January 2011

Funeral was yesterday. My wife was out of town and business and family I was only able to go the the viewing but I said my goodbyes to Tony.

Saw a poem on the wall of the mortuary that I wished I’d have taken a picture of. More or less saying, don’t mourn for me, I’m in the wind, I’m in still with you because Life renews. I’m not a religious person, but I tend to believe that happens in one way or another. You pass who you are to your children. They pass it on to theirs. Memories and life experiences of your friends change you and life goes on.

Life goes on. Time to live life, live it more than yesterday.

Tony was a good man.    His daughter will bear the scars of him leaving so young.    I think I bear the ones of my father leaving at 22.    It does’nt matter.    It is what is is.

Theres 2 songs that I can’t get through.   One is danny boy.   My father played me that song before he died.   he sent it to me when I lived in Maryland.   It’s almost like he knew his own mortality.   I don’t think he knew his own legacy.    it was large.   It’s huge to me anyway.

The other is this song.    Rancid, fall back down.   Different time, different era, but from a good friend as well.

Today well ride for tony.   Taking his daughter, and his brother is taking his bike.   Like me, he rode to blow off the stress of the day.   he liked snow canyon and he liked sand hollow.    we’ll go those places and think of him.   I have daughters.   hell, its all ive got.   I think about what my own father passed to me.   material possesions that fade away.       At the end of the day, its whats in your blood that passes on.   he’s in me.  The dunn that as far as I’m concerned started with my grandfather and my dad got, and is in me as well.    I saw his fears, his triumphs, his dark days and his shining moments he was proud of.   those things are in me.    It’s going to take time for that to sink in to tony’s kids.   it took time for me.   Eventually, we all figure out that it’s who we are is whats the most important.   We all figure out that it’s our families, and our gene pool that make us who we are.  It’s why old people like family reunions.

Today is tony’s day.   After that, I’m gonna put it to rest, and hold the memory.

I got some shitty news from my President this morning.   My friend Tony Skougaard passed away last night.   I am in shock.   I am extremely sad.   He was a friend.

I first met Tony in 2001 when I sold my company to a company he worked for.   I immediately liked him.  Tony had an easy going way about him, but also didnt take any shit and voiced his opinion when he had something to say.   We both liked Punk Rock, and would share music.  He knew the new stuff, I knew the old stuff.     He was left wing, I was right wing.   We would debate and give each other shit, all in fun.   I remember when he bought his harley.   He was so stoked, I was the first person from the office he came to show it to.   he bought well, and was proud.   I was jealous.    Tony was one of a kind.   I am going to miss him.   I already miss him.

Our daughters went to summer camp together.   I hired his ex wife for a time.   I had dinner at his house, and he mine.   I introduced him to B.A.C.A.  where he was quite honestly one of the best supporters we had, and was up for his patch.    He didnt care when he got it, he was there for the right reasons.   He pitched in, had your back, and partied hard.     When you needed something, Tony was there.   At least he was there for me.   He helped me more than a few times.

I remember the phone conversations with him about joining BACA, when he was going through a hard time in his life.   He said he was looking for a deeper purpose, something to ride for.   I remember riding to vegas with him and him running out of gas :).   I remember calling him first when I got my first tattoo, after years of him egging me on to get one.    I remember him telling me to be careful, that when you get one, you’ll want more, and he was right.    I remember having hard times myself, and knowing tony had my back, in the ways you know are real.   The darkest night of my life had Tony on the outskirts, watching out for my interests.   I remember him in the passing lane, cutting it close and laughing about it when I was shitting my pants!  I remember riding thunder in the tunnel with him, before either of us was in BACA.   He always had a smart ass comment, a willingness to give you what he had, and a shot of sailor jerry at the end of the day.    He was a good dad and a good friend.  Maybe the best.

I stayed in touch with Tony when I started up my own company again.   He was one of the best customer service managers you’ll ever see, and hired him as a consultant to teach my people how to do things right.     He was honest, and thorough.    What you see is what you get, and what you got was true.  You don’t get that good without being genuine.   Tony was.

His daughter found him this morning.    It rips my heart out, and I’m struggling to get over it.     There is a hole left where only spike could fill.    Rest in peace my brother.   We’ll all miss you.

Rancid and Green Day will never sound the same again bro.   You were one of a kind.   Ride hard where you’re at.