Tuesday, February 23, 2016
To All the Vreugdenhil Family, Friends of Tim, and most especially his son, Shane -
Please accept my deepest sympathies...
Tim was a classmate of mine - back in his earliest elementary school days at Gilbertsville Central School. We were "kids who lived up and down the street" from each other. He lived closest to the school, on Sylvan St. at that time, and I lived on the lower end of Spring St.
Tim was one of a handful of young boys who'd spend hours playing basketball on our backyard dirt-based 1/2 court, authentically created, game after game by ball dribbling and the canvas sneakers, trompling and shuffling into man-to-man defense bent on blocking opponent's slam dunks into the perfectly mounted (i.e. much lower-than-regulation-height) basketball hoop on the side of our barn. It was a time when summertime meant – mornings spent on the school playground for summer recreation program, and afternoons, partially spent using barefeet to pop tar-bubbles on the patched roadway walking to and from swimming lessons at Meadow Brook.
In all of these memories - Tim was someone I recall as being friendly, happy, and good-hearted! I’d not seen Tim once the family relocated to CA. So, I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to unexpectedly see and speak with him 2-3 yrs ago in Gilbertsville, running into him at the reception following a memorial service we’d both attended for the parent of another mutual childhood friend. I also had a chance to be introduced to Shane.
During our brief chat I couldn’t help but be struck by how clearly the essence of this strong, tall, hulk of a man was exactly as that of the young school boy from 40 yrs before. Without specific words spoken, there was a tenderhearted genuineness, palpable from his very presence, the kind of thing that can't be consciously conjured up and exuded - it's just there! Referring to him as a gentle giant I'm sure sounds cliché, but it’s how I will always remember him…a very special quality.
From reading other's condolence entries - I am gathering that Tim had been ill, though I do not know any details. I'm sure that such a soul as his will be ready to shine his light whenever he can on difficult times here on earth.
Shane, I send you a huge hug at this especially difficult time, and ask that God and others nearby help support you, hear you, and be there with you. God Bless you!
