Beyond that I’m deeply saddened to hear this, and extending my condolences to you, Bibliocat, and to his family, I do not know what to say. Horrible news. I keep thinking back to my first Gettysdope, and how I met him there so many years ago.
If I remember correctly, you’re both right. I think Danceswithcats and Biblio met at the GettysDope that pseudotriton ruber ruber attended, and they became close at a Dope-the-Halls.
Memorial planning will take place on the MADopers email list; I’ll post here once a plan is set.
Airman was right. I am crushed. Weirddave was kind enough to call me this evening to let me know.
Paul was one of my closest friends, not just on the SDMB, but in real life. We talked or chatted somewhat regularly, and when we did, it was for quite a while. Even though we were opposites politically, we never let that get in the way of our friendship.
I saw him many times at Dopefests. He always seemed like the life of the party to me. I guess I have no ability to diagnose depression. My condolences to all of his family and friends.
Scuba Ben, yes, let’s have a get-together over Labor Day Weekend in his memory.
I don’t know what to say. Paul was someone I deeply respected and cared about. He took in not one but TWO of my cats when I could no longer care for them (due to fighting and spraying in relation to other cats in the house). He was relentlessly kind and helpful to anyone I ever knew of. I’ve been to his house, I’ve been to get-togethers with him… I cared about him a lot and considered him one of my closer online friends. In fact, I had been frustrated that he never responded to my emailed inquiries for a street address (which I used to have but had lost) to send him an invitation to my wedding in May.
I am very distraught and saddened by this news. My heart goes out to Bibliocat, whom I know he cared DEEPLY for and can only assume that his abrupt “resignation” from that relationship was to spare her the grief of what he knew he was planning to do. I can’t express my sadness that he chose to do what he did, though I can understand it, having been there myself. All I can do is wish the very best for him in the “whatever comes next” and to offer my sincere condolences to those who also knew him.
RIP, Paul. I wish you had realized how awesome a dude you were.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this. BiblioCat, strength and peace to you, and all of his loved ones. I echo the others who say please, please don’t second-guess yourself with the “if onlys”.