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Forum announcement posted by Frank Cox

He Who Showed Himself To Be Friendly
Once again, we sadly say goodbye to a compatriot. Tito Woody passed away November 27, 2007 while doing what it was that made him Tito Woody. He was fishing, taking advantage of one of his last chances before his lake was sealed by Old Man Winter. His real name is Serge Lapointe, but many of us only know him as Tito Woody. We will certainly always remember him as Tito.

There was no circumstance, it seemed, that could dull his cheerfulness. Sometimes, folks like that can be grating, but not Tito. Rather, his cheer was contagious, refreshing, uplifting, even on a message board. Those who met him shook their heads knowingly when reading his posts or describing him to someone who only knew his writings.

He was the man that lived life well; he was the epitome of “don’t let it get you down.”

Tito Woody was not foolhardy, but he would not shy away from difficult situations, either. It may be that many would not have ventured out on Lake Ontario the day that Tito did, but he took appropriate precautions, trusted in his long-term knowledge (having been a kayak instructor for longer than most people spend in a military career), and went forth to fish. Those who understand the heart of that activity understand that he actually went forth to maintain touch with his humanity.

Sadly, the outdoors, on that particular day, was not what he estimated it to be, and Tito is no longer with us. Experienced outdoorsmen understand that this happens, on occasion, and that it will happen again, on occasion, in spite of all we frail humans try to do to prevent it. This was simply Tito’s day. When it is our time, it is our time. No one knows that better than those who are the most attuned to the outdoors.

One of the posters on Riversmallies had a signature that read something like, “the object of life is not to arrive at heavens gate rested and in great shape, but to slide in sideways, totally spent, saying "Man! What a ride!" Tito did that. We should all live so well.