My friend Colm Butterly passed away this week.  He was only 47 years old and leaves behind a loving wife and a small son, both of whom he adored.   He was warm, generous, funny, brilliant, gentle and kind.  Although I never met him in the "real" world, he was just as much a friend and mentor as anyone I've ever known.  He touched my life and was the kind of person we should all want to be.  He gave of his time and energy without ever asking for anything in return.  My heart hurts for the friend I lost and I will miss him. I grieve for a person I never met "in person" but considered him to be a friend and mentor.  I live in the USA and he was in Ireland.  I have long wanted to visit Ireland and planned a visit in the not too distant future.  Now my visit will have a bit of sadness.  Out of all of the people I have met in my online travels, Colm was one of the most generous people online - or offline. 

Until we meet on the other side my friend.  Godspeed.

To learn more, here are some tributes to Colm:

http://www.kinsaletimes.com/our-friend-colm/
http://www.randolfsmith.com/?p=50
http://www.mark-mcwilliams.com/in-honour-of-my-friend-colm-butterly/
http://www.squidoo.com/ColmButterly
http://johnszramblog.com/a-tribute-to-colm-butterly/
http://www.lee-mcintyre.com/blog/in-praise-of-colm-butterly-we-will-never-forget
http://www.warriorforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=207792
http://paula-brett.com/blog/general/colm-butterly/
http://newbie-faqs.blogspot.com/2007/12/sad-news-of-passing-of-our-friend-and.html