I was sad for his family, his seven grown children, numerous grand children and two great grand children. They lost their loved one from cancer. In less that a month after the discovery of a mass on his lung he was gone. The love this family showed for Roy was glorious. And they told of his deep love for them. He even helped one son into the fellowship, sobriety, and a productive profession.

    His last few weeks were difficult. The knowledge of his end brought emotions spilling over every time the thoughts of leaving surfaced. He was graced with time enough to say goodbye to everyone he loved and there were many. He took his last rights and passed away peacefully in the company of his loved ones. His last words were, "Here they come.", as he raised in  hand slightly off the bed and pointed forward.

   The Hartford Group is going to miss him greatly. The loved express in our meeting at the news of his passing surprised me. Not because our love for him was not known, but because death brings out the deapth of our confidential feelings for one another, emotions unexpressed in our weekly meeting routine. One man said his spirit will remain always in our meeting.

   I am happy for him. He achieved the goal. With the help of God and AA he overcame alcoholic destruction, faced the challenges of life, built a life based on love of his fellow man, and died sober after 41 years. God bless your soul Roy B. Thanks for everything.