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    marye
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    Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.

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  • marye
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    so sorry for your loss, donnie
    Ryan sounds like an awesome guy.
  • neondonnie79
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    Ryan L. Black 7/22/1976 - 7/22/2008
    Recently My Friend and Boss passed away. His name is Ryan L. Black he's fom Lake Arrowhead California. He was a huge Fan of the Grateful Dead, Rat Dog and so on. He Died last tuesday, early morning, he lived excatly 33 years. I thought posting this here would be a good memorial for him. The community here will miss him as well as all of us who knew him well. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers and thoughts. KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Once a man and twice a child, Everything on earth is just for a while. Bob Marley
  • culliganman007
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    Thank you for your kind
    Thank you for your kind words , and if anyone discovers they knew him share a story
  • grdaed73
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    peace b with u, culiganman007
    Andy, may the four winds take u gently homerest in peace friend
  • GratefulGigi
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    culliganman007.....
    So sorry for your loss of your best friend Andy,may he rest in Peace
  • marye
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    so sorry for your loss, culligan...
    Healing beams to Andy's loved ones, and may he be happy dancing to Jer forever.
  • iknowurider
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    Hey Culli ~
    Healing Beams Heading to Andy's friends & family, 'May the four winds blow you safely home.." PEACE
  • pkpotter
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    Andy
    Very sorry to hear of this. Did not know him but he sounds like a wonderful man. Will be thinking of him and his family. Fare thee well fellow deadhead,we will miss you. peace,pk
  • culliganman007
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    "Andy" Otherwise known as John Andrew Vojtko
    I wish to Inform the Deadhead community that my Best Friend in the entire world as passed and any fellow heads that would know him (and there were many, many heads)should know that this happened, particularily Tony in Portland that i do not know how to contact but I saw at the 2004 show there with the Dead. Andy was a model deadhead in his belief system or principals. Jerry would of have been proud to call him friend , he never wanted to be a typical fan or hassle anyone at anytime. He was my music partner we went to so many shows together , the ones on my profile is a small sampling. His knowledge of the music and the Dead plus numerous other band community was like a library of knowledge , The vault people could of used Andy. The following is his Obit and the DEADHEADS worldwide weather you knew him or not, should heed to his passing. His story is 30 years plus and amazing. It would take more space than I'm provided to tell the story from beginning to end. I have been given his music collection , which is quite extensive in tapes as well as CD's , Probably more than 3000 pieces or more. I will be cataloging this collection of live shows and all. The following is the OBIT , My Tears have flown for three days now since I found out. Yesterday was the big day for the furneral and being with his family. I have known Andy since we were 15 years old. John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko of Libertyville Visitation for John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko, 45, will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the services at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 29700 N. St. Mary's Road, Libertyville, with Pastor Robert Davis officiating. Born Aug. 18, 1962, in Libertyville, he passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Andy had lived in the Libertyville-Mundelein area all his life. He was a 1980 graduate of Libertyville High School, received an associates degree from the College of Lake County and attended Illinois State University. He was a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Libertyville and was employed as a cook at Winchester House for many years. Andy enjoyed music, model trains, the outdoors, various pets and cooking. Surviving are his parents, Gerald and Delores Vojtko of Libertyville; two sisters, Jane (Charles) Binning of Cornville, Ariz. and Lynne (Darren) Rogers of Wauconda; and his favorite nephew and niece, Ethan and Brianna Rogers. Memorial contributions can be made to your favorite charity. Arrangements were made by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, Libertyville, 847-362-3009. Published in the Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on 6/27/2008.
  • grdaed73
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    thx all
    4 all your kind words, showed my daughter, she appreciated them alot (who r these people, do u know them?she asked). happy trails tc
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Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.
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16 years 1 month
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~Hal Rowe~ (Will also add Wasserman and Deadication to canyoncritter/Scott Mattson) (~);-)Join me as I co-host the Vinyl Hour with Ned this Thursday evening as we listen to the songs of those who are gone, 2016. 92.3 KYRS at 8:00 PST. Also can be streamed, just go to the KYRS website. We will be playing the music of David Bowie, Jim Boyd, Leon Russell, Guy Clark, Prince, Mose Allison, Paul Kantner, Leonard Cohen and more. Hope you can join us. Extra bonus, it isn't just an hour, it's two hours of great tunes.
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9 years 8 months
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I'm beginning to feel like a ghoul, as if I wasn't depressed enough. Thanks for the smiles and laughs. I'll never forget the closet full of walnuts. Me & my dad laughed ourselves silly. Goodbye, Mary Tyler Moore. You were SOOOOO pretty.
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13 years 8 months
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https://youtu.be/Ja0bHMzp0uo genius waiting on number three.... I hate gettin' old....reminds me of an old biker dude I took care of, had a tat of a noose with blood dripping down on his arm, spelling out...born to die morbid, yes. But true.
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16 years 11 months
