a night in the early 80s when a few friends and I showed the Born Again flick, a movie based on Mr Colson's life, to some folks at work. Dean Jones played Chuck and Anne Francis played his wife. We had about 20 folks in that large room at work that night and we showed the movie on a company loaned us a projector (no VHS or DVD back then). Had good conversation about faith with a few coworkers that night. It was great to be able to show this kind of movie.

My other connection with Chuck is the four years that I volunteered for Prison Fellowship, the ministry to inmates that he created after he was released from prison. I will always be thankful for the perspective I got from my weekly visits with inmates during those years. It taught me a lot about life and ministry.

Please join me in praying for Chuck's family and friends.

Anthony Shadid, 1968-2012

Anthony Shadid, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent died on Thursday at age 43 of an asthma attack in Syria. Following are a few words from a fellow journalist who knew him.

"He was the very best that our profession produces. He was somebody who had a genuine inner passion for the story. He had an understanding of Arab culture; he spoke Arabic beautifully. I can remember we lived together in the same house for a time in Baghdad, and his interest in people...he loved to go to a coffee shop and just sit and talk to people and listen to what they were thinking and seeing the changes in their lives...He was a rare man who just breathed the story in whole and was able to share it with readers. It's a terrible loss for our profession, and it's a reminder of why great journalists like Anthony Shadid make the world better in an important way." -David Ignatius, Washington Post

Please join me in prayer for Anthony's family and friends. And for all those who daily risk much to keep us informed.

Ben Gazzara, 1930-2012

I was saddened to read that Mr Gazzara died yesterday of pancreatic cancer. One of my favorite movies was the courtroom flick “Anatomy of a Murder” that starred him and Jimmy Stewart. Also remember QB VII, a 70s miniseries that he starred in. Here is a revealing clip from a 1998 interview with Charlie Rose:

“When I became hot, so to speak, in the theater, I got a lot of offers.”
“I won’t tell you the pictures I turned down because you would say, ‘You are a fool.’ And I was a fool.”

I have a faint memory of “Run for Your Life,” a TV drama in the late 60s, but don't really remember much of his acting work. Seems like he played a lot of bad guys. Please join me in prayer for his family.

Andy Rooney, 1919-2011

Rarely has there been a voice in our culture like Andy's. A guy who covered World War II, saw so much in his life and offered a weekly opinion on the events of the day. I enjoyed listening to Andy on 60 Minutes and will always remember him sitting behind his desk. My prayers for comfort go out today for his family and close friends.

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

Any way you slice it 56 just seems too young to die. As a geek I have always been inspired by the genius, innovation and imagination of people like Steve Jobs. He, and his company Apple, is to personal computing what Microsoft is to corporate computing.

I mourn the passing of Steve and pray that his family and friends will be comforted during this difficult time. In memory I share a few things Steve Jobs has said ...

Simple can be harder than complex.

You can't con people in this business. The products speak for themselves.

The most compelling reason for most people to buy a computer for the home will be to link it into a nationwide communications network. [from a 1985 interview]

A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them.

Great things in business are never done by one person, they're done by a team of people.

You have to trust in something -- your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

Dr Jack Kevorkian, 1928-2011

Doctor Jack Kevorkian died today in a Detroit hospital at 83 of kidney related problems. He was best known for his controversial advocacy for the rights of suffering patients to die. Here are a few things that he said on the that topic.

I don't persuade to suicide.

I intended to do my duty. Not murder.

None of them want to delay. Understand that. None of them.

My intent was to carry out my duty as a doctor, to end their suffering. Unfortunately, that entailed, in their cases, ending of the life.

Not one has shown an iota of fear of death. They want to end this agony.

The patient's autonomy always, always should be respected, even if it is absolutely contrary - the decision is contrary to best medical advice and what the physician wants.

Epitaphs of the Rich and Famous

The question of our own personal epitaph is sometimes asked. I do wonder what my children would put on my gravestone if they had that option. Maybe these epitaphs will help them?

My Jesus Mercy
Alphonse Capone

She did it the hard way.
Bette Davis

A master of comedy
His genius in the art of humor
Brought gladness
To the world he loved.
Stan Laurel

A genius of comedy
His talent brought joy and
Laughter to all the world.
Oliver Hardy

He Leadeth Me
Victor Fleming

A Gentle Man and a Gentleman
Jack Dempsey

Nothing in Moderation
We all loved him
Ernie Kovacs

A star on earth - a star in heaven
Karen Carpenter

I had A Lover's Quarrel With The World
Robert Lee Frost

To
Yesterday's Companionship
and Tomorrow's Reunion
Rita Hayworth

Man must endure his going hence.
C. S. Lewis

Check out other epitaphs here and let me know if you see a favorite one in the list.

TCM Remembers 2010

A poignant walk down memory lane in a montage of movie folks who passed away this year.

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