This weekend was our Pacific Masters Championships. It was a close battle between WCM and USF and I don't know who won at this very moment. I don't care.
You see, I left right before the 1000 today (the last event) right after the last relays. I watched some great swims today. Amazing swims. My friend Brendon swam a 2:03 200 fly and really hit his taper (as he's not going to Nationals)- we were teasing about how he does really well the week after a tapered meet. He seemed to finally figure it out this time.
My friend Stephen called me tonight and told me that Brendon also had a great 1000, was warming down, had a heart attack and died. He was 35. I was stunned. I've been crying since then trying to make sense of it all. It doesn't make sense.
I called some other friends and no one else can believe it either. Suddenly, the meet doesn't matter, swimming doesn't matter, what matters is that we lost a really great guy today. He was always so happy, funny, and loved to tell jokes. He was really good natured and fun to be around. I will miss him terribly.
Parents
Former Member
The tragic death of a great friend at the young age of nineteen has threaded itself throughout my entire life. In times like this there are few things we can say or write that will bring comfort to the family and friends of those past. But I know that death has painfully proven that the following saying is the truth.
“Death is a challenge. It tells us not to waste time. . . It tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other.”
My sincere condolences to Brendon’s family and friends….I will remember them in my Prayers. God bless!
I love you guys....
Tom Ellison
The tragic death of a great friend at the young age of nineteen has threaded itself throughout my entire life. In times like this there are few things we can say or write that will bring comfort to the family and friends of those past. But I know that death has painfully proven that the following saying is the truth.
“Death is a challenge. It tells us not to waste time. . . It tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other.”
My sincere condolences to Brendon’s family and friends….I will remember them in my Prayers. God bless!
I love you guys....
Tom Ellison
