I was thinking to visit Alfred today at his workplace.
I walked in and his employer told me that he passed away last Friday.
Apparently he died of heart attack on the train, and the paramedic are unable to save him.
Due to the fact that he had paranoid tendency he never carry ID with him, no one was notified and no one was there to identify him.
When he did not show up at work, his employee tried to contact him, and after a few days of trying, he called the police and posted a missing person alert.
The police called back a day ago with a photograph of him from the coroner.
He is 68 years old.

I known Alfred for about 23 years, he live alone and has no family. No one know that he passed away until the police found him.
Alfred was an eccentric man with teutonic single minded determination on his art.
He was a wizard in all things welding and he was the one that thought me the fine art of beer drinking.
He was there for me when my daughter was born, he was there when I just opened my shop, he was always there when I needed help, he was always there for me... and now he is gone.
He always visited me in my store and always brought a couple bottles of beer to enjoy together.
We always talk and bullshit for a long time... discussing from politics to science to dark art of magic..
He talk me out of smoking and always advise me to lose some weight.
He was a great man and my friend.
He never judged me, only offers advice when I needed it.
I am closer to him than I am with my own father.

I miss him sorely.

You will miss him for sure, but maybe you should also be happy and thankfull a little because he was you friend...
maybe you're feeling sad now, just because all the good things he brought to you. May I suggest to drink another beer with him? I'm sure he'll appreciate it.
Remember: the good guys go first as a kind of punishment to the lesser good guys...

Thanks Aloy

I am sincerely sorry for your and his loss, your description of your exceptional friendship sounds like you each filled a special place in each others lives. A rare friend that many never find. God bless.

Aloys...your words are beautiful mate, and so true. I still say Hi to my Dad regularly and drink a beer to his memory.

I've already said to you how I feel Gelan, and Aloys words capped it off perfectly mate.

Rest In Peace Alfred, your friends are your family and rest knowing that each and every one of them miss you like a brother.

I'm very sorry for your loss.

That is really tough. I am sorry to hear of your loss. All the best...
Gil

Not good Darwin, I know how you feel.
What to say?
Remember him and the good times those will never leave you.
It is unfortunately an all to common occurrence in middle age.
Occurences like this refocus the important things in life.
Stay well mate.

Thanks guys.

mate..use some of that skill he taught you and make up a beer bottle opener with all the special craftmanship you can muster.....maybe twisted welded wire Damascus or some such...then you can salute your lost Buddy when you crack open a brew......
I lost a great mate 5 years back and still think of him everytime I cast a spinner after trout or visit a spot where we hunted together, it used to hurt but now brings a smile when I think of him, Im sure you will be the same.

Thats a good idea Elvis.
It will be a fitting tribute to him.