96 replies to this topic

[Jeff Belanger]

Dear Ghostvillagers,

It's with a heavy heart that I need to report that one of our own has passed on. Dave Gotcher, better known to us all as Mykiedave, passed away on Sunday, June 12th from complications related to diabetes.

Please watch tomorrow's newsletter and this thread for more on this great guy. Dave was a storyteller, a writer, an entertainer, and a man who knew magic was real. He will be missed, but I know if there's an Internet connection in the afterlife, he'll be checking in on us and smiling.

Please join me in supporting Mykiedave's wife, and your fellow Ghostvillager, Holly. She needs our thoughts, prayers, and good energy sent her way right now.

If you'd like to share your own Mykiedave story, please feel free to add to this thread. I'll be adding my own story tomorrow afternoon.

Thank you, Mykiedave for being a Ghostvillager and a friend. And I know I speak for more than 8,000 Ghostvillagers when I say we're here for you, Holly.

-Jeff

[DSF]

I have no words to say now that we have lost one of the best storytellers I have ever had the honor to know. Mykiedave was an incredible person, full of humor, warmth, love, and most of all, laughter. He could tell a story, throught the Internet, like I've never seen.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Holly as well as his family. He will be missed here around the village quite a bit as he has been a key figure on the message boards.

I spoke with Holly this afternoon and she is devastated. Please send some prayers and support her way. Her email address is: hollyzgrace@hotmail.com - if you would like her address to send her a card, send me a PM. I will also make sure that she sees a copy of this thread.

Mykiedave, I'll miss you!

[DSF]

One of Mykiedave's very first posts:

Quote

Hi There,

I was born and pretty much raised on the West Coast. Primarily California, mostly Los Angeles area, but I have traveled alot in my wild mis-spent youth  : My first experience happened when I was about five years old. We had just moved back to Ca from Florida (Navy Dad) and had passed thru Texas to get here. We stopped to visit my Father's Family. This was the last time I ever really saw my Grandfather in the flesh.

We had moved into our new house and my brother and I had bunk beds. I was in the top bunk as I was older, and my brother was (and still IS) a world class clutz. I dreamt one night that I had rolled out of bed and started to fall to the hard wood floor when a man caught me. He was solid and warm and smelled like cherry tobacco. He had on a denim shirt and jeans. He held me close to his chest and just said,"Eeeeeasy there." and laughed as he laid me on the floor. He tussled my hair and then just seemed to fade from view. The next morning my Mother found me asleep on the floor. When she asked me how I got down there I told her about falling and the man who caught me. She just assumed it was a dream. A few days later my Dad had to leave. This was nothing new (Navy Dad remember?) but my Mother was more sad then regular. When I asked her what was wrong she said my Grandpa (On my dad's side) had died a few days earlier and Dad was going to the funeral. I told her I fealt bad because I couldn't recall what he looked like. We'ld been spending so much time with her Dad that he was my Grandpa mind set. She got a photo of him and I told her that that was the man who caught me when I fell out of bed the other night...of course I'm sure you've guessed it. That was the night he passed away. My Mother thought it best not to tell my Father as he didn't believe in that sort of thing. She was convinced when I told her about the cherry tobacco smell. He smoked a pipe, but never in front of us kids. It was one of the very few secrets I ever kept from my Father. But only because I knew he'ld know the answer one day.

Mykiedave 

[DSF]

Another picture of Mykiedave from his storytelling website:

[freyjasdottir]

The first and only I time I actually heard Dave was Jeff's first time on Magic Mind radio and Dave called in after me. His voice was just like I thought it would be, just friendly and personable, like him. If I know nothing else about Dave is that he loved(s) Holly more than anything, you can tell in every post he made when he spoke of her.

We'll miss you Dave.

[Yosei]

I am really saddened to hear this---he was someone who really added a lot to this place and was very kind. I'm not sure what to really say except this is horrible news. My condolences to Holly.

[krcguns]

OMG...I am shocked. I don't know what to say except that Dave will be missed around here. He was a very good spirit and will come back again to this world an even better one. Holly, you are a lucky woman to have had such a kind spirit touch your life and be grateful for every minute the two of you had together. We are here for you and if you need anything, no matter how small or large it may be, you let us know, you have all my best wishes to get through this very difficult time in your life.

[lulaboo]

It's really difficult to say much at times like this because simple words just never seem to be enough to express the true sentiment behind them.

My thoughts and prayers are with Holly and the family. Mykiedave will be missed by us all.

[cathylj73]

My prayers are with you Holly and to your family. He will be missed.
Cathy

[Vampchick21]

I never know what to say at a time like this, but Holly, you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.

[juliet_keller]

You are in our prayers and thoughts tonight! We are very sorry for your loss! Julie Keller and Dave Mackie

[DukeofBoogie]

I did not have the pleasure of getting to know Mykiedave, but my heart goes out to his family. They will be in my prayers.

[Justa]

My thoughts and prayers are with you Holly. Mykie was a great man, a great mod, and he will be missed deeply.

[kats_god]

I am truely at a loss for words. I will miss Dave very much. He brought a bright light to this village of ours. Dave was one of the first people that made me feel welcome on this site and aways had great input on whatever subject was brought up. I am here for you Holly in whatever you may need.

[Willow]

Mykie was one of those incredibly gifted people that had the ability to make you cry and laugh in the same breath, atleast this was the affect he had on me. I will miss his wonderful sense of humour, warm personality, and endless amount of knowledge and I feel blessed to have known him.

Holly, you and your family are in my heart and prayers. If there is anything you need, you know we are all here for you.