On Sunday February 4th, friends, family and the FlyerTalk Community lost a kind and gentle soul in the passing of John A.

Having just returned from a trip to France, John was admitted to the hospital last week and released just a few days ago, however, complications resulting from his longtime struggle with AIDS proved too much for his immune system.

While preparing for his trip to France, we had traded travel books, mine a book on shopping and dining in Paris, his, a book on Tanzania, where he had planned on traveling to but had to cancel due to health issues some time ago. Upon his return from Paris, he sent me a note describing a chocolate shop from my travel book that was quite a find and thanked me for lending him my book. While my trip to Kenya and Tanzania is planned for 2002, I’ll remember his friendship and will be thinking of him while gazing upon Mt. Kilimanjaro and enjoying the serenity of the plains.

Family and friends are encouraged to remember John's life by joining in his internment at the Hills of Eternity Cemetery in Colma, CA at 1 p.m. on Thursday 2/8/2001. Following will be a memorial service at Temple Sha'ar Zahav, corner of Dolores St. & 16th St. at 3 p.m. and a reception immediately following at his home at 207 Corbett Ave. SF.

In lieu of gifts and flowers, John’s family has requested that memorial donations be made to Project Open Hand at 2720 - 17th St., SF CA 94110 or AIDS Benefits Counselors, 470 Castro St., SF CA 94114.

John had recently written a reply on FT regarding his attending a planned FT gathering in Oakland, CA this Friday and said “…I should be able to make it...assuming United doesn't come up with too tempting an e-fare elsewhere that weekend!”. I think John just got the ultimate e-fare, my condolences and prayers are with his family and friends.


[This message has been edited by raffy (edited 02-07-2001).]