Death be not proud...be campy!
A recently deceased sports fan was viewed in a somewhat unique way at the local funeral home:
Jul 6, 2005
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- James Henry Smith was a zealous Pittsburgh Steelers fan in life, and even death could not keep him from his favorite spot: in a recliner, in front of a TV showing his beloved team in action. Smith, 55, of Pittsburgh, died of prostate cancer Thursday. Because his death wasn't unexpected, his family was able to plan for an unusual viewing Tuesday night. The Samuel E. Coston Funeral Home erected a small stage in a viewing room, and arranged furniture on it much as it was in Smith's home on game day Sundays. Smith's body was on the recliner, his feet crossed and a remote in his hand. He wore black and gold silk pajamas, slippers and a robe. A pack of cigarettes and a beer were at his side, while a high-definition TV played a continuous loop of Steelers highlights. "I couldn't stop crying after looking at the Steeler blanket in his lap," said his sister, MaryAnn Nails, 58. "He loved football and nobody did (anything) until the game went off. It was just like he was at home." Longtime friend Mary Jones called the viewing "a celebration.""I saw it and I couldn't even cry," she said. "People will see him the way he was." Smith's burial plans were more traditional - he'll be laid to rest in a casket.
I think it's terrific, actually, that the family and the funeral home were able to honor his devotion, laziness and chain smoking by replicating a typical Sunday afternoon wasted in front of the television. One can imagine a variety of ways that other important, more accomplished folks will be remembered...
* Star Wars creator George Lucas dressed in Jedi robes with a lightsaber velcroed in hand, propped up and facing off against an equally inanimate mannequin of Darth Vader?
* Beloved Microsoft founder Bill Gates sitting in front of a computer screen, his finger resting on top of a mouse, as flying toasters float by reflecting off his glasses?
* The talented Yo-Yo-Ma sitting upright in a chair while "playing" his cello? We could attach a lever to his elbow that would move the bow string in his hand across the instrument...
Jul 6, 2005
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- James Henry Smith was a zealous Pittsburgh Steelers fan in life, and even death could not keep him from his favorite spot: in a recliner, in front of a TV showing his beloved team in action. Smith, 55, of Pittsburgh, died of prostate cancer Thursday. Because his death wasn't unexpected, his family was able to plan for an unusual viewing Tuesday night. The Samuel E. Coston Funeral Home erected a small stage in a viewing room, and arranged furniture on it much as it was in Smith's home on game day Sundays. Smith's body was on the recliner, his feet crossed and a remote in his hand. He wore black and gold silk pajamas, slippers and a robe. A pack of cigarettes and a beer were at his side, while a high-definition TV played a continuous loop of Steelers highlights. "I couldn't stop crying after looking at the Steeler blanket in his lap," said his sister, MaryAnn Nails, 58. "He loved football and nobody did (anything) until the game went off. It was just like he was at home." Longtime friend Mary Jones called the viewing "a celebration.""I saw it and I couldn't even cry," she said. "People will see him the way he was." Smith's burial plans were more traditional - he'll be laid to rest in a casket.
I think it's terrific, actually, that the family and the funeral home were able to honor his devotion, laziness and chain smoking by replicating a typical Sunday afternoon wasted in front of the television. One can imagine a variety of ways that other important, more accomplished folks will be remembered...
* Star Wars creator George Lucas dressed in Jedi robes with a lightsaber velcroed in hand, propped up and facing off against an equally inanimate mannequin of Darth Vader?
* Beloved Microsoft founder Bill Gates sitting in front of a computer screen, his finger resting on top of a mouse, as flying toasters float by reflecting off his glasses?
* The talented Yo-Yo-Ma sitting upright in a chair while "playing" his cello? We could attach a lever to his elbow that would move the bow string in his hand across the instrument...
posted by Alan at 9:48 AM
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