Update: Jet is finally free of the ravages that beset his body. Heaven just got another of our band and his passing will sadden a multitude of those he impacted. We’ll raise a glass and remember his amazing presence!
He’s forever our brother!
RIP Jeff!
He’s forever our brother!
RIP Jeff!
One of my Queen's FB team mates Ross arranged to visit our buddy Jeff Kyle, the friend I wrote about a while back who is dealing with a Glioblastoma. The resulting email from Ross was upsetting because Jeff has gone into palliative care since the cancer is causing a host of issues and not responding well to the treatments Jeff and his family have had to endure.
In case you missed my piece about Jeff's story, here's the pertinent parts:
While I can use up all of my fingers and toes counting off the close friends and acquaintances that have affected by cancer, one of the more recent ones is an old Queen's Football team mate Jeff Kyle. Although he's a couple of years older than me, we forged a tight friendship through our escapades both on and off Richardson Field, a bond that has endured some 40 years since we parted ways to sow our Life's oats after graduation. Over a year ago, Jeff and his family got the shocking news of a Glioblastoma tumour growth that resulted in some impairments prompting medical advice. Two brain surgeries, a host of both radiation and chemo treatments, and a lot of heartache later, and Jeff has become the epitome of his adopted mantra #getbusyliving with a steeled determination and 'never say quit' attitude.
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| Senators' Jeff Kyle Night |
In case you can't get the link to work, or you just don't do Twitter, you'll simply have to take my word that Jeff is one seriously amazing guy, and our entire team is sending as much positive energy his way as we can muster. I am continually astonished by the love, support, and camaraderie that our group shows each other as we collectively navigate the bumps in Life's road.
We lost a few of our mates along the way.
We've been there for the UPs and the DOWNs of carving out a place in this world, and we make a concerted effort to get together regularly and recharge our friendship's batteries.
We lost a few of our mates along the way.
We've been there for the UPs and the DOWNs of carving out a place in this world, and we make a concerted effort to get together regularly and recharge our friendship's batteries.
When you're young and strong, like we were when we were the "Big Yellow Guys" of Queen's FB, you don't give a moment's notice to how that can change in the blink of an eye. You're likely in the best shape of your life, you're used to the daily physical battles of practices, you readily invite the "Go Hard or Go Home" tests each Saturday as you compete with everything you have, and you carouse with your mates eating and drinking things you know you shouldn't with a sense of immortality like a Greek God.
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| Some of the lads during the 2013 reunion L to R: Larry, Rick, Myself, George, Peter, Jeff, Dave, and Sam |
Fast forward 40 years, and we've embraced a far different attitude toward each other as we shed the "I'm gonna kick your ass" for "I'm gonna hug you until the pain goes away".
Jeff is an all around great human being! Dashingly handsome, thousand watt smile, sharp as a tack, always ready to drop everything to help a buddy. It was our turn to help Jeff, and try as we may, we couldn't swing the Universe's plan for him, and that simply tears our hearts to shreds.
I honestly don't know how many of my Queen's buddies believe in Heaven, an afterlife, what's next, but I feel strongly that Bobby, Chris, and John will have a cold one ready at the Pearly Gates for when the transition happens.
God will bless you Jet, you can be sure of that!
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