Best Of

There are 5 memories that stick out with that kid. The first (and only) time I baby sat. Brain and Tracey went somewhere and I asked what if he poops. Brain said he probably won't but if he does just change him, Fast forward and hour and OMG green shit everywhere. The kid was so sick that night, and to change him was something that would burn your nostrils. Brain and Tracey come home and say how was it. "I hate you both" and abruptly left.

The 2nd was the night Kyle stepped on a toothpick. Kyle and Perry went up to bed and Brian and I where in the kitchen. We heard a ruckus up stairs and Brian yelled up "Go to bed!" As he said multiple times on multiple occasions. I think after the 2nd or third yell, Perry yells back, "Kyle stepped on something!" He bring kyle down with a small piece of toothpick in his foot. I sat with Perry on the couch to calm him down and Brian proceeds to pull what we thought was a small sliver out. Welp, it kept coming and coming and it was the whole damn toothpick in his foot.

The 3rd is when I came over during the day and both boys said "Aw we don't want to go to bed yet" OMG that was funny. I used to come over every night and it was just about there bed time. I guess they associated me with bed time.

The 4th is a simple memory, But I remember Thom Kondolf sitting out on the porch with Kyle teaching him "In the City" by Stevie wonder. Thom having a ball and Kyle laughing and playing along.

The 5th, Their was one time Brian, Perry , Kyle and I met up at Cloverleaf in Eastpointe. By far the best conversation with these boys. Grown up and having talked about life and how they saw it. It was just a good time.

From the days of diapers and no shirts till now both Kyle and Perry made a profound difference in my life. They made be a better father and not to have Kyle with us anymore rips me pieces. He was such a kind soul, I loved him very much. And I guess they only way to truly remember him is to think how I could be a little more like Kyle.

During my first expo Kyle really wanted me to play games with him and be on his team for things... My memory is a bit hazy, but I believe it was outside during Giant Catan when he ended up being my team captain. Either he was wearing purple or we were the purple team or something like that, and I ended up calling him Purple Captain. I’ve kind of called him that ever since. He’s always been my Purple Captain. I really wanted other people to know that nickname.

He was my little sister’s first love. They sat together under the stars at my wedding and he put his coat around her because she was cold. When he came out to visit us a few years back while on a road trip with his grandfather, they stayed with Dan and me... And he and my sister stayed up all night talking. They’d both grown up and fell in love with other people, but always kept in touch... And I’m so so incredibly glad we got to have him to ourselves for that weekend.

I told my sister that the fact that we’re all so heartbroken means that Kyle was loved so completely and that he lived a lucky life and we were lucky to know him. This young man has friends across the country who are mourning him today, and that speaks more about his character than anything.

Brian, I love you. I love all you guys.

I’ll miss you, Purple Captain.

this will always be my favorite Halloween. I'll miss ya kid 😥

I have so many Kyle stories to tell, I'm having trouble picking ones to share. But this morning as I was taking a shower I think I recalled my favorite story. It's really a series of stories rather than a single one - it was the weekend when Kyle and Ray came through San Francisco on their 'round the country roadtrip in 2015 (I think).

Kyle and Ray were both in rare form on that trip. By the time they got to SF, they had already been on the road for about a week. You could tell Kyle was ready for a short break from being stuck in a car for a week with his Grandpa, and I was there to (briefly) rescue him.

I drove up to the city on the first night and met Kyle by himself at the historic Caffe Trieste. He was drinking coffee and playing Kerbal on his laptop. It was Kyle AF. I sat down and we BS'd for a bit, talked about Kerbal, and space stuff. I could tell it was refreshing for him to have someone younger to talk to.

We later met up with Ray and his friends in Chinatown, North of FiDi where I now work. Ray had just panic-purchased a Nikon DSLR because their older Canon had broken (a decision that was wildly controversial for both Kyle and Brian, for the right reasons). Ray's friend was a local tour guide and was showing us the plaza outside the Chinese cultural center. A cultural dance exhibition was happening and it was beautiful and solemn. The sort of thing you watch in silence out of respect. Ray, with his brand new camera, was anxious to put it to use.

He walks up towards the dancers and just starts... loud talking out of excitement. "WOW! LOOK AT THIS! ISN'T THIS AMAZING, KYLE? LOOK AT THOSE DANCERS THIS IS INCREDIBLE! KYLE COME OVER HERE AND TAKE SOME PICTURES! HEY, KYLE! COME HERE!"

I looked over at Kyle and he looked like he wanted to just blast off into space and never return. He was SO EMBARRASSED and desperately did not want to look like a tourist. Kyle and I just up and peaced right then and walked around the block and resumed talking about nerdy things.

There are so many other moments like that from their short 2 day stop in SF, but I treasured all of them. Kyle and I waling around the Wharf drinking at different coffee shops, and of course, smack talk. I ordered a spicy Chinese dish that was too hot and Kyle was over there taking pics and talking smack. With both of Brian's children, that'll always be the legacy between myself and them - fun, endless smack talk.

Later, after they had hit the road for LA, I heard from Brian that Kyle told him how happy he was that he got a bit of a break and got to hang with a "young person" and got to do some genuinely fun stuff in the city. I was always happy for that. I'm not the best tour guide for people that come to my city, but I was happy to have shown Kyle a proper good SF time.

Kyle and I became very close as a result of that adventure. It was a true bonding experience. I'm gonna miss that kid more than words convey.

One of my favorite stories is when Kyle, right around the age of 4, climbs up on my chest as I'm laying down on couch. He looks up at me with those huge eyes and says, "Seth, I love you." Nearly melted my heart.

Brian, Lincoln, Nicole, Perry, please hang tough as Kyle did.

When you fly solo for thousands of miles to a country, it can be daunting. To be greeted by a pair of uniquely brilliant children leaves a lasting imprint and instantly feel welcomed like an old family friend (instead of a nerdy, awkward English guy!).

What strikes me is how quickly they grew between my two chances to visit. Kyles striking, determined nature becoming more apparent. Fearless.

I’ve not been able to visit the D for ten years, so have watched him grow up through the strange world of social media. You could see how he just grew and grew into a clearly incredible young man that made everyone around feel welcome, just like he did as a kid.

My heart goes out to the family and this community. Hug someone today.

About three years ago, Brian, Nicole, Perry and Kyle went camping / roadtriping through most of eastern Canada / US, stopping in Montreal. I was at work but managed to get to a coffee place downtown where they were waiting for me. They wanted to go eat and go for drinks so i brought them to cool places i knew. it was pouring like hell and we were all soaking wet, but laughed and had a good time. After few pints and me teaching them weird / stupid insults in french, we parted way in the metro, where they were standing on the opposite tracks from me. I took this ridiculous pic which still makes me laughs to this day.

Aaron and I were hanging out at the Icrontic house (or as my daughter calls it, The NERD House), probably playing DND. Kyle swaggers in with a trenchcoat and hat, looking sauve, with a giant smile. I remember thinking he was pretty young to have that sort of presence. Super large personality.

Kyle walked over to Brian with a sideways grin and confidently asked for some money and the car keys. He rolled a natural 20 in persuasion with a +8 to charisma. Resistance was futile.