ABOUT A year ago, I published a letter in your paper searching for my grandmother's family, the Champagnies.' Someone contacted me as a result of this and his name was Alvin. He was able to get me contacted to several of the members of that family.
I have been communicating with Alvin via e-mail on and off over the past year. I have even consulted with him for his advice on some personal issues I had. In my eyes, he was like a brother to me. I knew that he was fighting a battle with cancer and that he had been in and out of the hospital.
I found out today that Alvin passed away in July. Even though I had never met him I feel like I have lost a brother. I would always look forward to getting e-mails from him. He was smart, extremely intellectual, caring and a warm person. Even though we never met, it feels like I have known him all my life. I am glad that he made such an impact on me. Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.