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It has been two years today that Dale left this space, and I sure miss him so very much. Every day there is something to bring a memory to mind. Miss shaking our bones at the shanty listening to the Grateful Dead, just living life. I miss everything about him. Know my love will not fade away 11:11 1:11 LOVE
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By Craig Davis ~ TDS TaperLast night I bore witness to one of the most exhilarating, unique and incredible musical events I have ever experienced, all in celebration of the life of Col. Bruce Hampton. The Col. (ret.) can't rightfully be accused of inventing jam music (for better or for worse) but damned if he didn't shepherd it along for over 30 years. Sitting there from the 2nd row for close to 4 hours last night as members of Widespread Panic, the Allman Bros, Blues Traveler, Govt Mule, The Rolling Stones, Leftover Salmon, R.E.M., Tedeschi Trucks, etc rotated on and off stage was magical and awe-inspiring. No one mailed it in like so many benefit concerts. People played like it mattered with an intensity and passion befitting Col. Bruce. Maybe it's because I've gotten older, had my priorities & passions redirected to my boys, or just list some of my enthusiasm for it but I find myself getting taken "there" by music less and less in recent years. Last night brought it back note by note and it felt incredible. The encore started with a crazed spacey Zambiland into Lovlight as 30+ musicians filled the stage. As solos started making the rounds Col. Bruce walked over to the kid from School of Rock and motioned for him to start ripping. He then went down to a knee and seemingly gently down against a monitor. He stayed there through the kid's solo and it seemed like a classic one of the Col's gags. He told me once how he loved to tell the audience at every show that it was someone in the band's birthday. You just knew once the song got back around to the chorus he would jump up and tell us to turn on our lovelight or else start singing from the ground - which I have also seen him do. Pure theater was the Col's way. He was 1/3 musician, 1/3 showman and 1/3 carnival barker. Then the song stretched and stretched and you could see the faces on the musicians not 15 feet away who had been smiling and laughing and pointing begin to tighten up. As the crew ran in stage finally sensing this was real, Susan Tedeschi cut the song and show short and they tried to pull a curtain across the stage. Standing in the pit we could see side stage that EMTs were furiously - and I mean with lightening speed and pressure - administering CPR and chest compressions. At that point they pulled those side stage curtains shut and staff urged folks to leave. As we hit the street it was obvious most folks had no clue what had even happened. There was joy in the air. As an ambulance later pulled away near us I noted the crew in the back were sitting still rather than working on the patient we believed to be Col Bruce inside. Never a good sign. By the time we downed waters and gatorades last night it was clear he had passed away. Only the Col. could have his wake and his birthday at the same time. It was befitting him with surreal joyousness and poignancy. I will spend some time processing what I experienced. The joy and the disbelief and now the loss of a musician I love. I have a picture of Col. Bruce and I somewhere at home. Taken at Alley Katz as we were deep into a long discussion about pro wrestling, baseball and music. The Col told me I knew all I needed to get by in life with my knowledge of those three topics. It was a special moment for me. Rest easy Col. Bruce. Thank you for taking me along on your journey and helping to lead me along my own for the last 30 years. https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18221789_10155130101659…
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...he sure could sing a tune. His songwriting, presentation on stage and honest delivery of those songs could stir one's heart. Thanks for the decades of music, thanks for helping us understand life, thanks for helping us to feel safe. You are one larger than life member of our musical family, and we can smile inside knowing... ...That you're waiting from the backroads By the rivers of our memories Ever smilin' ever gentle on our minds... Close your eye for a couple of minutes and give him a listen if'n you have a chance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBxnfvv33c Rest in Peace Glen Campbell.
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13 years 8 months
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There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray(There'll be no sadness, no sorrow, my Lord, no trouble, trouble I see) There will be peace in the valley for me Well the bear will be gentle And the wolf will be tame And the lion shall lay down, down by the lamb, oh yes And the beasts from the wild Shall be led by a child And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes There Will Be Peace In The Valley someday....
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6 years 9 months
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We will always remember your crazy laugh, your rippin’ Guitar playing, your love of helping people, and what a beautiful soul you still are. 24 is far to young. I know you are playing with Jerry, Jimi Tom, and Stevie Ray, because that’s what heaven would be to you. Fare Thee Well my dear son.
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9 years 9 months
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Subject says it all.
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9 years 9 months
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Our friend in music John Perry Barlow figured it out pretty early in life, and we are all the richer because of it. Many of us used his lyrics as mantras for life, taking us down paths that needed no road...and now, now he needs no road, and we travel on. Thank you John Barlow for gracing our lives, for sharing your gifts, for giving us so much. Priceless. Know you will be missed by many and honored by so many more. Rest in Peace.
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6 years 7 months
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HIGH ! ! ! RUBY FROM LONG BEACH IS BACK ! ! ! I , HUMBLY , STATE : THANK YOU VERY MUCH ! ! ! TO : EVERY , BEAUTIFUL , SOUL , IN WHICH : I , RUBY FROM LONG BEACH , HAVE PROVIDED : LOVE ! ! ! TO . MAY I , HUMBLY , ASK : MAY MY : GRATEFUL DEAD FAMILY , PLEASE , RECEIVE : THE FURTHUR BUS . . . WITH , I , HUMBLY , ASK , A : CRIB ? SHAKEDOWN STREET IS : WITHIN : FULL , FORCE ! ! !
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My friend Marky passed over the weekend unexpectedly. I will sure miss our talks along the ride. He always had a kind word, and never tired of listening to me talk about Dale and missing him. Pain comes in many forms, and some you cannot see. I hope you are able to be free Marky, you were a good man in a fallen world. PEACE~

