I know I owe you ALL
Hello's,
Prayers and,
PD and, I wish that for ALL of you!
Here's the most recent link/article about DBIL's death/life. His family and I found it very comforting/fun.........
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/15478967.htm IF that doesn't work, here's the article.......
Posted on Sat, Sep. 09, 2006
Remembering a fan
By David Pollak
Mercury News
Photo by Mike Lamar / Special to the Mercury News
Greg Raye in section 209 of the HP Pavillion during a Sharks game.
Sign a guestbook for Gregory Raye
The thousands who fill HP Pavilion for Sharks games didn't know Gregory Raye by name. But they knew his voice.
He sat in section 209, the rowdiest spot in the building. And when it came to that group's funny, rude, perhaps over-the-line chants, he was their ringleader.
``He used to like to say, `They say San Jose is the loudest arena in the NHL, and we're the loudest section in the arena, and I'm the loudest fan in the section. So I must be the loudest fan in the NHL,' '' his friend Mike Lamar recalled.
Lemar and others in section 209 are adjusting to the fact they now will have to get along without him. Raye's body was found Sept. 1 near the 13,570-foot summit of Mount Brewer, four days after his son reported the Campbell man missing during a solo hike in the Sierra.
Raye, 50, an artist and experienced outdoorsman, was on a two-week backpacking trip in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. The cause of death is under investigation, a parks spokesman said, but it appears he fell into a steep, narrow chute while trying to reach the peak.
Lamar accompanied Raye on a similar trip three years ago, and remembers him as ``a very good hiker and mountain man.'' He also remembers Raye's preference for avoiding the main trails.
``He had this really good hiking book that would tell you the off-trail routes,'' Lamar said. ``Some of it was pretty rugged. You couldn't make too much distance in a day, but the scenery was awesome. We were up over 10,000 feet a whole week and never came in contact with anyone else.''
News of Raye's death had an immediate impact on fans in section 209, many of whom have become a tight-knit group over the years. Tributes began appearing in the chat room on the Sharks' Web site, and those words provided comfort to Raye's family in Illinois.
``I knew Greg was a huge Sharks fan and he was pretty popular there,'' said Carol Nykaza, Raye's sister. ``I went on their chat room and all of a sudden I saw this thread and it was amazing how people really loved Greg.''
The thread included some debate over the appropriateness of language -- ``Hey, Dallas: you suck'' -- in some of section 209's cheers, but nearly all were saddened by his death.
``Greg was so enthusiastic about each chant,'' one person wrote. ``It made games fun when there was nothing to cheer about. He will be missed by all who enter the Tank. Thank you Greg, you made a difference.''
Nykaza said her father was ``just overwhelmed. He couldn't believe they were talking about Greg. The guy didn't have a nickel to his name, but he was rich, he was rich.''
One of eight children, Raye grew up in Chicago and became a hockey fan back when there were just six teams in the NHL. Each season, he harangued every Sharks opponent -- except his hometown Blackhawks.
In the early 1970s, Raye enlisted in the Air Force, Nykaza said, and that brought him to California for the first time. Following a divorce not long after the birth of his son, Raye returned to Chicago and attended the American Academy of Art.
In 1984, he returned to the West Coast.
``I think he wanted to be with Greg Jr.,'' his sister said. ``And he just loved it out there. He loved nature and he loved his hockey.''
When the Sharks entered the NHL, in 1991, Raye became a fixture.
``He was the most passionate fan I've ever seen,'' said Genevieve Jimenez, who sat in front of Raye. ``He taught me how to be a good fan.''
Sitting one row from the top of the arena's upper bowl, Raye would explain the subtleties of the game to those who were new to the sport. He also enforced hockey etiquette -- stay in your seat while the puck is in play, don't block anyone's view.
But mostly, he became a fan voice that delivered digs with a smile. If a skater went offside, ``Where's your discipline?'' would rain down. When a power play ended, he would modify a line from ``South Park'' and cry out, ``Oh my God! They killed the penalty!''
Lamar said much of Raye's success came down to timing.
``He was really good about finding a lull. One time, they were playing Vancouver and it was kind of quiet,'' Lamar said. ``Players were already getting off ice and he yelled, `Get off the ice, Messier.' We saw Messier turn his head and look up in our direction. Greg was so proud.''
An Irish wake is scheduled for Oct. 14 at O'Flaherty's in San Pedro Square, and the Sharks are planning to mention his passing in an upcoming newsletter. But friends are trying to come up with other ways to honor Raye. One proposal: figure out how to keep his seat vacant all season, a missing-man formation of sorts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Online tributes to Gregory Raye can be found at
http://boards.sj-sharks.com/ forums. Contact David Pollak at
dpollak@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5940.
He also has/had a mini-website with his paintings but, it includes nudes so, I can't/shouldn't post the link here. If you're interested either PM me or, Google Gregory Raye. His site shows up.
Thanks for listening.
Once I get this test overwith, I'll be sleeping like I"m in a coma 
I agree with the email notifications being slow, I've had this problem for awhile now 
!! Hope you had fun1!! 
I'm glad you're posting here again to amuse and entertain me! That is the point, right? 
20 days to go till trip 
I haven't been there in literally 10 years. I would like to go back soon
I will continue to pray for you and send you lots of PD 
Kinda wish it was more like this 
