#82372 - 09/16/09 08:26 PM
Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6042
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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You may not recognize the name on this forum, because Greg was a “lurker,” a person who came and read the posts here faithfully, but never himself posted here. For those of you who came to one of our first T-E get-togethers, at the original Trader Vic’s in Los Angeles, you may have met him and his wife Judy, as they showed up there to surprise us.
Greg died last weekend, in his 50s, of a rapidly-growing cancer. He had been a close personal friend and “kindred spirit” of ours for ten years.
We first met Greg and Judy on Moorea in 1999. They were Americans staying at Les Tipaniers on Moorea, and we were staying at the Beachcomber (now, the Intercontinental). We were dining in the Les Tips roadside restaurant one night, and struck up a conversation at adjoining tables. They adored Moorea, and so did we, we found we had a lot in common, and dubbed ourselves “kindred spirits” that night. We pushed our tables together for an after-dinner cocktail, and talked for hours until they kicked us out, as the restaurant was closing.
For the next ten years, we met up with Greg and Judy every summer on Moorea, but not by pre-arranged plan. Although we soon became dear fast friends, we actually never communicated with each other during the rest of the year – no phone calls, emails, letters, or visits. They traveled to FP every July and so did we. When we arrived, we each checked out the location we knew the other would be – for them, Les Tipaniers; for us, Moorea Village, and then assorted pensions and Fare Miti after Moorea Village closed.
Greg would just suddenly show up outside my kitchen window on Moorea while I was washing dishes, and just look at me until I noticed him and screamed, “GREG!” Then we would all gather together for a sunset happy hour or a dinner at a restaurant or all all-day Hinano party, to talk about what we’d all been through during the intervening year, and what cool things we were now doing while on Moorea. It was as if we had never been separated for a year; we just took up where we left off!
If we arrived first, we would visit Les Tipaniers, find out what date they were arriving, and leave them a note with contact information about where we were. This occurred every single July for ten years.
We shared eerily common experiences: the difficulties our kids were going through, the final illnesses and deaths of our parents. And our love of Moorea! Greg and Judy were much more adventurous than we were: they visited out-islands most people have never heard of, were very athletic, and did scuba and diving tours we would never attempt. They had many dear, dear local friends on Fakarava, Bora Bora, and Moorea, who invited them to stay in their homes.
Greg saw the first “green flash” of the horizon sunset from our bungalow on Moorea. What a celebration that was!
Greg and Judy were there on Moorea when Tereva was “born” last year, and were among the first to be photographed with her, as she began her travels.
This past summer, in July 2009, was our last visit with Greg, on Moorea. He was obviously ill, had symptoms that had been initially diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes, and had lost a lot of weight. We worried about him, but he had the same joyful spirit as always, and denied being seriously ill; he refused to go home early, and completed their six week vacation. After their departure from Moorea and return home, Greg was hospitalized for a month, diagnosed with this terrible cancer, and died this past weekend in Hospice.
Greg had one of the kindest, most loving spirits we have ever encountered in our lives! He was a wonderful husband and father, was truly an "old soul," with his understanding and neat philosophy of everything universal. His understanding and adoration of all things Tahitian was amazing. He had a true joy of life, and he lived in the present. He probably had more awesome experiences in this life than most of us would ever be brave enough to endeavor, regardless of age.
We are in shock, and I grieve with Judy and their kids for her loss, and ours. I can honestly say that, over the years, he and Judy had become among our dearest friends, both on Moorea or elsewhere. Simply put: we loved him. He was an amazing man, and he will be greatly missed. He also has many dear friends in FP who are mourning his untimely passing.
Please say a prayer tonight, and learn a lesson from his wonderful life: “Carpe diem”! Live for today; don’t wait for tomorrow to enjoy your life. If there is something you want to do in your life, do it now... Tomorrow may be too late.
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#82373 - 09/16/09 08:29 PM
Re: Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6042
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Greg & Judy with Tereva: July 2008
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#82376 - 09/16/09 11:07 PM
Re: Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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vaitape
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/09/02
Posts: 1301
Loc: socal
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Well, where to begin?
Barbara, We're awed by your loving and eloquent tribute to Greg and send our sympathies to his wife Judy, and their children.....and to his extended family in the USA and in FP.
Greg shared his energy and love of life to others...and it with remains in those who knew him.....what a great legacy. When next watching a Tahitian sunset, we promise to say "Here's to you Greg,kindred spirit" and we will think of his lovely wife and best friend Judy as well as their children and friends such as you and Randy.
Sorry for your loss.
Carpe Diem for sure.
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#82381 - 09/17/09 06:07 AM
Re: Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
[Re: vaitape]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2302
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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What a lovely tribute to an amazing man, Barbi. It sounds like Greg fit more into his shortened life than most of us ever will be able to. Rest in peace, Greg, and may your memory live on in those who knew and loved you.
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#82382 - 09/17/09 07:20 AM
Re: Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
[Re: Old Wife]
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DenverJoe
Expert Advisor
Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 1849
Loc: Denver, Co.
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Barbi, sorry for your loss. It sounds like Greg was a good person. I'm sure you and his family will miss him.
_________________________
Nothing better than a Hinano in hand and toes in the sand.
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#82384 - 09/17/09 08:40 AM
Re: Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
[Re: DenverJoe]
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islandboyatheart
Expert Advisor
Registered: 07/19/05
Posts: 1368
Loc: Florida
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Barbi, My deepest regrets and sincerest condolences on the loss of your friend. Life truly is too short.
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#82389 - 09/17/09 11:02 AM
Re: Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
[Re: islandboyatheart]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6042
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Thanks for your kind words, everyone.
Joe, you will be staying in Greg & Judy's "home" bungalow on Moorea at Les Tips in November. Please lift a Hinano to him at sunset from your patio!
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#82390 - 09/17/09 11:07 AM
Re: Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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STM
Expert Advisor
Registered: 10/15/01
Posts: 1616
Loc: Oregon, USA
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It is amazing how a piece of land in the middle of an ocean can bind its visitors together.
Thank you, Barbi, for sharing Greg and Judy's story with us.
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#82391 - 09/17/09 11:14 AM
Re: Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
[Re: STM]
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DenverJoe
Expert Advisor
Registered: 09/10/02
Posts: 1849
Loc: Denver, Co.
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Barbi, after reading your post, I thought that was who you were talking about when you told me about #27.
I'll lift several Hinano's in his honor.
_________________________
Nothing better than a Hinano in hand and toes in the sand.
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#82399 - 09/18/09 06:13 PM
Re: Tribute to a Tahiti Lover & Forum "Lurker" - For Greg
[Re: DenverJoe]
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Gary & Cath
Expert Advisor
Registered: 04/01/06
Posts: 1243
Loc: Wollongong, Australia
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What a beautiful tribute, Barbi. Thank you for sharing part of Greg's legacy with us all.
_________________________
Is there anything better than a sipping a Tahitian Mai Tai on an Overwater Bungalow in FP?
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