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I miss my good friend George who used to cruise with me to shows and other great places in the cherry 69 chevelle. We would drive to the New Jersey meadow lands and party till the wheels fell off. Good times my departed friend!!! -- Carlo F.

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17 years 4 months
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so I will post this 'fare thee well' for my father who is now on hospice care (pancreatic and liver cancer) and will soon give up this mortal coil.

As Bob said after Lowell George died (at the Portland Raceway show in 1979) "he was good while he lasted."

Dad's heart was his gift to all of us.

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."

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Dad turned 92 in November, they thought he had kidney stones and started treatment but when the doctor performed the ultra-sound, it turned into ultra-'Oh NO' when they saw the massive tumor on his pancreas that had migrated (metastasized) to his liver.

Chick lived a great life, he was one of the 'greatest generation.' World War !!, multiple careers, last one running a resort in northern Minn. Lived there year round with my 88 year old mother, they celebrated their 67th anniversary this summer.

I will never forget one beautiful summer evening about 40 years ago, I put Garcia's first album on Dad's stereo, and cranked "The Wheel" and discussed the philosophical aspects of Hunter's words with my father. And Chick listened, and thought about what I was saying. And at one point he said to me "Yes, I get it, .......but can we turn it down a bit?" ;o}

He taught me so much by how he lived, and he even tried to tip his toe into my deadhead world.

What a guy.

"teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."

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Many of us had the good fortune to meet her over the years. I'm happy I knew her a little bit, starting from the time she got in touch with me to put a couple of my photos in the Grateful Dead Family Album. She passed on yesterday after much ill health for many years, and is much missed.
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Met Jerilyn Brandelius with Mickey Hart at a Halloween 1974 Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders show. Some small auditorium on Geary Boulevard in the Richmond District out towards the Cliff House and Sutro Park. Both were very kind. Big smiles as I remember.
The San Francisco foggy ruins of time.

