Vale Dicere Max Flory
Attended Max Flory's funeral yesterday. He died of a heart attack at the young age of 36. Apparently it ran in the family and he wasn't exactly known for the most healthy diet. The service, at Jensen Funerals, was mostly dignified although there was a little ill-ease with members of the Salvation Army (whom Max did volunteer work for many years), pushing their version of salvation a little too heavy. Quoting from the scriptures is one thing (there is some wisdom in that book). Pushing a particular denominational line in the circumstances was a little rude. In one remark, they seemed oblivious to the fact that they may have condemned the very person for whom they were supposed to respecting. In contrast, the more genuine, open, and honest speeches from his friends (Denny, Richie, Matt, Wayne and Richie) and his family certainly ameliorated concerns among those assembled.
The attendance was an extraordinary gathering of many old friends, some of whom I had not seen for several years. Many made quite significant journeys to be there, with The Pollbludger, along with a few others (e.g., Anthony and Petri), coming in from the Western Lands (i.e. Perth), where Max spent most of his youth. Making an even longer journey, Denny come in from London. Special thanks must go to Richie for doing so much of the organising in Melbourne. After the service friends and family had a few drinks at a local hotel in memory of Max along with many, many, laughs. Memories of him easily generated such joy. We finished up quite late in the eve and there's a follow-up gathering tonight at The Factory.
Max was a "wild man" to use the categories from Dylan Thomas, once traveling 3,000 kilometres to attend a party I hosted (the slightly notorious Y2K Jika-Jika Party) and ensured mesopheric mental journeys. He had an incredibly finely-tuned and rapidly-delivered sense of erudite tangential humour that would bring great mirth to people of our ilk, but I suspect it could have caused total bewilderment to some others. Perhaps going through the small mountain of unpublished material that he wrote could distribute these ideas to a wider audience, for he wrote (and wrote, and wrote) for the sheer love of writing itself rather than as a profession. Whenever there were troubles among our social circle, he had a ready ear and sound advice, and whenever physical assistance was needed he had a ready hand. He brought a little magic to the lives of all those he touched and he'll be remembered with great fondness.
Requiescat In Pace
The attendance was an extraordinary gathering of many old friends, some of whom I had not seen for several years. Many made quite significant journeys to be there, with The Pollbludger, along with a few others (e.g., Anthony and Petri), coming in from the Western Lands (i.e. Perth), where Max spent most of his youth. Making an even longer journey, Denny come in from London. Special thanks must go to Richie for doing so much of the organising in Melbourne. After the service friends and family had a few drinks at a local hotel in memory of Max along with many, many, laughs. Memories of him easily generated such joy. We finished up quite late in the eve and there's a follow-up gathering tonight at The Factory.
Max was a "wild man" to use the categories from Dylan Thomas, once traveling 3,000 kilometres to attend a party I hosted (the slightly notorious Y2K Jika-Jika Party) and ensured mesopheric mental journeys. He had an incredibly finely-tuned and rapidly-delivered sense of erudite tangential humour that would bring great mirth to people of our ilk, but I suspect it could have caused total bewilderment to some others. Perhaps going through the small mountain of unpublished material that he wrote could distribute these ideas to a wider audience, for he wrote (and wrote, and wrote) for the sheer love of writing itself rather than as a profession. Whenever there were troubles among our social circle, he had a ready ear and sound advice, and whenever physical assistance was needed he had a ready hand. He brought a little magic to the lives of all those he touched and he'll be remembered with great fondness.