This document is a collection of messages from friends and family mourning the loss of Gene/Geno Garrett who passed away. The messages express sadness over his death, share fond memories of him, and offer condolences to his family. Gene is remembered for his positive spirit, kindness, and the inspiration he provided to others despite facing health challenges.

2. To all friends of Gene. I am so sorry to
tell you that our Gene passed away
this morning at 4:30. You were
amazing during his illness. I love you
all for loving him. We will all miss him.
Chris Garrett
I have sad news about my brother
Geno. He passed away early this
morning. He couldn't hold out for the
new liver that he so desperately
needed. I will miss him.
Bob Garrett
Facebook
July 31, 2012

4. Jane
Pavis
I am so sorry for your loss. I went to grade school with Geno
and had recently reconnected with him. He was truly an
inspiration to me; he was positive despite his illness--as one
of his friends posted, if only his body had been as strong as
his spirit, because nothing could break THAT. What truly
impressed me is that I could see, 38 years later, that he was
STILL the wonderful boy I grew up with--he had blossomed
into a truly vibrant, lovely person. Keeping your family in my
prayers.

7. I'm very sorry to hear about my friend
Gene's passing. I met Gene working at
Swissport for Air Jamaica account back in
2009-2010. I think our account gave him
the hardest of troubles when it came to
audit time....lol! He always made me smile- Kimberly
laugh. He seemed to have such a positive Fulmer
outlook and life and really enjoyed life
which can teach us all something. Despite
what he had going on in his own life he
always took time with his friends to listen
and make someone smile. He will truly be
missed and I just wish he could have
gotten that well deserved transplant. My
sympathy goes out to his family right now
at this difficult time.

9. Geno said ...
So, MY way of dealing with it is
with humor and as positive an
attitude as I can muster up. I get
so much good out of positive
and friendly support - like your
letter here to me - and it helps
more than anything else I do to
"feel the love" and support I get.
Next comes that liver, and I just
have to wait my turn. It's been a
lot longer than I thought the wait
would be, but I'm hanging in
there. Thanks again SO much
for asking!

10. I am so sorry for your loss. Gene was a great friend and I
have learned a lot from him, I loved him like a brother.
When I talked to him few weeks ago I promised I was going
to send him some Greek grape leaves again he loved
them, but I didn't fulfilled my promise. I do not have any
words to say -- even though I live in Boston I will miss so
much just thinking he is gone. My prayers will always be
with him.
Toula
Glaropoulos

13. The world has lost a beautiful
soul. Geno was a great person
and the consummate embodiment
of all of the honorable values and
character of the Madison Scouts
organization; all of us who knew
him have been graced by his
friendship. He always believed life
is good and worth living to the
fullest. Geno, you are loved and
will be dearly missed.
Mary Beth Vono

14. Wow! I got the giant tinker toys set! 40
something years ago that is. I'm sure I built
an empire with them that Christmas day.
And my warm fuzzy PJ's with the footies
are the best! =D

15. My heart goes out to the Garrett
family with tears in my eyes and a
knot in my throat I've known Gene
for 15yrs. We had good moments
and shared our deepest secrets.
We gave each other advice. He
shared the most special moments
like my wedding and baptisms.
We also worked together with
Swissport and USA 3000. My
dear friend I will miss you, our
talks, your advice -- especially
when you said
Ana wazzzup!
Miranda

17. Kim Sudano
Terdina
Geno I am so sorry but God has another Angel. You
now are at rest and in charge of the Lords Drum line..
R.I.P Geno God Bless and thoughts and prayers to
your family. Til we meet again my friend........

19. I'm very saddened by this news,
Geno. I hadn't heard back from you
and I had a bad feeling you never got
your liver. You were such a rockstar
through this entire process, and so
strong. I admired your courage and
positive spin on a crappy situation. I'm
glad we were able to reconnect over
the past few years (thank you
Facebook). It's been a pleasure
having known you, and may you
finally be at peace!!!
Christina
Armellini-Teel

22. It's hard to say goodbye to such a big part of my youth.. I
have faith I'll see you again.. It's dark, rainy and
thundering here today which is rare and it feels
appropriate.. It's gonna haunt me for a long time Geno,
but I'll be eternally grateful for all the prairie path
excursions, the wild meadows wargames,
the nights playing 'kick the can'..
Al's grumpy Hobby shop..
we sure all had a great time
as kids. I'm so glad we
reconnected here. I just feel
like "Father Time" was
especially nasty in this case...
Ron Tocco

24. Greg Potter
Chino, Chino, Chino,
Drums, drag racing,
and Rat Fink. None
will be the same
without you!
You were loved by the Potter's like a family member. Well.....
except for that Cubs hat you always wore! I miss you.....my
brother. Thank You for being the friend you were! The most
supportive, understanding, brilliant, human being to ever deal
with the experiences we went through! We were a crazy
team. I could not have done half of it without you........

26. Shocked and saddened to Geo Heinrich
hear of Geno's passing. A
sweeter and kinder person
there never was. The world
just got a little colder. We
love you, brother.
Geno, will miss our late night talks
on line about drum corps, the
cubbies, da bears and cars....I'll be
at da bears game on Sept 13th and
Cliff will have a sign just for you
DeArment bro....look for it from the heavens...

