I met Danny and Linda in the late 90's. They lived directly across the street from me on Barbara Place. It was in 2005 that Katrina gave both of us a glimpse of reality and brought us to our knees. Needless, to say our lives were seriously disrupted, but brotherly love enabled our survival during Mandeville's rebirth. Danny loaned me his gas grill to cook meals and his son David graciously included my grocery list when he would obtain supplies for his father. I will always be thankful to David for his kindness. It took weeks before power was restored to Mandeville so that gave Danny and I a lot of time to discuss the Saints, LSU, Notre Dame and politics.
In 2013 my wife of 46 years suddenly died within 27 days of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. At that time, friends and good neighbors became my family. Danny was sincere, caring and genuinely concerned about my feelings, my health and my future. We both had multiple medical and cardiac problems and we often discussed our possible medical outcomes. The big lesson that each of us learned about natural disasters and death is that we have to be thinking about the unthinkable because sometimes the unthinkable happens.
In 2019 I moved to Lafayette, Louisiana after living on Barbara Place for 45 years. Danny and I spoke frequently over the telephone and we always planned on visiting again, but Covid became our next natural disaster we would have to encounter. Our health issues became priority and our friendship had to suffer due to our fears and concerns for each other.
Today, I regret that we didn't get to visit with each other just one more time. My friend, I hope you know that you are a friend that can never be replaced.
RIP, MY FRIEND,
JOHN R WELCH