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8 years 10 months

In reply to by Strider 808808

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Jerilyn's book is wonderful.
I hope to hear more of her story & stories.

If anyone has other memories or stories to share, please do.

Thanks for letting us know MaryE.
My Condolences.

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Last year my father Don Hill passed away and today his only and older brother Ken Hill passed away. My father was an automotive mechanic and raised my brother and I on Jerry Garcia's music, he went to over a hundred Grateful Dead shows. My uncle was a printer and had many pets and friends and helped many people quit drinking alcohol saving their lives, he went to over 300 Grateful Dead shows and probably saw Jerry play more than anyone but the band members. They were the biggest Grateful Dead fans and important members of their communities. Their love for their music lives on through us and our friends whom cover Grateful Dead here in Sacramento, Ca.
One love.

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This is the time of year when both my parents passed on. Mom back in 2nd week of September 1972, Dad eight years later 1st week of September 1980.
I’m the last of the siblings above ground.
Strong medicine. September is a bittersweet time of year. The harvest and the scythe.
Dean, your father and uncle must have been great men.
Readers, try to live life with meaning and passion.

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7 years 9 months
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My cousin Ronna who back in the 70"s gave me tapes to listen to when I was just a little kid has past away. She started me on this long strange trip with just a few tapes. She went to Egypt and the European tours with the band, she loved the band more then life itself. She was a teacher, she was a sweet heart of a person that I will miss for the rest of my days. She was a real Deadhead who was dedicated to the band and to making this world a better place. Bless you Ronna, until we meet again.

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Some here may remember Johnman and Mona from the early days of Dead Net. Both from the Pacific Northwest who became friends in this place. Both kind, generous and feisty Deadheads who endured a lot of troubles and always came back smiling. I was lucky enough to meet them (and Hal too) just the once at the Furthur show in Edgefield in September 2012, where Mona so kindly looked after JM who had trouble getting about . Both had been ill for some time, and both passed away towards the end of last year. I have not been on this site much lately, but I was thinking about them today and thought some here might remember them and want to know. Fine, fine people.

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17 years 5 months
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A lot of us here in the Bay Area are reeling from the loss of Scoop, who first came to our attention as the intrepid news guy on KSAN ("If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own") and later KFOG with M. Dung. Also a legend in local Buddhist circles and the author of many (highly recommended) books on Crazy Wisdom. Safe travels, Scoop. Thank you.
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Hello! I wanted to make a post about my uncle, Scott Powers. He was a self-identified Dead Head. He loved the Grateful Dead, even had a tattoo on his back. I believe the music helped him get through really dark times such as abuse, addiction, and mental health crises. He died on December 31st, 2023. I have been doing research into the Grateful Dead in preparation for his celebration of life and came across this page. I just wanted to shout him out and remember him for the grateful dead, silly, and loving person he was. R.I.P. SCOTT POWERS!

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you raised four boys, and we had a wild and wonderous household.

Relentless optimism, encouragement, and the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. Norma often said "you will never know if you don't try." Boy, did we take her at her word and we all tried a lot. She challenged us to think creatively, be generous, and to practice compassion.

93 years young but these last 5 years were especially difficult for her following Dad's passing. Numerous medical complications but she was on hospice for the last two weeks with family surrounding her. Then early Saturday morning, Mom was gone. Love you forever and for always.

"She sang a little while, and then flew off"

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4 years 2 months

In reply to by Oroboros

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I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing.

It's a tough milestone to go through.

A raise of the glass to her, you, and yours.

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3 years 3 months

In reply to by Oroboros

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sorry to hear about your loss. Sounds like she did a fine Job.May she rest easy.

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10 years 1 month
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Sincere condolences on your loss.
Best wishes for you and your brothers during this difficult time.
Cheers to Mom

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17 years 4 months

In reply to by marye

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My heart goes out to you - no one like Mom.

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17 years 4 months

In reply to by Deadicated

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"See, music is infinite. There’s an infinite number of ways to do it, an infinite number of melodies that can go with a one-four-five progression, it’s absolutely infinite, no floors, no ceiling.” Phil Lesh

Box of Rain soothed my soul, Phil.

Rest in Peace.

" Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."