Death of a friend. Someone I really liked.
Posted 04-04-2011 at 04:01 PM by CraigBlogClog
I would have liked to know him more. He really felt like a brother to me, but at least we got to spend the time together that we did. Rest In Peace Gabriel C. Campbell "Gabe"
In memory of Gabe:
I had the pleasure of getting to know Gabe at the Whisky Bar when he lived nearby in downtown Seattle, some years ago. I'm very saddened to hear of his passing and my condolences go out to his family for their loss.
Gabe was filled with character and whit and he made quite an impact on my life and almost all those around him. He was outgoing and cared for others and the world is dimmer with him no longer in it. I remember a time when we were drinking a few beers conversing and he turned to me and said 'Craig someday we're going to be old men sitting on these bar stools talking about the good old days', and we both laughed at the thought, knowing, and probably hoping, it wouldn’t be true. Even better than remembering the good old days is living through them, and for a year or two in that time and place, we did. If you were there at the Whisky bar during that time, you know how unique an experience it was. Gabe’s presence there was a contribution to that experience. He would tell story after interesting story and got up to creating some good-natured new ones. He was never one to sit still.
I remember one time he offered to run down the street to buy someone a pack of cigarettes. He could do it faster (and better) he explained because he had the pedestrian traffic lights timed. So off he took on a sprint, returning not long later with the pack and out of breath, but distraught because a bum or homeless person had accidentally got in his way while he was all-out-running. He said he had a split second to make a decision on how to react, and he ended up making the decision to jump over the bum. It was a hilarious story (we were all pretty sure the bum was ok) and the way he told it was classic Gabe. To this day it’s a story of legend.
Regulars came and went from the Whisky bar during that time period but Gabe was a long lasting one and he was always my favorite. Seeing him always brightened my day. I couldn’t tell you exactly when those times began in 2003, but I can tell you when they started to end. Gabe was leaving Seattle and moving back to Gold Bar. I remember the night. We shared our last drink and deep conversation at the bar when his sister I think it was, was coming to pick him up. He hugged me when he left. Both us knew that that was it. That time was over. Although thankfully, I did get to see him several more times in the following months.
To me, Gabe felt like a brother in another life. I loved him because of it. I always thought he and I would cross paths again, and I would have liked to see him one more time. We did talk on the phone not too many years back just before he was returning to Hawaii. I remember hearing from others that he liked it there. If I had known he was in Washington I would have tried to get a hold of him for a few reunion beers. I drove through Gold Bar the Sunday before his passing, and even thought of him as I drove through, not knowing that he was probably within shouting distance off Highway 2.
Gabe’s soul and spirit will live on, especially in all those that knew him. It’s just too great not too. Also, I’m confident that he has found peace. I’ll miss you Gabe, buddy. See you down the path.
To whoever created the memorial website on the internet, thank you. It was good to take a peek into Gabe’s life and view his memorial video.
In memory of Gabe:
I had the pleasure of getting to know Gabe at the Whisky Bar when he lived nearby in downtown Seattle, some years ago. I'm very saddened to hear of his passing and my condolences go out to his family for their loss.
Gabe was filled with character and whit and he made quite an impact on my life and almost all those around him. He was outgoing and cared for others and the world is dimmer with him no longer in it. I remember a time when we were drinking a few beers conversing and he turned to me and said 'Craig someday we're going to be old men sitting on these bar stools talking about the good old days', and we both laughed at the thought, knowing, and probably hoping, it wouldn’t be true. Even better than remembering the good old days is living through them, and for a year or two in that time and place, we did. If you were there at the Whisky bar during that time, you know how unique an experience it was. Gabe’s presence there was a contribution to that experience. He would tell story after interesting story and got up to creating some good-natured new ones. He was never one to sit still.
I remember one time he offered to run down the street to buy someone a pack of cigarettes. He could do it faster (and better) he explained because he had the pedestrian traffic lights timed. So off he took on a sprint, returning not long later with the pack and out of breath, but distraught because a bum or homeless person had accidentally got in his way while he was all-out-running. He said he had a split second to make a decision on how to react, and he ended up making the decision to jump over the bum. It was a hilarious story (we were all pretty sure the bum was ok) and the way he told it was classic Gabe. To this day it’s a story of legend.
Regulars came and went from the Whisky bar during that time period but Gabe was a long lasting one and he was always my favorite. Seeing him always brightened my day. I couldn’t tell you exactly when those times began in 2003, but I can tell you when they started to end. Gabe was leaving Seattle and moving back to Gold Bar. I remember the night. We shared our last drink and deep conversation at the bar when his sister I think it was, was coming to pick him up. He hugged me when he left. Both us knew that that was it. That time was over. Although thankfully, I did get to see him several more times in the following months.
To me, Gabe felt like a brother in another life. I loved him because of it. I always thought he and I would cross paths again, and I would have liked to see him one more time. We did talk on the phone not too many years back just before he was returning to Hawaii. I remember hearing from others that he liked it there. If I had known he was in Washington I would have tried to get a hold of him for a few reunion beers. I drove through Gold Bar the Sunday before his passing, and even thought of him as I drove through, not knowing that he was probably within shouting distance off Highway 2.
Gabe’s soul and spirit will live on, especially in all those that knew him. It’s just too great not too. Also, I’m confident that he has found peace. I’ll miss you Gabe, buddy. See you down the path.
To whoever created the memorial website on the internet, thank you. It was good to take a peek into Gabe’s life and view his memorial video.
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