Don Wolz

Don is a dear friend of mine. I can't get myself to say 'was' because I just haven't accepted the fact yet that he passed. I have many, many memories of him, all of them great! He is my friend, but more than that, an older brother type if that makes sense. I shot pool with Don since the late 80's early 90's meeting him through my dear friend Gary. Don and I shot pool on teams with Gary, Jen, Chris, Vic, and many many more over the years. We would stay out late and talk after pool and we even found time to share a beer or twenty on occasion. Don could cut through a drab, sad moment with a one-liner that would put the room in stitches. His sense of humor was one of his strong points only out shadowed by his love of family and his enduring friendships. Quick story: My family planned a trip to Texas one year and of our 5 stop tour, I made sure one was to San Antonio. We took the kids to the Alamo and then went to lunch when Don surprised us by meeting us there. It was already set that we would meet up that night to shoot pool but Nancy would stay at the hotel to watch the kids. Don felt the need to meet us at lunch to at least say hello to Nancy since she wouldn't be joining us that evening. Don was in San Antonio by himself as he just relocated and Sandy was still in the house in Joliet. When I went to his place I heard the TV on and looked in the window only to find him asleep on the recliner. I walked back to the vehicle and started to leave. I thought, Don would kick my ass if I left. I pulled back into the parking spot, walked up to the door and lightly knocked. He didn't wake up, I thought again about leaving, but walking around with 'ONID' on my sixhead (I'm bald, much larger than a forehead) didn't seem like a good idea so I went back to the door. 'ONID' would be Don punching me and the 'DINO' tattoo from his fingers being imprinted on my sixhead backwards. I then rang the doorbell and he jumped out of the recliner like he was shot out of a cannon. We went out for the night shooting pool, telling stories, catching up and drinking lots of water. Hey, there is water in beer you know. At the end of the night, Don asked me to take the pool cue home that I was shooting with but I just couldn't. I said it belongs to your children or grandkids. I could go on and on with memories and stories but I'm sure I've already put a few of you to sleep. Jenny/Chris, Kim and family, I hope to see you again sometime soon to hug the stuffing out of you and tell you how much I care about Don. Gary/Lynn, and family, I'll see you all again soon and break down and cry like a little kid when I do. To you Mr. Wolz.....Don.....my friend!! I know you're in Heaven and I know I'll see you there someday since the devil has a restraining order on me. I'll rack them up when I see you. We'll laugh and reminisce about the old times, maybe even share some water.