My friend George was one of the most likable people I've ever known. He was from New York and I never found out why he and his wife lived here.

George had a joke or laugh to share with me every single time I saw him. He called me "Youngin". "Hey youngin, where you been? I haven't seen you in a while."

He had a hard life. His wife was always sick and to be honest, I never heard her say a kind word to him. They had no car so George walked every where he went. He was always running errands for other people and he had a smile for everyone.

Tuesday night my friend Cher saw George on the elevator. He was coughing so much he couldn't even talk. Wednesday morning he was found on his deck.

Cher found out yesterday and called and said to come and see her when I got home. We are stunned. George was so vital, so energetic, so alive and now he's gone.

He was a good man. I miss him already.