RIP Defcon

Yes, John and I went way back.  He had just moved to Maplewood and began attending Jefferson School in the 3rd or 4th grade...  but we were definitely in the same class in 5th grade and best buddies.  After school we'd head into Maplewood Village or to his house, which is a 2-minute walk off of Maplewood Ave. We were into gadgets and geek stuff and making money by helping local businesses leaflet houses in Millburn.  (I used my money to buy baseball cards).  His father, a Westpoint grad, had, among many gadgets, a phone modem that you had to plug an actual phone headset into; we used to dial into some computer somewhere and play Star Trek.  The modem was attached to a small thermal printer an the position of our fleet were fed to us by this small fax machine.  Both of his parents owned and ran the Bee and Thistle in the village (on Baker St.) until only recently.   In high school we found other groups of friends, but would always meet up on Ultimate Frisbee nights in the teacher's parking lot and had some friends in common there.  After that we'd sporadically meet up for a game of Dungeons & Dragons, where he was the dungeon master and regaled in our punishments as he set chimeras and orcs upon our group.  He'd dress for the  part, too.  He liked to tell a tale and add embellishments, add theatricality.  At one point he told us he was a member of the band Kraftwerk.  Or at least an extra.  Or perhaps just liked to dress like them. I never really knew his politics or even asked.  I could guess he veered sharply toward being libertarian.    Marrying Maggie really helped channel his energies into things like his Defcon hot sauce brand, which I hear she is  continuing on.   He will be missed.


Dave, the recollection you shared of John was lovely. Thank you. If you haven't already done so I suggest you share this with John's folks and Maggie. 


Maggie may be able to funeral reimbursement:

https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/covid-funeral-reimbursement-now-9000-heres-how-to-apply-today/

Who can apply to get reimbursed for COVID-19 related funeral expenses?

You can apply for COVID-19 related funeral reimbursement if you meet the following criteria, according to FEMA:

  • The death must have occurred in the US, including the US territories and the District of Columbia.
  • The funeral costs were incurred after Jan. 20, 2020.
  • The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
  • The applicant must be a US citizen, noncitizen national or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020.
  • There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a US citizen, noncitizen national or qualified alien.
  • There is no income requirement.

There are many asking for help in paying their COVID medical expenses. The disgrace is we're lacking a healthcare system where healthcare is a covered right with minimal patient expenses. Consequently as we see in those the absence of medical bankruptcies.

Our system is not sustainable.



sac -I am Dave's and Jamie's mother, Pat Ross. Their father,my husband ,Malcolm Ross passed away many years ago.I guess it's about time I used my real name! Will have to figure it out.


galileo said:

sac -Galileo is Dave's and Jamie's mother, Pat Ross. His father,my husband ,Malcolm Ross passed away many years ago.

 My sincere apologies for making that gender assumption.  


galileo said:

sac -Galileo is Dave's and Jamie's mother, Pat Ross. His father,my husband ,Malcolm Ross passed away many years ago.

 Hi Pat!  I knew you posted here but did not know the name you used.  It is always nice to put an IRL name/face to a user name. 


I am so sorry to read this. I had many fantastic times with Defcon at Bunny's. He has a unique energy and was a one of a kind. 

Thank you for the go fund me link. 

DEFCON ZERO SAUCE FOR EVER 


RTrent said:

Maggie may be able to funeral reimbursement:

https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/covid-funeral-reimbursement-now-9000-heres-how-to-apply-today/

Who can apply to get reimbursed for COVID-19 related funeral expenses?

You can apply for COVID-19 related funeral reimbursement if you meet the following criteria, according to FEMA:

  • The death must have occurred in the US, including the US territories and the District of Columbia.
  • The funeral costs were incurred after Jan. 20, 2020.
  • The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
  • The applicant must be a US citizen, noncitizen national or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020.
  • There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a US citizen, noncitizen national or qualified alien.
  • There is no income requirement.

There are many asking for help in paying their COVID medical expenses. The disgrace is we're lacking a healthcare system where healthcare is a covered right with minimal patient expenses. Consequently as we see in those the absence of medical bankruptcies.

Our system is not sustainable.

 all of this is true. 

But even more reason for uninsured people to be vaccinated. 


Please get vaccinated if you have not already. Getting COVID does not have to be tragic.


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