It is a very sad story locally. This Elder owned a construction business (yeah, go figure huh) and apparently a 1,000 lb beam feel upon his head.
Read the article here, and also the hypocrisy contained in it. http://ydr.inyork.com/ci_9421831
Look how he played sports in high school, attended football games, etc. I'm dumbfounded by the article, as no "normal" JW could get away with this. By the way, he was the PO last time I checked.
Since I know of him personally, I can say that he was for the most part a nice guy. But at the end of the article where it talks about how he "visited a sickly congregation member in the hospital, etc." is where I become nausious. You see, I nor my family ever got a sheperding call from this "loving brother" when we were in need. I actually called him when my last parent was ill last year near death, asking for a sheparding call. He couldn't get away from me fast enough, and passed the responsability onto the local elders where I was at. Actually, he gave me THEIR numbers and told ME to contact them. Ah yes, what a fine, loving shephard this man was.
I will be attending the funeral, as his mother is an absolutely wonderful person and I want to support her. Did I mention, he didn't attend either of my parent's funerals, even though they/me were members of their congregation? Yeah....I really feel the love from the loving org here.
Don't get me wrong, this is tragic. I'm just sharing my experiences as well. Most of the time he was nice, but this article made me sick on so many levels.
Regards,
Wing Commander