Our Own Duddahs

[rin68nyr]

I am very sorry to say, I just found out about Joseph's passing on Facebook tonight, on what would have been his 59th birthday. I don't have details, other than he left us near the beginning of June (on or before June 9). We may not have met in real life, but I felt as if I knew him, and hoped we may (as a group) someday meet. I know he had a love of his own Miss Jenn, and his dudespup, Dudespuppette and Noah, his dogs, gardening, his "shell cottage" on the Cape, figure skating, Christmas decorations...as well as all things Harry Potter. His posts here, and where we began, on the WB site, and then Malachi's, before this one, were always heartfelt with a love of HP, and us, as well. His sense of humor shined through, with his escapades as Duddahs the owl.

I do believe Duddahs would have liked us to remember him with happiness...though at the moment, I can't help but allow myself to cry a bit.

After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.

Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love.

To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.

You will be very missed. We truly love you, our friend....ALWAYS.

[rin68nyr]

Please respond to this post with thoughts of your own, favorite memories, etc.

[fangsfan1]

I just signed on to Facebook and found out, I had no idea and had wished him a Happy Birthday this AM. I am in tears writing this and feel like I've lost a true friend. Hard to believe he has been gone for several weeks and we didn't know it-thank you Erin, for your post.
I remember playing the games with him, and the wonderful fun with his Fawkes burning quiz, also I remember when I joined one of the sites he was on, he sent me a special PM welcoming me. And also how generous he was with his praise when we posted something he liked.
Love to everyone, this is such a great loss for us all.

[rin68nyr]

I had wished him a happy birthday this morning, too. Then a friend of his posted because a lot of people were doing the same. I guess it was 2 weeks ago...but I have no idea what happened. Past posts do not indicate anything amiss.

[fangsfan1]

Just popping in to remember Duddahs again, Erin I thought your post you wrote was beautiful, I don't think I said that strongly enough last night. He would have loved the raised wands, I remember him talking about how much he liked that in the movie.
I am still in shock from this, but you're right, he would want us to remember him with happiness.
Love to all

[rin68nyr]

Thank you, Fangsfan. I'm not sure words can truly convey our feelings, but I wanted to make it a fitting tribute. I keep popping on here to see if others find out... I think NZ and Miss C don't know yet, and my heart breaks for everyone who knew him.

Love and hugs to everyone

❤️

[fangsfan1]

I know, I feel they must not know either and as you say they are going to be heartbroken. I don't know how to contact them, I had an old email for Miss C but I know she told me she doesn't check that one anymore. Hopefully they will check in soon, they were such good friends and they should know.

[rin68nyr]

I actually could do snail mail for Miss C, but don't think it would get there before she gets on here...I may send one out to her just in case... maybe I'll see if she checks in today, and if not, I'll send a note out tomorrow.

[fangsfan1]

I can't believe I didn't think of that, that's a great idea. She should definitely know if she doesn't already, and hopefully Nz will check in soon. Still having a hard time realizing this has happened, always hard to lose such a good friend.

[rin68nyr]

I did send out a note this morning...

[fangsfan1]

Thanks Erin, hopefully Nz will check in soon too.

[misscharlotte]

Well guys. I haven't made a trip out to the mailbox just yet. So I only found out right now from peeking in. I only came in to say that I've been working for the past few weeks on something for our Lovegood Lounge celebration of 10 years for the month of August. I had an idea and wanted to surprise you all in a small way. I just wanted to make sure it worked first. But this oh my. I really don't know what to say. The times I have peeked in here, I've only looked at the bottom at the Stats to see if he's signed on and I couldn't catch him on here. He shares his birthday with my daughter. Life has changed so much since we all met over at the WB. I'm so glad that he''s had a chance to get to see his family grow. He found so much joy in so many things. I did have the privlidge to talk to Jenn once or twice many years ago. She's really nice. I wish I could give her a hug. The Lounge being such a long standing part of his life we should have sent flowers for the funeral. Gosh I can't believe I'm saying this.

Ok. He's still with us in spirit. We'll leave out owl treats for him to nibble on when he feels like having one.

[rin68nyr]

Miss C. I think we all found out too late for funeral flowers, but i think its a great idea to do something as a group! We could send flowers to his family, or donate to a charity...what do you think? I found his obituar, and it does mention a charity.

www.legacy.com/obituaries/ctpost/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-a-sorrentino&pid=196327608

[fangsfan1]

Guys, please let me know if you decide to do that, I would like to contribute. I have both Erin's and Miss C's address, I could send a check if you want? Or however you want to do it, please keep me informed and I do think it's a great idea too.

[nz101nz]

Oh my, this is tough. I am in shock, I cannot believe it. So sudden, without warning, this truly breaks my heart. I had no idea either. I feel like the only way I can properly remember Joseph is to share a bit about the person I knew for all these years.

July 7th would have been 13 years that I had known Joseph. As you all know, I first met Duddahs on the Magical Trading Card forum of the HP Site. I joined the forum on that day back in 2007 and started a quiz thread afterwards. Our Duddahs was the first person who responded to my quiz and the first friend I had made on the site.

