About Lugnut -- Patrick Malone


Many of us have come to know Patrick Malone (Lugnut) as a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and kind individual. He is a frequent and enthusiastic contributor to our analog discussion forum. He has initiated only 17 threads, but responded to 559 threads. I would guess that many, if not most, of us can recall a time when Pat replied with helpful advice to a question we posted or helped us track down a rare recording. I have come to love Pat as a friend, and to respect him as a man, and I suspect many of you share those feelings.

Today I write to share difficult news with you. Pat has been diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer. It has yet to be determined whether surgery will even be worth it. If surgery is performed, most or all of the stomach will be removed, and Pat would face a difficult and long post-op period in the hospital. The medical course is still uncertain, but will be determined soon. Whatever is decided, it will not be easy or pleasant.

Something may be planned in the future to assist the family. For now, Pat could use some of the friendship he so often and willingly showed us. You can email Pat at: lugnut50@msn.com. You can also mail cards, letters ... or whatever. You may email me for Pat's mailing address. My email is: pfrumkin1@comcast.net.

I hope to spend a few days with Pat in Idaho or Nebraska (from which he hails) soon. Between this news, my legal work, getting ready for family arriving for the holidays, Audio Intelligent, and trying to make plans to visit Pat, my head is spinning. If you email me and I don't respond, please understand that I am not ignoring you, but rather simply do not have time to reply.

Pat may or may not have time to respond to posts here, to emails, or to cards mailed to him. But he has asked me to convey to each and every one of you that he has cherished your friendship, your comradery, and sharing our common hobby on this great website.

As we prepare for our holiday season celebrations, and look forward to -- as we should -- enjoying this time of year, I ask that you keep Pat and his family in mind ... and softly offer up, in quiet moments in the still of night and early morning, prayers for Pat and his family. God bless.

Warmest regards to all,
Paul Frumkin
paul_frumkin
As always you and your family remain in our thoughts and prayers. I really wish there was more to say in words to convey just how much you and your family are thought of and prayed for.

I happened to read the post prior to trying to go to bed last night. There were a few moments I was able to reflect upon many things in life, as I was not really able to get to sleep.

Of all the things, different names kept popping up in my head for your and Barb's pup. Everything audio related that is cute, to everything "Lugnut" moniker that came to mind as well.

Now, I honestly have not posted much on the thread, but rather emailed you personally as I am not as eloquent with words as just about everyone else posting at this point.

However, you have been more than brutally honest and open with us, and I too feel you deserve the same back from us.

From the very beginning of this thread, to current day, the way you have handled yourself with grace, dignity, selflessness, the concern for others, and how they move forward with their lives will not pale or fade with time. My thoughts as I layed in bed kept coming back to your demeanor, your guidance, strength, inner peace and where you derived this from. Coupled with the known fact your reluctance to "witness" (please forgive me if too strong a term) or perhaps desire to show the devout faith you possess from fear of turning others from the thread. Please take solace in the fact, those of us that understand where your destination lies will shed tears for you and your loved ones, both tears in sorrow to see you go, tears of thankfulness to have been blessed to know you, tears of comfort to know you are without pain and in a much better place, tears of realization that you helped direct us back onto the correct path in life reminding us what is important.

Again please forgive me for my rambling, for I feel my thoughts are never even close to being so composed and organized as yours, Pat.

With all that in mind, as well as much, much more that my overactive imagination would take me days to try to convey... I seemed to "land" on a name for the pup.

It kept coming up in my mind, as to, what has Pat obviously possessed from the onset of his unfortunate news? Whom has Pat turned to for stregnth, comfort, inner peace, (as well as Barb, family , & freinds)? Whom has Pat referred to as a bigger part of this working through him to convey to us all? Whom will Pat be in the presence of after he has passed? Whom has Pat subtely been re-directing some of us, leading others of us to? What would Pat want us to fill our lives to lead us in the right direction after he has passed?

Now, I don't want to be overly "religious/zealous/etc." however, again, Pat has been openly honest with me, and I will do the same for him. Before it is too late for Pat to read how he has redirected/reminded me personally and I regret not saying so.

Whether the above questions are taken from a Biblical / Religious / Christian perspective or just what Pat seems to evoke in the most common sense of the word... the word/name that kept coming to mind for your new pup is:

Spirit

As you know, you have this in spades Pat, on all levels. Now, whether or not it is fitting for Barb's pooch is up to both of you. I hope my ramblings made some sense.

As always, I will be praying for all of you. Go ahead, angle for that "lake front property" as I think you may already have the land waiting for you!

May God Bless and keep you and your loved ones in comfort and peace.

