the question is does his family know about that website
Not sure, dear Miz Shirl (the greatest of love and peace to you, girl!). When you create your site it asks where you want it published and I chose the same paper where the short obit is, so... My thinking is that if anyone did a search for "Eric Reeder" they would be directed there. And you know how I believe in and feel about JAH's will - LOL!
and if folks here do go to that website and say they knew Eric from this website . . . I think that would be a big turnoff to them, getting condolences from "those evil apostates".
Perhaps, dear one. OR... some could actually be experiencing Borg "lonliness" themselves and go, "Hey, wait a minute, he had FRIENDS before this? People LOVED him?? You can leave the Borg and make friends... with people who understand what you feel and think like you do?? Maybe what the "Society" says isn't completely true!" If I was a finger-crossin' woman, that's what I would hope for. Along with the [okay, slim] chance that the PAPER will take note, if they receive a BUNCH of these memorials and ask what's up ("Wait, who was this guy, Eric Reed, and what are all these people on about/memorializing him FOR?")... if not do an investigative piece. Yes, it is exploiting what happened to dear Eric just a tad... but I would bet all I own that he would want it, if not to pay tribute to himself, to potentially help anyone of those responsible take some kind of note... or help prevent a similar demise with someone. It might even direct someone here (and I could have directed them a different site, if you get my drift).
So... win-win, IMHO, except perhaps not for the WTBTS/local congregation leaders.
BTW, girl, I just have to mention that I picture the originator of this thread just seething saying to herself "why did she take over MY thread" ! - LOL
You know, I thought of that, dear one, as well as just creating an entirely new post given our "history," but decided to give the OP the benefit of the doubt and assign some level of maturity to both of us, under the circumstances. And so I TRULY hope what you suggest ISN'T the case because, again... this isn't about either one of US, but someone we mutually regarded and perhaps loved. In such a case, there really is no place for our personal opinions of one another: plenty of other times, threads, and and topics for that but not now, here, or this topic. So I posted here, rather than do another thread (which I actually thought would be insulting TO the OP), in the HOPES that for just a few seconds and under the circumstances others can (and will) put any issues with me aside and keep in mind that others cared about dear Oompa, too... and so ANY ideas to show what ANY of us can do is fitting.
[Also, the post indicated no one in particular in its address and while I realize some might not regard me as part of "we", such should have been clarified were that that case... under the circumstances. I wasn't, so I felt... free.]
So, now, back to dear Eric's situation...
Peace to you, dear one!
YOUR servant and a slave of Christ,
SA