D Day (2026 Version)

[donlever]

I could have posted this in the ongoing thread but my feeling is that, without spewing excessive drama, the impact of event and ongoing thoughts and memories, whatever depth or brief flashes in which they manifest, result in an OP representative of the individual in question.

Corn can move this, pin it, or let it float in the HT Forum for the time being.

July 25, 2025 @ 11:24 PM

The significance of that date is it represents the last time Doc Strangelove logged into this GDHTMB.

We have all spoken about Docs loss to our community, (and yes, surely the agonies felt by his spouse, children, grandkids, siblings, extended family and friends is beyond what we can rationalize or comprehend), but it is my belief the one year anniversary of his passing (because for us that mark in the calender is our date of loss) is worthy of a recognition post.

Like the rest of us I continue to age and as time hastens its way by in all our lives memories fade, so I do not recall exactly when the organic germanation of the other place transpired but certainly in the late '90's.

The weight of this constitutes that, albeit digital and not physical, I (we, for many of us) had a relationship with the poster for a quarter of a century plus.

That's a long time.

Doc was many things and my intention is to neither wax poetic nor itemize positives and/or negatives (for some, let's face it, in reality we all carry good and bad inside us and if we all agreed upon the minutiae of life we would be Stepford Wives) but rather to broadcast to our (close knit) Community a substance of loss to each of us and the board we continue to inhabit.

As many of you experienced as well my enduring relationship with Doc was an overall positive to my GDHTMB persona as well as to me as a human being.

Again, as many of you did, he and I had many personal and interesting discussions over the years of varying shapes and sizes and several of those in May, June and July of last year elevated themselves well beyond whatever a "normal" message board relationship is.

In no way do I suggest that this is central nor exclusive to donlever, I know for a fact this is the case for several of you.

My point is however much the sadness of the moment resulted in the enhancement of dialogue intensity I am glad it happened and will forever remember those conversations (I have many of them saved and read them over once in a blue moon).

Doc was, among many other things, an intellectual, a poet, a challenger, a humorist and an asshole.

Also a devoted family man and friend.

And, like us all, a long suffering and dedicated Canuck fan.

I miss his presence.

Some of you may have seen this, others not, but shortly after we accepted the fact he was gone I posted this in one of the OF threads (that was one of his "stomping ground" favs, Poetry Corner, to enlighten us with his thoughts)...


Poetry Corner at CC
A place where odes from Doc reigned free
Whether limericks of quirk
Or 5 7 5 Haiku
Man nor thing was safe
Oh yes 'tis true

Will fail to match
His efforts here
Due to talents dirth
For me I fear

But this attempt
Must I endeavor
As to know you Doc
Was my great pleasure

This poor poem
I hope you view
From whence you landed
To a life now new

Lever...10/10/2025

Doc....however much my doubts exist I honestly hope your faith proved to be factual and you are out there somewhere in the cosmic energy fields kicking ass and taking names.

In addition....

We are all aware there are several current posters struggling with health issues.

To all of you, although we are "only" online colleagues let it be know that our thoughts and hopes are with you.

[Cornuck]

Donnie - thank you for posting this. I was planning to do something similar, but I would have been nowhere nearly as eloquent as you have been.

He was such a presence here that I often think, "What would Doc think of this post?" - or I just miss that I don't see his reply to something that is either profound, funny, or stupid.

We've had many posters come and go from this (and other sites), but none were more a part of the site than Doc.

[Megaterio Llamas]

This is one of those rare occasions when I wish we had the ability to upvote a post here.

+1 Donny and thanks.

[Cousin Strawberry]

Lever that was moving my friend...very well written

Doc was larger than life with character of the finest order.

A prick to many yet felt like the oldest of friends to some even though we have no idea who you even were.

I miss your goofy and stubborn religious takes on existential debates. I miss your tales of the woodbooger lady, your appreciation of everything Cheech and Chong.

Weirdly his passion wasn't hockey at all.

Who was this guy!?!?!

[Hockey Widow]

He was one of the first to welcome me when I arrived. And looked out for me when I was learning the ropes. He went looking for me when that old board collapsed and helped me find my way here.

I do miss him.

[donlever]

Right....forgot that dynamic entirely.

Doc and I had so much respect for each other we were able to amicably share Wids all these years.

To her great benefit of course....

Well stated HW....

[Cousin Strawberry]

I've never seen a respectable spit roast before yet here we are