He took me in as a newbie on the site and introduced me to his magical trading card team, the Magical Consortium Common Room. He didn't have to do that, I wasn't part of the team. But he did anyways, and boy what a great group of people that was, headed by Duddahs, who himself had millions of cards in his collection. His generosity and character were apparent from the first time I met him. Not only did he collect cards, but he wanted others to grow their collection as well, so he put together a thread consisting of all weblinks one could click on to add cards to their collection.

We had loads of fun on that board, but one memory always stands out in particular. It must've been at least 10 years ago, it was late at night and I was browsing the boards, when I saw a new thread pop up, titled "Madame's Late Night Coffee Shop" by our own Madame Snape. I noticed Duddahs had just posted there so I joined in. It was apparent that none of us could sleep that night so we just talked and talked for what felt like hours on end, like good old friends...

As we all grew closer together and the conversations more personal, I always enjoyed hearing about Joseph's stories and what he shared, whether it was photos of the Fourth of July fireworks from his Shell Cottage, or his latest cooking venture, or gardening which he was so proud of. It was not just a few weeks ago that I was at a garden centre and saw a wonderful group of Hydrangeas. I was immediately remined of Joseph and the photos he used to share of his hydrangeas. I think I'll plant a few of them to remember him. I was also lucky enough to receive a gift from Joseph, through Percy's Junk Shoppe, a small figurine of Harry on his broomstick in the clouds catching the Snitch. When the package arrived though, I was surprised to find another gift in there as well, a plastic Remembrall. Funny how these things work out sometimes...

Joseph was truly an extraordinary person. Kind, welcoming, friendly and funny. Although we only saw a glimpse of him, I can only imagine the person he was in real life. I always said that if I was in his neck of the woods, I would meet up with him. I will miss seeing him around here. I will miss our adventures through Hogsmeade RPing as Aberforth and Hagrid. I will miss his always interesting word choices for HP Word Association. I will miss the joy and happiness that he brought to the Lovegood Lounge and put into every post of his. I can only speak for myself, but I believe one of the reasons I've kept attached to HP all these years is because of people like Joseph.

Rest in Peace Joseph. Save me a seat at the cafe up there, right beside you and Madame. We'll send R2R's, sip some lemon tea and reminisce a bit.

You will never be forgotten, my friend.

-Nz

[nz101nz]

I will also be sharing a few more memories that I have of Duddahs over the years, I think you all will appreciate them as much as I do.

Jun 28, 2020 22:01:25 GMT -6 fangsfan1 said:

Guys, please let me know if you decide to do that, I would like to contribute. I have both Erin's and Miss C's address, I could send a check if you want? Or however you want to do it, please keep me informed and I do think it's a great idea too.

I would also like to be included in something. I have Duddah's address, perhaps we could send something?

[rin68nyr]

Duddahs had a way of making everyone feel included and welcomed. I still can't believe it...

I had been thinking of some things to do for August's 10th anniversary of this board, before this news, to revive some old threads of mine. I would like to continue with those plans. I also think it would be a great idea for us to continue/revive Duddah's posts as well. I think he would really like that.

I will continue to post on the million thread in his honor...sometimes with a message, sometimes with my little symbols I've been using for Duddahs. Some days I won't be able to, and some, I will post multiple times.

Miss C, Fangsfan, NZ, and I'll also see if JB Snape is interested...I think it would be real nice if we could do something in his memory. I, too, have his address, and we can send something...whether it be flowers/plant (a hydrangea?) or a donation to the charity listed in his obituary. I'd be happy to do the legwork, as I am off for the summer. I'd be happy to receive funds via venmo, or cash/check through the mail. I'd let you all see where the money went, and we can all work together on whatever wording we want to enclose. Let me know!

Erin

[fangsfan1]

Beautiful memories Nz. You made me remember Duddahs sent me a time turner and then he included an HP coin for a surprise and I was so surprised.
Erin, do you want a check sent to you and you would then send one big check? I don't have Duddahs address but I have yours. Let me know how you want to do it and I will send a check right off.

[rin68nyr]

Hi Fangsfan...let's wait and see what we're doing. I will do a little research, and get back to everyone with some options.

Thanks!
Erin

[rin68nyr]

Ok...here is what o have come up with

1) we can order a hydrangea plant for $74.99, plus delivery fee, and divide the amount amongst us.
2) we can donate to the charity from the obituary, for the 1961 memorial fund which awards skating and academic scholarships for skaters with national/I ternational potential. It also honors skaters who were lost to the 1961 plane crash, in which the US figure skating world team lost their lives (and it just so happens that the school I work in is named after a mother and 2 daughters who were. Killed). In this scenario, we would each give what we wished, and that would be combined down into one donation from all of us. We could do that one of 2 ways. Pool the money, and donate the amount, and send a card, or each of us donate what we wish online, and send a card from all of us.

What do you all think?

Erin