Memoirs of a Geezer!
Reflections and Observations -- A Bright Passage from the Fantasies of Youth
to Illuminations of Advanced Maturity!
This Episode: An Homage to a Great Friend, a True Champion!
Whenever I was privileged to be with him, I knew I was in the Company of a Champion. My much-loved, lifelong, richly cherished, marvelously talented friend, Stephen F. Johnstone, slipped away on September 8th. Far too young, far too soon! Over the course of two or so years, Steve wrote a manuscript about his great passion -- gate-crashing. It's entitled, In the Company of Champions, and chronicles his longtime adventure, something at which he was the true master, the greatest champion ever to gain entry, surreptitiously, into varied iconic events, those into which lesser mortals might only project their longings and their dreams.
Steve entered the hospital last Monday, the 1st of September, Labor Day. About three or four weeks ago, it became obvious he had been assaulted by a form of cancer so aggressive, so virulent, that it claimed him just one week after entering Froedtert Memorial Hospital in Milwaukee County. His family members and Connie gathered round him. Happily for Steve, most were able to speak with him, hold his hand, express their love. It seems they turned away for a moment, and he was gone. As Mary, my wife, suggested, "He gave us yet another gate-crashing moment, almost a mystical performance, the consumate phantom charmed his way along a bright pathway in pursuit of a far more desirable destination."
I hope it's not an irreverence, but I have an image of Steve appearing at the Heavenly Gate, speaking briefly with the temp on duty, presenting credentials, being asked, "Do you have your entry ticket?" And then he's gone. He's made his way to the Throne where God is smiling broadly, then seizing him in a warm embrace, announcing to his minions, "Steve's here! He may have snuck in, but I couldn't be happier to have him in the Circle."
The man who, both in callow youth and maturity, spent more time in the Kentucky Derby Winners Circle than any winning owner, trainer or jockey, made it into the greatest Circle achievable. Along the way, he witnessed extraordinary sporting and cultural events, too numerous to detail. I am honored to have had Steve in my life. He was in my wife's and my wedding. He was one of our original volleyball teammates, an original is so many other ways as well, a first edition in every sense.
My brother, Kris, and I met Steve and his brother, Jimmy, when we were all just 8 or 9 years old. We bonded -- like tubes of super glue colliding -- almost instantly, forging a lifelong friendship that never wavered, grew stronger with time, seamless, a treasure among the gems of a good and satisfying life. Even cribbage -- with its extravagant boasts, its wins and losses, battles and tournaments -- couldn't lessen our friendship and our affection for one another.
Steve was generous beyond imagination, loving and kind, a truly outstanding friend, father, brother and grandfather. He gave us -- all who knew him -- the remarkable gift of himself, his time, love and friendship. I'll miss him far more than I could ever express in mere words, as will we all.
I hope for Steve that his afterlife includes all of the celebrated figures encountered throughout his magnificent career and his remarkable life, that they'll gather with him to ruminate, laugh and embellish, and to re-live their happiest moments, their greatest triumphs.
I'm finding it difficult to end this tribute, as I can't stop remembering and thinking about him. I find it hard to put aside my anger that someone so extraordinary, so special, could be wrenched from us with such seeming cruelly, so prematurely. But everything ends, and so I'll put this passage to rest with his own words. Steve's beautiful writing included many poems, such as this one, entitled...
WANDERING
The world's a big place
Blanket it with deeds and seeds
To embrace your place
 |
| Steve and his son Joel |
 |
| Steve with daughter Shannon |
Steve entered the hospital last Monday, the 1st of September, Labor Day. About three or four weeks ago, it became obvious he had been assaulted by a form of cancer so aggressive, so virulent, that it claimed him just one week after entering Froedtert Memorial Hospital in Milwaukee County. His family members and Connie gathered round him. Happily for Steve, most were able to speak with him, hold his hand, express their love. It seems they turned away for a moment, and he was gone. As Mary, my wife, suggested, "He gave us yet another gate-crashing moment, almost a mystical performance, the consumate phantom charmed his way along a bright pathway in pursuit of a far more desirable destination."
 |
| Reading with Gina's daughter, Granddaughter Juliana |
I hope it's not an irreverence, but I have an image of Steve appearing at the Heavenly Gate, speaking briefly with the temp on duty, presenting credentials, being asked, "Do you have your entry ticket?" And then he's gone. He's made his way to the Throne where God is smiling broadly, then seizing him in a warm embrace, announcing to his minions, "Steve's here! He may have snuck in, but I couldn't be happier to have him in the Circle."
 |
| At the Kentucky Derby |
The man who, both in callow youth and maturity, spent more time in the Kentucky Derby Winners Circle than any winning owner, trainer or jockey, made it into the greatest Circle achievable. Along the way, he witnessed extraordinary sporting and cultural events, too numerous to detail. I am honored to have had Steve in my life. He was in my wife's and my wedding. He was one of our original volleyball teammates, an original is so many other ways as well, a first edition in every sense.
My brother, Kris, and I met Steve and his brother, Jimmy, when we were all just 8 or 9 years old. We bonded -- like tubes of super glue colliding -- almost instantly, forging a lifelong friendship that never wavered, grew stronger with time, seamless, a treasure among the gems of a good and satisfying life. Even cribbage -- with its extravagant boasts, its wins and losses, battles and tournaments -- couldn't lessen our friendship and our affection for one another.
 |
| Steve (at right) with Joel and Mary, Gina, Alie (Kriofske) and Shannon |
Steve was generous beyond imagination, loving and kind, a truly outstanding friend, father, brother and grandfather. He gave us -- all who knew him -- the remarkable gift of himself, his time, love and friendship. I'll miss him far more than I could ever express in mere words, as will we all.
I hope for Steve that his afterlife includes all of the celebrated figures encountered throughout his magnificent career and his remarkable life, that they'll gather with him to ruminate, laugh and embellish, and to re-live their happiest moments, their greatest triumphs.
I'm finding it difficult to end this tribute, as I can't stop remembering and thinking about him. I find it hard to put aside my anger that someone so extraordinary, so special, could be wrenched from us with such seeming cruelly, so prematurely. But everything ends, and so I'll put this passage to rest with his own words. Steve's beautiful writing included many poems, such as this one, entitled...
WANDERING
The world's a big place
Blanket it with deeds and seeds
To embrace your place
Humbly Submitted, 09-10-14 by Joel K.
