I met Launie the summer of 1978. In that respect, I went to visit some mutual friends of ours that were sharing a SW Calgary house with him. Because Launie was away working on the “rigs” I had not been introduced to him. Anyway, Launie came home from work in the middle of the afternoon and startled me, when he came bursting through the door sporting a serious chemical burn to his face and had no front teeth. I was laying on the communal living room couch, drinking cold beer, while listening to an excellent collection of classic rock albums (which as it turned out were mostly his). That said, when I saw Launie I hollered out to him “who the @#%* are you! He, in turn, hollered back at me, who the $%?& are you – I live here! I then, in turn, told him who I was and that there was cold beer in the fridge, and that there was one in there with his name on it. He laughed and said, all right, cool, do you play crib! We became friends right then and there. His friendship is one I will always cherish. I found a kindred spirit in Launie – which is a rare and precious thing – as it only happens a few times in one`s lifetime. I loved Launie and am proud to have counted him as one of my best friends. Needless to say, I will always remember him as, amongst many other things, as a kind hearted and good natured man. Launie, thank you for the many blessings you have brought into my life. I will always remember you and miss you while I am still on this planet. I look forward to the day when we meet again….
XOX Bill XOX
