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FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ANIMALS
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Until she died on January 6, 2003, the foremost person in my life was my wife of 22 years, Marie. A very talented painter, she was on her way to becoming a bona fide artist when she was suddenly and unexpectedly stricken.
Marie was a wonderful person and irreplaceable companion. For more about her, please visit her Memorial Web Site: www.marie-billings.com.
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My sister, Dorothy, is an anthropologist, educator, and world traveler. Then there's my daughter Bridget and her husband Kaz Bilinski. And my son Bruce and his wife, Emily, and my five wonderful grandchildren: Sandy, Cathy, Bruce Jr., Eric, and Erica.
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Marie and I were guardians of five cats which she found and brought home, and they are still with me. They are:
Thomas Kataputamus (aka Tom Cat)
Allison Feline (aka Ally Cat)
Oscar Bonzo, The Dreaded Shadaputamus (aka Shadow)
Little Dude (aka Dude-ette), and
Mooly Wooly Blueboo (aka Blue) who can't meow
Two other wonderful cats with whom we were privileged to be associated have gone west. They were:
Robert Goodebeaste (aka Bob Cat) and
Tiny Pysche (not to be confused with "Psyche")
We also had a marvelous Iguana fittingly named "Iggy." She was Marie's pride and joy. An excellent new home has been found for her now that Marie is gone.
Business associate for over 20 years, Dick Fletcher's friendship wears like a very comfortable pair of old shoes. With Larry McDonald, we continue to seek our fortune with software called "RightWord Diction-Checker." Unable to get venture capital backing for this product everyone who hears about it says they want to buy, we fueled its development with passion, perspiration, and perseverance. Having completed its development in November, 2005, we continue to seek funding with which to market it properly.
Audrey and David Howitt have grown close over the last dozen years, he as choir master, organist extraordinaire, musical director, and now collaborator in the creation of an all-new Christmas musical. And Audrey was close to crucial in our scheme of things. Vocal coach for both Marie and me, our attorney, and all around good friend and confidant. Of her, Marie often said, "Audrey did more to help me relax and be happy about myself than all of my therapists over all of those years put together." And on that score, Marie was surely right. I saw it.
My other friends are too legion to catalog, and to name a few of them here would not do justice to all the rest. I hope all of them who could be mentioned here will understand why all of them have been omitted.
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