With love,
Kirk
My vote is for Luggy.

Pat, there is so little left to say other than your almost home. I know from my personal experiences that you soon will feel the freedom from the immense constraints our human existence provides to our soul. I know you are about to experience the love that created us all, and it is good. Soon my friend, and it will truly be a relief. But not just for you, but you have allowed us all to understand the experience and we too are ready.

No we will not feel the freedom you are about to experience, but you have prepared us. Thank you for the unselfish journey.

The experience of life (that which you are about to have) is beyond words. Unlike me, you will not be given the option to return to this experience, but instead you will be welcomed into an eternal life that you will recognize as home.

Welcome home Pat, you have had quite a journey, and it is time to rest. God is waiting, as are all the souls who have been watching over you. Soon you will remember all you have forgotten here on earth. The love that has created all that is, and all that is not will be your solace, and it is good.

You have left Barb a wonderful blanket of love which she can wrap around her soul. Your time with Barb is not over, it is only different. The love you have left behind will support her, and the love you are about to experience will be the future. You will continue to hold her, even more now, for your soul is free to carry hers.

I'm sure little of this means much right now, or even makes sense, but it will. Barb, you will never be alone for Pat will be with you forever. I do not mean just his memory, but his spirit and his soul. His work here on earth is done, but his sharing a journey with you is only partially complete. Asking for his comfort and love will bring him to your side. Your soul will recognise his, and you will find comfort. I suggest you have something agreed upon. Mine is "tickle neck" and I feel it with those who are supporting me. I have told my kids and wife that when I'm gone, they will know I am next to them every time they seek me, by the feeling on the back of the neck. Right where the hair starts, I feel it often when I think of "home" and I know it to be love.

Pat, thank you.
Pat and Barb:

I am not sure we will get to chat again. I will try to call tomorrow but know how tiring this must be. It has been a pleasure and an honor to help out in whatever way I could. You are remarkable people. Everything I have seen from the warmth and generosity of the thread suggests there is a higher being, we couldn't have reached this level on owr own (my own two cents and not proselytizing, so please no one take offense).

On a more upbeat note, I do have a name for the dog, phoenix. My sister-in-laws nephew, whom they treated like a son, died tragically at a very early age and they inherited his wonderful dog. As fate would have it, the dogs name was phoenix and it has been a great source of joy and consolation for the last few years. My prayers are with you both for a peaceful and graceful parting.

Gary
I was sitting down in my office chair this morning and as the norm checking the thread. As I set there somberly reading my two grandchildren came bounding into the room. I have a 6 year old grandson and 4 year old native american grandaughter. Looking at me they both noticed something amis and my grand daughter said "grandapa, whats wrong", concerned etched on her face. I tried to explain in a way I thought they would understand and my grand daughter took my face in her tiny little hands, concern etched in her big blue eyes and said "Grandpa Its okay he's going to be with God"
Since Paul started this thread I’ve been going along with the thread and learning about many of the people on Audiogon including Pat and liking what I see about the people of Audiogon but not knowing what to say. Boy, now that’s a sentence! Out of the blue today I talked with Nate about an amp he used to own that I own now and I brought up this thread to him. After I got back home from a road trip tonite to listen to a NEWAS member’s handbuilt amp no less I logged on and saw new posts to this thread and began reading and decided I do have something that I would like to say. Welcome Barb :-) first. We’ve read a lot about you and you are a welcome addition to Audiogon. The other thing I have to say came about on the drive back from Appleton after talking with Nate and having a chance to think about the conversation. which is sometimes a dangerous thing. In my life I need both my fingers and my toes to count the number of people in my immediate family I have learned about cancer and heart disease and death since my father died when I was fifteen. One thing I have learned about the afterlife is it is right here inside of me with the memories that I carry with me every day. My children never got to meet my dad but between my mom (she’s 84 and still going strong) and I my kids have learned about dad and the other relatives that they did or didn’t know. My kid's and I even had a lesson when we got to see the house my mom grew up in in the 1920's. so cool!!! So I guess what I’m trying to say is that if when we can remember these things that have created an impact on out lives and pass that along to others we actually have an afterlife right here for the living but for all those fingers and toes that have gone before me I sure would like to see them again and can only imagine where they are now. Time will tell but I really feel that I will see them again and they are going to be smiling and their feet will be a’tappin and chili will be on the stove. At least I hope so. As far as the puppy I like the anagram idea but! Taking care of a puppy is sort of like strapping yourself into a high strung Nova (or in my case a ’69 Boss 302) and just let it go and see what is going to happen. How about Nova?

Bossman