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I loved him... |
pablus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2003
Posts: 2146
From: www.crazedmugs.com
|  Posted: 2005-11-14 8:50 pm Permalink
And I told him so often.
In fact my last words to him were:
"I love you, braddah - next trip you're going with me."
I'm in the Philippines but I got the news last night...
I'll miss him but I'm glad to have gotten to know him.
His rich harmonies, his easy laugh, his delight to learn, his exasperating habit of being the very last to leave the Lagoon Lounge, his goofy New Years' Resolutions, his never-ending line of unique friends, his fresh hand grown produce that he would bring to us (including bananas), his willingness to play and obvious enjoyment of our circle's company, his genuine nature and loving view of humanity.
He was a true friend and a good man who cared deeply for people.
RustyKey.
Those of you who got to meet him and enjoy his company are very blessed.
He really enjoyed knowing you all. He mentioned several names of people to me over the years that he really thought fondly of. KailuaGeoff and Marian. Tristan and Tiki Bree. Humuhumu. Swanky. Chip and Andy. Shell in the Pacific. There are many more of you. Those are the names that come right to the top of my mind.
He went crazy with glee at the Hukilau and always had a new name to trot out to me of someone he had met and really liked. King Kukulele always had him laughing loudly.
I won't even go into what the Haole Kats and their families meant to him.
Live aloha every day.
Tell those you love that you do. Make it a habit.
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Monkeyman
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 04, 2003
Posts: 2301
From: Vista, CA
| Posted: 2005-11-14 8:58 pm Permalink
I didn't know him but he was privileged to have a friend like you.
My condolences.
Derek
[ This Message was edited by: Monkeyman 2005-11-14 20:58 ]
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Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2079
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
| Posted: 2005-11-14 9:09 pm Permalink
Say it aint so.......
Andy and I consider it an honor to have met him and a pleasure to count him as a friend.
_________________
I feel sorry for those who don't drink. When you get up in the morning, that is as good as you are going to feel all day!
[ This Message was edited by: Chip and Andy 2005-11-14 21:09 ]
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hewey
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 14, 2004
Posts: 4270
From: Sydney, Australia
| Posted: 2005-11-14 9:11 pm Permalink
My condolences too. I didnt know him, but he sounds like a top bloke, and you obviously had a lot of respect for him.
_________________
www.kustomkultureaustralia.com
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OnaTiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 24, 2003
Posts: 407
From: San Diego, CA
| Posted: 2005-11-14 9:35 pm Permalink
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Our condolences to you.
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Haole Kat
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 02, 2004
Posts: 271
From: St Petersburg, FL
| Posted: 2005-11-14 10:10 pm Permalink
Russ was a wonderful man and a pleasure to be around. His enthusiasm often reminded me of why I started playing music in the first place. You couldn't hope to meet a more gentle, compassionate and all around good human being.
I'm lucky enough to be able to say he was my friend. Russ, you'll be missed.
Josh
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virani
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 17, 2003
Posts: 1434
From: Volcanic area of France
| Posted: 2005-11-14 11:18 pm Permalink
I have met him at Hukilau, and he looked like someone really nice. Sad, sad, sad.
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Humuhumu
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: Aug 22, 2002
Posts: 3536
From: San Francisco
| Posted: 2005-11-14 11:40 pm Permalink
Oh my god. I'm in shock. Pablus, I'm so very, very sorry. Rusty Key was a dear, darling man. He was so easy to connect with, so... f#$k. I need to go cry now. I'm really sorry, Pablus.
_________________
Critiki - Ooga-Mooga - Humu Kon Tiki
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Basement Kahuna
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Posts: 3587
From: Jawja Province, Isle of North America
| Posted: 2005-11-14 11:44 pm Permalink
Wow...Me and Nikki are crying, man...Wow...That's just...very heavy. I can't even say. We both talked story with Rusty at Hukilau...How did this happen? Man, Paul and Scott and all, I just don't know what to say...I gotta go. Terrible news....
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TikiTikiBoom
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 14, 2005
Posts: 153
From: So Cal
| Posted: 2005-11-15 12:07 am Permalink
My deepest sympathies and warmest thoughts to you during this time. So sorry for your loss.
_________________
TikiTikiBoom
Tonight, we will have a big feast. And then, at the end of the feast, we will climb to the top of the Big Woo, and you will jump in. Okay?
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pablus
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2003
Posts: 2146
From: www.crazedmugs.com
| Posted: 2005-11-15 12:38 am Permalink
Thanks for your warm responses.
Angela and I, Koka Nut (Scott) and Aimee, Josh, TJ and Heather, Joe, Palm Farmer Johnny, Tall Mark, Mad Mike, Diamond Dizzle Darryl, Long Lee and the rest of our little crew appreciate what this community meant to Russ. And we all appreciate your kindness at this very difficult time.
BTW, since a few have pm'ed me and asked: He was about 55 and died of a heart attack at home. No previous history of trouble although I found out that he had been ignoring symptoms of congestive heart failure for a while. After what I've been through this year I would like to have thought that he would have had everything checked out multiple times.
Even though I was reticent about dropping this on the forum, I thought that it was fitting since this was one of his favorite groups of people and I might miss somebody by a PM blitz.
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Tiki G.
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 28, 2005
Posts: 380
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL
| Posted: 2005-11-15 05:55 am Permalink
We met Russ for the first time at Hukilau this year. He expeled kindness in his voice. He came over to our booth and talked with Trish and I quite a bit throughout the weekend. He even supported us with the purchase of a willow walking stick we had there that nobody wanted. Beautiful piece of wood. He collected walking sticks and was in awe of this one and loved it. You might have seen him walking around with it. His kindness to us meant alot. We were just speaking of him and about how kind he was the other night after listening to the CD you gave us Pablus. It's going to be hard to listen to it the next time we put it in.
We're sorry for the loss of such a great man, and for your sorrow. He will be missed.
Gary & Trish
_________________
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Mr. Ho
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 09, 2005
Posts: 380
From: Boston, MA
| Posted: 2005-11-15 06:29 am Permalink
Condolences from Mr. Ho and WAITIKI. Don't even know what else to say except it sounds like this guy is fortunate to have such an ohana around him like this one on TC.
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Whollycat
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Oct 03, 2004
Posts: 62
From: Mad Beach, Florida
| Posted: 2005-11-15 08:17 am Permalink
One of the most kind,helpful,intelligent,and mellow man I have ever come across on this planet. I am blessed to have known him and will miss our conversations about ukes,music,and the spirit that guides us all. Pablus,Scott,everyone at Media Central,the Kats and I all will share our sorrow for a very long time to come. Our circle has been broken along with our hearts. I will take a piece of Russ onstage with me forever more...
Rest in tropical peace Braddah .....
Joe/Haole Kats
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tiki_kiliki
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Apr 01, 2002
Posts: 988
From: Hamtown USA
| Posted: 2005-11-15 08:40 am Permalink
My thoughts are with you Pablus and with this Ohana who are blessed to have met him. I'm deeply saddened.
_________________
Yee-Haw & Aloha,
The World of Tiki Kiliki
[ This Message was edited by: tiki_kiliki 2005-11-15 08:42 ]
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