The news story:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/12/17/obrien-dies041217.htmlWhile I would normally feel saddened by such news, I'm even more so in this case. Lawrence's son Mike is one of my best friends, and I can't imagine what he is going through at the moment. I had a great deal of respect for Lawrence, as he was a staunch Labradorian and represented our interests well in Ottawa. He will be sorely missed, and it will be impossible to truely replace him.
Mike, or Obie as we call him, will be coming back to Goose Bay tonight and I'm debating whether I should go see him or wait until tomorrow. Our friend Shawn is going up, and I don't want to impose and inundate them with visitors at a time when the family needs to be together. I'm not exactly sure what to say to him, nor are any of our other friends sure how to deal with this. I've told our friends that there isn't much we can say, and we just should be there when he needs us to be. That's the best advice I could think to give.
Just thought I'de pass this along. This Christmas has just gotten a little bit more sombre, now that Lawrence has left us.