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The tears of heaven fell gently in Seattle on the night of May 30th, 2005 when Bear Downing passed away.
Bear loved keeping you informed through the website of all our travels and adventures.
Your support has meant the world to Bear.
Thank you.
I know that he touched each of you with his warm and caring heart.
He had a few photos taken on May 9th, just before his first brain surgery.
A Memorial Sail was held on the June 11th, 2005
A Celebration of Life was held on June 12th, 2005
A beautiful service was performed by Michelle McKinney
Poems were shared
I have setup the Bear Downing Memorial Sailing Scholarship
Bear's ashes have been scattered. Bear's last sail on July 24th, 2006.
- Kit -
"He's a big bear of a guy alright.
Well-named, when he first comes in sight.
But get to know him for a while
He can't help but make you smile.
Tales of sea and ships and more
A day on Volant is never a bore..."
"Long road winding began in the stars,
spilled onto the mountain tops,
was carried in the snow to the streams,
to the rivers, to the ocean...
It covers Canada, Alaska, America,
Mexico to Guatemala..."
"Don't think of him as gone away--
his journey's just begun life holds so many
facets this earth is only one. Just think of
him as resting from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort where there
are no days and years..."