My neighbor died today...

[caseydog]

Those of you who came to the NYE gathering at my house met my neighbor, Khamir. His wife informed me tonight that Khamir died today, after a short but intense fight with cancer.

He went to the doctor in February with abdominal pain, and within a few weeks, was diagnosed with stage four cancer, with tumors in the pancreas and liver. He was beyond the stage of curability, so all they could do was stretch his life out, and try to keep the pain bearable.

He was Persian, born and raised in Iran. He left Iran at age 14 because he was Bahai, not muslim. He had little chance of success there. He went to England, and eventually came to the US. He worked as a mechanic, and eventually opened a shop with a partner.

He had a very thick accent, so he was hard to understand, but we had some amazing conversations, and he was instrumental in forming my opinions regarding the Middle East, and helped me understand how people of his culture think. He never went to college, but he was very smart.

He was also one of the kindest men I have ever met. A good neighbor, and an asset to the community and the country.

So, drink a toast to Khamir -- he was fond of a good beer and pistachios.

CD

[starleen2]

My condolences on the loss of such a good friend - from the brief time that we met him on NYE, I could tell of your friendship

[madjack]

...my condolences...any man who likes a good beer and pistachios AND was a friend of the dog was a good man...I raise a beer to Khamir with you ..,.......
madjack

[satch]

[eamarquardt]

He had a very thick accent, so he was hard to understand, but we had some amazing conversations, and he was instrumental in forming my opinions regarding the Middle East, and helped me understand how people of his culture think. He never went to college, but he was very smart.

He was also one of the kindest men I have ever met. A good neighbor, and an asset to the community and the country.

CD

Of course I never met your neighbor, but I think, based upon your description of him, I will miss him.

Gus

[artwebb]

So sad, the world needs all the good and kind people we have.

[Spotman]

Cheers up there Khamir

[Steve_Cox]

Dog,

Really sorry about your loss of a friend, his family's loss of a provider and humanity's loss of an enlightened man, and follower of Baha'i.

[queeniejeanne]

Glen, so very sorry for your loss....Baha'i is a graceful, peaceful, gratifying religion...peace only, peace for you and his family from Dennis and I.
Here's to the kind man with the heavy thick accent, which made no difference to the friends around him. He will be held on HIGH
Queenie Jeanne

[planovet]

He was hard to understand but he seemed like a nice guy. So a toast to Khamir

[tonyj]

We are fortunate when we are able to live in a place with good neighbors, and when they become good friends as well, it makes the loss even worse. I'll think good thoughts of Khamir.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

CD, sorry to hear about your neigbor. It's amazing to that with doctor vists and check ups that a major problem can develop un-noticed.
I assume he was seeing a doctor.

It just proves that close check ups and regular visits are good preventative steps but sometimes these things just fall thru the cracks and cause a major problem.

It could happen to anyone so take care of yourself too.

[Evil Skippy]

Sorry to hear of your neighbors passing.

My heart goes out to his family and loved ones.

I will raise my next beer to him.


digitally
Evil_Skippy

[Shadow Catcher]

We live in a very small town and it tends toward those that are rather young and those that are rather old. We have lost a number of neighbors in 32 years I have also lost a number of friends and what this points out is that we are all subject to a recall by the manufacturer. That we need to live in the now and not put off telling folk we care and they make a difference in our lives.

[caseydog]

BTW, in my OP, I used the hukt on foniks approach to spelling his name -- I've never had to spell it before, so I spelled it like you say it.

The correct spelling is Kamyar, but it is pronounced like "kam-here."



The funeral is this morning. I'll be leaving soon to attend.

I also knew he was a little younger than me, but as it turns out, he was only eight months younger -- 48 years old.

CD