death notice: Gordon Gilbert Formsma, 71, of Pensacola died Thursday, April 28, 2011. Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel is in charge of arrangements. UPDATE: Online guest book at their website.
The memorial service will be on May 7 at 11:30 at Christ Church, Pensacola, FL, the church my folks attended for over 10 years, and in which my dad was an avid choir member. (They have a big organ there and use it well.) He will not be buried but will be cremated and placed in a crematorium in Christ Church. This is a great comfort to my mom, who will still be in the area and at that church. No viewing and visitation.
We are asking that folks not send flowers (if you already have, no worries, we just don't have a lot of room for them at my mom's condo) but there is a memorial set up that will go to supporting music at Christ Church. This fund has brought in a number of large names such as Anonymous 4. My dad had hoped to bring in the Raleigh Ringers (hand bell ensemble) but the plans never came together.
A lot of people are asking what happened? How did he get so sick so fast? Well, we are asking that too. It was quick on all accounts, partially because we were not understanding how seriously sick he was until Easter Monday. There is some indication that he might have know all was not well possibly as early as two years ago. We're not sure if he knew and didn't share or didn't realize how serious his condition was then. He became a bit wobbly (bad balance) around the beginning of the year, that turned into a fall somewhere in March. After he was hospitalized after the fall (not for any damage from the fall though) he became more and more anxious and confused. Everyone who saw him said it looked like he had a stroke, though there was no indication that that happened. It was within 30 days of that hospitalization that he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
We are feeling very cared for. We are also absolutely blessed by the number of people coming forward with stories of how my father's life touched and changed theirs for the better. It is truly a testimony to his love music and education that so many people grieve his passing. Thank you again for keeping our family in your prayers.
1 comment:
Cat, give my love to your mom. Call if you want to talk.
How is little guy taking things? I remember being at mom's house was hard on Isaac right after dad died; he'd melt down shouting out for Papa and didn't quite understand that Papa wouldn't be there. Hardest thing I ever lived through.
Your dad's life was music... not in the "music is my life" kind of way, but in the "his life was lyric and genuine" kind of way. I'm so thankful to have known him, and so thankful that he gave the world you....
And I noticed on the funeral home site that he and I have the same birthday... you never told me that!
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