28. Isn't Geno inspiring? Notice, I didn't say "wasn't"? That's because he
is continuing to inspire me today. I have been wrapped in grief, yet
today I am inspired by him. I see he had so much life inside him. So
much so, that he continuously poured it out to others. Maybe he had
just emptied himself out prematurely, with so much that he
constantly gave...... So, he was a true example of LIFE and VITALITY.
That never changed after his diagnosis and he started to seriously
feel the ill effects. He still maintained that positive intestinal fortitude
and his pursuit of life to the fullest. I look at the example Gene gave
all of us--though his life hung in the balance he never stopped
believing in life to the fullest and further, that he could beat this thing
once the new liver arrived. Sadly he didn't get that chance. But
happily, he is having this effect on me: Through him I have learned
that I need to carry-on in this life doing what he was able to do--live it
more fully; pour into others; enjoy it and choose hope, love and life
despite life's circumstances. He was able to do that despite being in
an impossible situation. Thank you Geno, for inspiring me to be
more vital and life-giving in this life--just as you are. Love, PeeWee
Graphic from Gene’s Facebook Album

30. I still can't believe you are
gone ): I am going to miss
calling you and hearing
your voice and hearing you
give me your thoughts, and
advice, and just your sense
of humor and warm heart
made me always feel
better about myself, you
were such a great friend
and I am truly going to
miss you Geno, I just know
I will see you again one of Stina Bear
these days, RIP Geno

32. I had the incredible privilege to know
Gene and to work with him every
single day in the past four years. He
was incredibly passionate about
aviation, he genuinely cared about
people, and was my number one
confidant at work. I have no words to
express his loss and to the Garrett
family, my sincere condolences.
Knowing him, he would have rather
been flying, playing drums, or driving
his red Mustang than being at a
hospital. Gene, you will be missed by
Marlon all of us who had the privilege to know
Garcia you - and yes you are right, the B757
is the best airplane in the world!

35. Chris Garrett
I am overcome by all your beautiful posts -- I am weeping
tears of sadness and joy -- and some laughter through the
tears as well. Thank you thank you thank you ... you give me
strength I need to put one foot in front of the other today.
He was quite a guy, huh?

36. Thank you, thank you . . . I am so touched by all your
comments . . . he was very lucky to have such wonderful
people in his life . . so unbelievable to see below friends
from growing up, co-workers, Drum corps, etc. Really
something. He put up such a tough fight . . . I don't know
how he could do it for so long . . can't find the words, but
want to thank you all . . .
Suzy (Garrett)
Wheatland - sister

39. Beautiful. There are so many of Jodi Garrett-
us who will miss him. Every day
when I get on facebook, I think of Opunui
him and miss seeing his posts.
You are all in my prayers. Geno
will be missed by so many,
including myself. Mom and I both
send our love and prayers to all
of you.
Wow, just shocked. So sad to
hear that. He was such a
fantastic guy.
Sera Weissgerber

42. Gene, I didn't even know you were gone. OMG ! I prayed for
you every night. I know the road you walked. My husband
walked the same road. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Gene. You are another star in the sky. Say Hi to my
husband Sam. He's the love of my life and you were a great
friend. You are with the Holy Mighty one now. Our Lord God
took you from us and you are in no more pain and suffering.
God only takes the best. You fought a good fight but now it's
time to live forever and start you new life in heaven. I will
miss you my friend. You are in my heart. Sleep in peace and
enjoy the Kingdom of Heaven....
Kathy Brozek-Cammack

43. We are still having a hard time
accepting that you are gone.
You have been a part of our
family for so many years!
John and Thanks for giving us laughter,
great memories and a life time
Carol Kirk of friendship that we will
treasure and someday we will
meet again and share with you
in that special place that you
have choose to go to way to
early in your life. We love you
Gene and miss you already.

45. Dang it Geno you were
supposed to be one of the
lucky ones to get your new
liver. I am glad you are out of
pain though. One lesson we
can all take away from this is
don't ignore our health.
Geo Heinrich
Watching the Scouts now will was just sitting here
even give me even more watching some corps videos
goosebumps. and thought of ya
buddy...still say it's not fair
Beverly Krohn and that god should have
taken some idiot instead of
Peacock you, but then again he
needed a good one by his
side

47. The jokes about de-icing seminars in Orlando
rather than Buffalo, always sending each other
a ribbing message when Blackhawks and
Sabres played, and who can forget the Dairy
Queen! I had an urge to go last night and did. I
am sorry that Gene and I never got to meet up
for wings and beer, but like with many, he
always could put a smile on my face even just
through the internet. He was truly one of the
good guys in this crazy world, and my thoughts
go out to his family and his many friends from
all the different activities and jobs he was
involved in.
Danielle Potts

49. Gene, such a good spirit, I am at a loss
right now! I know you will be a sweet
spirit watching over us now. MYNWA and
my sincere condolences to the Garrett
family God bless you and know that you
are being prayed for by a huge extended
drum corps family that extends beyond
the Madison Scouts.
Stephanie Louden

51. Christine Seipp
Thomas
Oh Chris Garrett...my heart goes
out to you. I can't imagine the
pain your family is going through.
You do have wonderful
memories. xoxo

53. James R. Funk III
Time to share my story I suppose. Gene and I met on DCP
just like a lot of others here. We seem to have had this
"connection" right off the bat. We had the same humor I
suspect was the reason. Got to know him through private
conversations and public, and always looked forward to the
next. One summer in 2008 Gene invited me to come to
Elmhurst for the weekend for the Taste of Chicago Festival.
So that was the first and last time I met him in person. I have
several photos of our weekend, and one I will always smile at.

56. "On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love gave to me: 12
DRUMMERS DRUMMING - who were
one of the best ever drum lines ever
in the entire existence of the
universe and beyond, forever times
infinity plus 1..."