Something that was sent through, perhaps by mistake, to those whom Jim e-mailed, but which is so beautiful that it's worth sharing - I hope the writer doesn't mind...

"Dear Friends...
Poland is devastated at the loss of Johnny: a dear personal friend to many, and unmatched guru to us all. The last few days were horrible; none of us could find ourselves a place -- and for the longest time we could not believe what happened. Today, shantymen and shantywomen all over the country mourn the great departed, dedicating their concerts to his memory. He will be with us always, the wholehearted friend of Poland and the Poles that he was.

We are proud to have been his and Joyce's friends and we do know that he departed the way a great shantyman would wish to depart: among the gorgeous tall ships, among dear friends and with the sea-shanty of the recent concert in a room packed with loving audience still reverberating in his mind.

Most importantly, however, we are proud to be a part of the international sea-song family: a part of you. May we always be for one another in times of grief, as we are in times of joy.

Fair winds and starry skies,