THE DUCK LIGHTING

As many of you know, Bill loved Ducks. One of the things we both recalled from our youth was the Duck building that we passed on trips to Montauk. I found this news item that I know I would have shared with him, so I share it with you.

Long Island Celebrates Holiday Season With 'Duck-Lighting' Ceremony

FLANDERS, N.Y. (AP) -- Who needs Rockefeller Center when you have the Big Duck?

It was 1931 when construction workers at Rockefeller Center put up a modest Christmas tree to begin what would become one of New York City's greatest traditions. That same year, a Long Island farmer decided to build a giant duck-shaped shop where he could sell fresh ducks and eggs by the side of the road.

Seventy-five years later, as millions watch Christina Aguilera, Sting and Bette Midler perform at the Rockefeller Center tree-lighting, a much smaller group will gather 75 miles to the east to light the Big Duck.

A volunteer fire department, a middle-school choir and local baseball team mascot named "Quacker Jack'' will light up the 20-foot-tall duck. Santa Claus will arrive atop a fire truck and youngsters will sing carols.

The duck will be decorated with a huge wreath around its neck and holiday garland and lights around its base.

The Big Duck is on the National Register of Historic Places.

In the 1950s and '60s, Long Island boasted about 70 duck farms, raising $6.5 million birds annually and contributing two-thirds of the nation's duck output.

Today, Long Island is down to three farms that raise about two million ducks annually - about ten percent of the nation's output.

THANKSGIVING VISIT

My wife and I drove up to Delaware to surprise the family this Thanksgiving. On Friday, my dad, Cindy and I drove to The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa to visit Bill's grave. Here are some pictures from our visit.





The interior and exterior of the Shrine Chapel where Bill's funeral mass was said.








Bill's final resting place and the mausoleum where his remains are interred. Anyone that ever received a Holiday card from Bill knows that he enjoyed the festiveness of the season. That's why my mom and sister thought that hanging the ornament would be appropriate.



My dad, Cindy and I during our visit.

THANKSGIVING

It seems strange to be thinking about Thanksgiving this year. In the year that Bill died, it almost hard to think of things to be thankful for but here goes my Top 10 list :

1. I'm thankful that I got to spend New Year's Eve with Bill.
2. I'm thankful that I got to spend Bill's last birthday with him.
3. I'm thankful that my new family got to meet Bill.
4. I'm thankful that, when the end came, Bill did not suffer long.
5. I'm thankful for Bill's friends who selflessly helped my family in Los Angeles.
6. I'm thankful for everyone who attended Bill's funeral and made it a day of special remembrances.
7. While I missed my brother at my wedding, I am thankful for my new family and the joy they have brought me during some difficult times this year.
8. I'm thankful for all of you who have sent an email and have stayed in touch.
9. I'm thankful for all of the photos that Bill left which have helped me get through some tough days.
10. Finally, I think that I can safely speak for my entire family when I say that we are thankful for Mike Groob who has helped in many ways, with his actions, his memories and his kind words.

BILL IN YAHOO TIME CAPSULE

I have made an entry remembering Bill the the Yahoo Time Capsule project. The project will be closed in the near future and reopened again in 2020.





Click here to view the entry.

BRILL REMEMBERS BILL

I recently received an email from Bill's friend Bob Brill. Bob has been in China since January and did not find out about Bill's death until a few weeks later. Here is an excerpt from his email:

Bill is someone I truly respected and asked advice from regularly.

He was truly an amazing person - granted I was not around for the "good years" but I was always amazed at his talent and his wit. I have never laughed so hard as when I was laughing with Bill. Working and being frineds with Bill really added to my life. He is someone that I will never forget and would regret if I never befriended. A true friend. I actually broke down and cried when I found out.

Bob also paid tribute to Bill's memory on his blog:

Guilao Bob In China

Thanks Bob!

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

You may have noticed that the email address for this blog has changed. While you will still be able to use the previous address for some time:

bukowskibigbukowski@yahoo.com

the new and simpler address is now in service....

big.bukowski@yahoo.com

CORONER'S REPORT

The coroner's report came in this past week and I opened it with mixed emotions: relief that we would finally know how Bill died, but also apprehension, since I might not really want to know the details.

To my family, the most important part of the report is where the coroner indicates that "the trauma present DID NOT contribute to his demise." He continues that it "was sustained as he collapsed." Based on this finding it seems that Bill died before he collapsed and thankfully did not suffer for an extended period of time.

Ultimately, Bill died of something called "Left Ventricular Hypertrophy." I will not even begin to try to explain what that is since I am still trying to fully grasp the meaning of the condition. Click here for a Google search result for more information.

I would like to thank everyone one of you who has stayed in touch during the last several months while we waited for these findings and I hope that you will continue to do so. It has been wonderful to get to know Bill from different perspectives.

Finally, I found this picture of Bill on the same day I received the report and it seems fitting to me that it be included in this post.