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Dedication of 25 Leaves of Remembrance in Ballard
It was a lovely bright fall afternoon Sunday, October 13, when almost 100 people gathered at the southwest corner of Ballard Commons Park to dedicate 25 new Leaves of Remembrance. Some were from the faith community, social services, and various professions. Many were homeless, there to honor friends loved and lost on the streets. One woman walked to Ballard from downtown Seattle, for the chance to see her friends publicly recognized with a bronze Leaf. Several people laid sprigs of rosemary on each friend’s Leaf. At the end of the day, every Leaf had a sprig of rosemary beside it. One man laid a lit cigarette by his friend’s Leaf. …
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Byron Barnes, 1965—2013
Byron Edwin Barnes was born February 4, 1965, and passed away on January 20, 2013 at age 47. Byron is survived by his beloved son Ben, a twin brother named Myron, and many brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces, aunties and uncles. Byron was Tlingit and an Alaska native. He was very proud and appreciative of his First Nations culture. He was known as the “Keeper of the Information” because he knew who was related to whom within the First Nations community. Friends recall Byron as a nice, respectful man with a big heart who loved to read. He loved his friends and was loved by his friends. His generosity and…
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Don Farquharson, 1961—2012
Don Farquharson passed away on November 17, 2012 at age 52. Don is survived by his son DJ. Don was of the Eskimo and Tlingit tribes, and a native of Alaska. He grew up in Juneau, Alaska and lived in Anchorage before coming to Seattle. He spent much of his life working as a longshoreman. Don’s nickname is “Don Juan Hoolio,” as mentioned by one of his close friends. Don’s friend, Byron Barnes remembered him as “caring, giving, and very intellectual. He will be dearly missed.” Besides Don’s kindness, strong work ethic, and engaging personality, he is also remembered for his 1980s extreme mullet, as well as his cleanliness. A…
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Michael “Mikey” Hall, 1956—2013
Michael’s Leaf is placed by Ballard Commons Park. If you have photos or memories of Michael, please leave a comment.
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Bradley Fernandez, 1964—2013
Bradley Fernandez was born in Yakima February 6, 1964. He died in Seattle on February 27, 2013, at the age of 49. Survivors include a daughter, Lana Delafuente of Yakima; his father, Frank Fernandez of Yakima; his mother, Judi Holt Udstuen of Fairfield, Calif.; his stepmother, Margaret Fernandez of Yakima; a brother, Brett Fernandez of Puyallup; a sister, Jodi Holt Campbell of Sacramento, Calif.; two stepbrothers, Mike Espeland of Fredericksburg, Va., and Scott Espeland of Yakima; a stepsister, Wendy Moore of Yakima; Bradley’s Leaf is placed by Ballard Commons Park. If you have photos or memories of Bradley, please leave a comment. Featured Leaf for February…
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Kenneth Gilfeather, 1959—2013
Kenneth Richard Gerard Gilfeather, aka “Gil” or “Gilly” was born on December 14, 1959 in Utica, New York. Gil passed away on March 23, 2013 in Seattle, where he had lived for 15 years. Gil is survived by a daughter, Kaitlyn Michelle and a son, Devon Patrick. He also leaves behind 3 brothers, 4 sisters, 10 nieces and nephews. Friends describe Gil fondly. “Gil was a friend just by the glance… No matter what time of day, Gil was always warm and welcoming.” “He should have been the Mayor of Ballard, instead Gilly was the Mayor of Friendship.” “He was always so friendly. The guy had so many different hats, and…
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Philip Keene, 1960—2013
Lifelong Seattle resident, proud uncle, believer, Patches Pal, wanderlust spirit, kind and caring heart, baseball enthusiast, and friend to many. Survived by his mom, Virginia of Seattle and the sisters he adored, Andrea (Jim) of Seattle and Dana (Ted) of Camano Island. His nephews Edward Ryan, Liam, Dylan, Luka and niece Ashlyn also survive. Phil will also be missed by his beloved Jen and her son Tyler as well as cousins, aunts, an uncle and brother-in-law. Predeceased by his sister, Leslie and his dad, Bob. “If anyone asks you where I’ve gone. Oh, don’t say where I am. Just say you saw me and I’m doin’ fine. ‘Cause I am…
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Ken Trygg, 1963—2011
Ken’s Leaf is placed by Ballard Commons Park. If you have photos or memories of Ken, please leave a comment.
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Charles Tompkins, 1961—2011
Charles Tompkins, 49, was found in the morning of March 5, 2011 by a friend. He had been lying in the same position for over 24 hours and police conclude he died from pneumonia. He died a few feet away from the parking lot to Ballard Locks on the 32nd block of 54th Street. Charles was a regular at the Ballard Food Bank but kept to himself, a community member said. He had been a brilliant man with a graduate degree before his mental health deteriorated and he stopped talking to people. Women in Black held a silent witnessing vigil on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, for Charles, and a special…
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Thomas Mumby, 1949—2011
Thomas Mumby was found dead at 61, on April 21, 2011, at the corner of NW 56th St and 24th NW Avenue in Ballard. He was found slumped over the driver’s seat of a van he had apparently been sleeping in. Thomas’s Leaf is placed by Ballard Commons Park. If you have photos or memories of Thomas, please leave a comment. Featured Leaf April 2023
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Mark Jacobsen, 1955—2009
Mark’s Leaf is placed by Ballard Commons Park. If you have photos or memories of Mark, please leave a comment.
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Daniel Nelson, 1946—2009
Daniel J Nelson was born on February 26, 1946 and died on January 11, 2009 at the age of 62. His last home was in Puyallup, Washington. Daniel’s Leaf is placed by Ballard Commons Park. If you have photos or memories of Daniel, please leave a comment.
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Matthew Korpinen, 1969—2008
On March 2, 2008, Matthew Scott Korpinen was found beaten to death, lying near his truck at 17th Avenue Northwest and Northwest 48th Street. Matthew’s Leaf is placed by Ballard Commons Park. If you have photos or memories of Matthew, please leave a comment.
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Stanley Sorenson, 1939—2008
Stanley’s Leaf is placed by Ballard Commons Park. If you have photos or memories of Stanley, please leave a comment.
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Paul Walling, 1950—2008
Paul’s Leaf is placed by Ballard Commons Park. If you have photos or memories of Paul, please leave a comment.
