Christopher Manning
left a message on April 2, 2021:
I grew up on Fairview Ave betwwen 1978 and 1982, I left a year after my mom died in 81. At that time Fairview Ave was full of kids playing outside, now not so much. That's when I knew Billy and his sisters. Well, Veronica was several years older then me and Barbara was several younger. But I knew Patti and we played together as kids. As I look back on those days, I always considered him my "best friend." But after reading all the beautiful messages, I came to realize that he was everyone"s best friend. I would do a Google search for him, but nothing would turn up through the years. Turns out I used Billy, instead of William. When I did use William, the unthinkable happened. One link to another and I find myself looking at a real hero. I saw His picture, and couldn't believe what I was looking at. He was killed in action 13 years ago . I started to cry, and as I write this I still cry.
I didn't know him as an adult, I wish I had. The last time I saw him I drove back to Jersey City sometime in 85, or 86 and we just hung out his porch and talked. There was no internet, cell phones or social media to keep in touch with back then. As time went by, I always thought our paths would cross somewhere in the future, and we just pick up from our last conversation like nothing happened. He did touch so many people through his life and gave everything so we could have our freedom. There's nothing I can say that will him home or comfort his family, except that I treasure my friendship with him, as I have since we were kids. One thing we can all agree on, he was stolen from us way too early.
left a message:
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Christopher Manning
left a message on April 2, 2021:
I grew up on Fairview Ave betwwen 1978 and 1982, I left a year after my mom died in 81. At that time Fairview Ave was full of kids playing outside, now not so much. That's when I knew Billy and his sisters. Well, Veronica was several years older then me and Barbara was several younger. But I knew Patti and we played together as kids. As I look back on those days, I always considered him my "best friend." But after reading all the beautiful messages, I came to realize that he was everyone"s best friend. I would do a Google search for him, but nothing would turn up through the years. Turns out I used Billy, instead of William. When I did use William, the unthinkable happened. One link to another and I find myself looking at a real hero. I saw His picture, and couldn't believe what I was looking at. He was killed in action 13 years ago . I started to cry, and as I write this I still cry.
I didn't know him as an adult, I wish I had. The last time I saw him I drove back to Jersey City sometime in 85, or 86 and we just hung out his porch and talked. There was no internet, cell phones or social media to keep in touch with back then. As time went by, I always thought our paths would cross somewhere in the future, and we just pick up from our last conversation like nothing happened. He did touch so many people through his life and gave everything so we could have our freedom. There's nothing I can say that will him home or comfort his family, except that I treasure my friendship with him, as I have since we were kids. One thing we can all agree on, he was stolen from us way too early.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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